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Shaun Thomas (Underdog), OSC
to remember
Ainsworth, Walden Lee, VADM USN(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Minneapolis, MN
Last Address Wonalancet, NH
Date of Passing Aug 07, 1960
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
Wall/Plot Coordinates 4717-A-RH
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
After returning to the United States in the summer of 1945, Vice Admiral Ainsworth commanded the Fifth Naval District until retiring on December 1, 1948. He made his retirement home at Wonalancet, New Hampshire . He was buried with full military honors in Section 2 of Arlington National Cemetery. His wife, Katherine Gardner Ainsworth (1888-1973) is buried with him.
Other Comments:
Navy Distinguished Service Medal Awarded for actions during the World War II
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Walden Lee Ainsworth (NSN: 0-7248), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. During the period from 10 December 1942 until 18 July 1943, Rear Admiral Ainsworth has been in command of Task Forces operating as a part of the South Pacific Force. The forces under his command have conducted many offensive operations in this area; such included repeated bombardment of enemy installations, the interception and defeat of enemy forces operating in the Solomons Area, and culminated by the two successful night engagements in Kula Gulf in the month of July. These operations have all been conducted in the face of determined enemy resistance and the forces under his command have been repeatedly subjected to enemy submarine, surface, and air attack. The success of many operations in the Solomon Islands has been, to a large degree, due to the energetic and courageous leadership of Rear Admiral Ainsworth. General Orders: Commander South Pacific: Serial 2667 (August 2, 1943) Action Date: December 10, 1942 - July 18, 1943 Service: Navy Rank: Rear Admiral
Navy Cross Awarded for actions during the World War II
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Rear Admiral Walden Lee Ainsworth (NSN: 0-7248), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Task Force Commander, Task Group 36.1, in offensive action against enemy Japanese forces in the Kula Gulf, Solomon Islands, on 5 and 6 July 1943. On 5 July 1943, Admiral Ainsworth gallantly led his Task Force into the restricted and submarine infested waters where, in the face of enemy gun and torpedo fire, he directed the bombardment of shore batteries and installations which covered the landings by our troops. Twenty-four hours later, he again led his ships against a Japanese force of approximately ten vessels. The skillful and accurate fire of his Task Force sank or severely damaged all of the enemy units. His outstanding leadership, brilliant tactics, and courageous conduct throughout the engagements contributed immeasurably to the destruction of the enemy forces and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. General Orders: Commander South Pacific Force and Area: Serial 2471 (July 19, 1943) Action Date: July 5 & 6, 1943 Service: Navy Rank: Rear Admiral Company: Task Force Commander Division: Task Group 36.1
Legion of Merit with Combat "V" Awarded for actions during the World War II
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" to Rear Admiral Walden Lee Ainsworth (NSN: 0-7248), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during the assault and occupation of an enemy-held island objective in World War II. Rear Admiral Ainsworth commanded the fire support group which bombarded the objective prior to, during and subsequent to the assault by our forces. By his personal leadership, his skillful handling of his ship, and his thorough knowledge of amphibious fire support problems he caused his ships to render accurate and devastating naval gunfire support to our assault troops, and contributed in a large degree to the successful capture of the island. His outstanding conduct and services were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Rear Admiral Ainsworth is authorized to wear the Combat "V".) General Orders: Commander Amphibious Forces Pacific: Serial 1729 (September 19, 1944) Action Date: World War II Service: Navy
Legion of Merit Awarded for actions during the World War II
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral Walden Lee Ainsworth (NSN: 0-7248), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander Destroyers and Commander Cruisers, United States Pacific Fleet, from October 1944 to July 1945. He displayed exceptional ability and aggressiveness in handling the organization and administration of the cruisers, destroyers, destroyer escorts and patrol frigates under his command during a period when these ships were playing a most vital part in an unprecedented offensive against a ruthless and fanatic enemy. His sound judgment and experience were of great value in providing for the servicing of these ships in Forward Areas. In addition, he handled the countless detailed problems of his command, including the supervision of training programs, with the greatest efficiency. His professional excellence, energetic initiative, and devotion to duty were strong determining factors in the successful prosecution of the war against the Japanese Empire, and were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. General Orders: Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 33918 (July 14, 1945) Action Date: October 1944 - July 1945 Service: Navy Rank: Rear Admiral
Mariana and Palau Islands Campaign (1944)/Battle of Angaur
From Month/Year
September / 1944
To Month/Year
October / 1944
Description The Battle of Angaur was a battle of the Pacific campaign in World War II, fought on the island of Angaur in the Palau Islands from 17 September—22 October 1944. This battle was part of a larger offensive campaign known as Operation Forager which ran from June 1944 to November 1944 in the Pacific Theater of Operations, and Operation Stalemate II in particular.
Bombardment of Angaur by the battleship Tennessee, four cruisers, and forty Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers from the aircraft carrier Wasp began on 11 September 1944. Six days later on 17 September, the U.S. 81st Infantry Division—commanded by Major General Paul J. Mueller—landed on the northeast and southeast coasts. Both RCTs were counterattacked during the night. Both RCTs linked up the next day. By the end of the third day, 19 Sept., the main area of Japanese resistance was to the northeast around Romauldo Hill, so the 323rd RCT was sent to Ulithi.
Resistance stiffened as the Americans advanced on "the Bowl", a hill near Lake Salome in the northwest of the island where the Japanese planned to make their last stand, after the rest of Angaur and Saipan town were taken. There was another small position where the Japanese had about 400 soldiers in a defense at the southeast corner of the island, around Beach Green, that was neutralized on September 20 after 2 days of harsh fighting and about 300 U.S. casualties.
From 20 September, the 322nd Infantry Regiment repeatedly attacked the Bowl, but the 750 defenders repulsed them with artillery, mortars, grenades and machine guns. Gradually, hunger, thirst, and American shellfire and bombing took their toll on the Japanese, and by 25 September the Americans had penetrated the Bowl. Rather than fight for possession of the caves, they used bulldozers to seal the entrances. By 30 September, the island was said to be secure although the Japanese still had about 300 more soldiers in the Bowl and surrounding areas that held out for almost four more weeks. Toward the end of the first week of October, 1944, the protracted conflict had degenerated into minor patrol action with sniping, ambushing, and extensive booby-trapping employed by both sides.
The island's defense commander, Major Goto was killed on 19 October fighting to keep possession of a cave.[1]:70–71 The last day of fighting was October 22 with a total of 36 days of fighting and blasting the Japanese resistance from their caves with explosives, tanks, artillery and flamethrowers. The 81 Infantry Division had finally taken the whole of Angaur, albeit suffering more casualties than they had inflicted.
