Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

US Distinguished Service Cross awarded for extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of a Medal of Honor"

"The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Ian W. Walker, Lieutenant, Australian Imperial Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy near Buna, New Guinea, on 5 December 1942. During an attack on strongly held enemy positions in which a Bren Gun Carrier Section was put out of action, Lieutenant Walker went forward under heavy enemy fire to the disabled carriers, which were located about half way between the enemy and our own lines, to remove the guns and ammunition from the disabled carriers. After he had reached the first three carriers and removed the guns and ammunition, he ordered nearby gunners to keep up their fire and told the enlisted men, who had accompanied him, to return to our lines. Lieutenant Walker then went forward, armed with a submachine gun and under heavy enemy fire, in an attempt to reach a fourth gun carrier to save the guns and ammunition from it. He was mortally wounded during this action and died shortly after returning to our lines." - Headquarters: South West Pacific Area, General Orders No. 7 (January 15, 1943)