Brigadier General Kenneth Newton Walker (ASN: 0-12510), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States in the Operations Division of the War Department in 1942.
On September 28, 1943, his Legion of Merit was presented to his youngest son, Douglas Walker by Brig. General William E. Lund during a ceremony at Grand Central Air Terminal in Glendale, California.
“General’s Son Gets Medal for Missing Father.” The Los Angeles Times, 28 September 1943, p. 11.
On a little boy’s bright blue jacket Brig. Gen. William E. Lynd, chief of the 4th Air Force, yesterday pinned the cross of the Legion of Merit.
Then the general straightened before the stern little boy and whipped his hand up in a smart salute.
Finally the band began to play and the 10-year-old stood stiffly beside the general and watched the Air Force troops of the Grand Central Air Terminal detachment parade in review.
Of what was he thinking?
Undoubtedly of his father – Brig. Gen. Kenneth Walker – who disappeared Jan, 5 in a Liberator [sic Flying Fortress] on a mission to Raboul [sic Rabaul].
He thought, too, of his brother beside him, 16-year-old Kenneth Walker Jr., who last March received the Congressional Medal of Honor in his father’s name from the hands of President Roosevelt.
Now, bending his head slightly to glance at the medal, he thought of the work his father had done in the war plans division to merit this honor.
Not until the large bomber droned low overhead did Douglas Walker look up – and his pride was there for all to see.
United Press. “Boy Receives Honor His Father Hero was Given.” Anaheim Bulletin, 28 September 1943, p. 1.
Los Angeles, Sept. 28 (U.P.) – Douglas Walker, 10, today proudly displayed the Cross of the Legion of Merit awarded him in the name of his father, Brig. Gen. Kenneth Walker, missing in action over Rabaul.
The medal was presented by Brig. Gen. William E. Lund, chief of the Fourth Air Force, at formal ceremonies at Grand Central Air Terminal [Glendale, CA].
Also present were Douglas’ mother, and another son, Kenneth, 16. Kenneth received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his father from President Roosevelt last March.
General Walker disappeared Jan. 5 on a bombing mission to Rabaul.