THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT

WALSH Thomas James

58108, Sergeant, 35 Battalion

CITATION

Distinguished Conduct Medal

Gazetted 20 January 1944

Sergeant Walsh performed outstanding work as a patrol leader right through the operations carried out by 35 NZ Battalion in the northern portion of Vella Lavella during the period 28 September – 2 October 1943.  Repeatedly, and at great personal risk, he pushed forward and gained information of the utmost value.  His uncanny bush sense, combined with absolute disregard for his own safety, enabled him to pin-point enemy machine-gun positions on at least three occasions.  The result was that the artillery were able to concentrate on these positions and thereby enable the infantry to move forward without heavy casualties.  He set a standard of leadership of the highest order

KNOWN AWARDS

Distinguished Conduct Medal

1939-45 Star

Pacific Star

Defence Medal

War Medal 1939-45

New Zealand War Service Medal

NOTES

Born: 5 April 1914, New Zealand

Died 25 May 2003 (Death recorded as James Thomas WALSH)