Lived: July 1920 – April 1945

Children: None

Lieutenant (jg) Richard “Dickie” John Walsh Jr. was born in Philadelphia, PA on June 26, 1920, to Richard J. and Nelly Bradley Walsh. His family moved to Phoenix in June of 1923 and Dickie graduated from Phoenix Union High School in June of 1937. He returned to Philadelphia to attend the Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania. Dickie was a champion ping pong player while there.

He enlisted in the U.S. Naval Air Corp. in October 1941 and was given a deferral until graduation in the summer of 1942. Dickie received his commission at Corpus Christi, Texas and then went to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida for advance training. While in Ft. Lauderdale he married Grace Elizabeth Beardsley of Philadelphia on February 18, 1943.

Dickie last visited his family in Phoenix on September 27. 1944. He flew his plane from North Island, San Diego Naval Air Station to Sky Harbor. He circled the family home at 127 W. Granada Road to announce his arrival.

He served as a Grumman Avenger Torpedo plane pilot and served on the Aircraft Carrier Bunker Hill and was serving on the USS Enterprise in April of 1945. He served in the Pacific, participating in the Marina’s campaign and many of the succeeding Pacific Island Battles. Lt. (jg) Richard J. Walsh Jr. was assigned to Torpedo Squadron Air Group 84 at the time of his death.

Lt. (jg) Richard John Walsh Jr. was killed in action on April 7, 1945 in an attack on the Japanese Super battleship Yamoto which was sunk in the attack.

Thanks to Tim Walsh for this story.