 For conspicuous leadership above and beyond the call of duty involving personal valor and intrepidity at an extreme hazard to life . As commander of the V Bomber Command during the period from 5 September 1942 , to 5 January 1943 , Brigadier General Walker repeatedly accompanied his units on bombing missions deep into enemy @-@ held territory . From the lessons personally gained under combat conditions , he developed a highly efficient technique for bombing when opposed by enemy fighter airplanes and by antiaircraft fire . On 5 January 1943 , in the face of extremely heavy antiaircraft fire and determined opposition by enemy fighters , he led an effective daylight bombing attack against the shipping in the harbor at Rabaul , New Britain , which resulted in direct hits on 9 enemy vessels . During this action his airplane was disabled and forced down by the attack of an overwhelming number of enemy fighters . 
