KENNETH N. WALKER
AIRPOWER'S UNTEMPERED CRUSADER
BY MARTHA BYRD

“This biography of Brig Gen Kenneth N. Walker provides an in-depth look at the career of one of airpower’s pioneer thinkers. Martha Byrd traces Walker’s emergence from one of the early converts to airpower to his role as a key player in the formation of strategic bombardment doctrine. Her look at his performance in the Southwest Pacific theater during World War II gives us a deep insight into Walker’s place in history as an innovator in the employment of airpower. Byrd not only highlights Walker’s accomplishments but also provides a look at his often stormy relationships with fellow officers and in his personal life.”

Kenneth N. Walker was an instructor and champion for the theory of daylight precision bombing at the Air Corps Tactical School (ACTS) in the 1930s. He was also one of the authors of the famous Air War Plans Division, Plan 1 (AWPD-1).

Kenneth Walker became the Commanding Officer of the Fifth Bomber Command, officially started in Townsville on 3 September 1942. General Walker soon clashed with General George C. Kenney over bombing tactics and procedures.

General Walker was later killed on an operational mission to Rabaul on 5 January 1943. Their B-17 Flying Fortress #41-24453 from the 64th Squadron of the 43rd Bomb Group, was shot down by Japanese fighter aircraft.

To order your copy of "Kenneth N. Walker
Airpower's Untempered Crusader",
please send  $15.00 (US) to:-

AIR UNIVERSITY PRESS, AUL/LP,
131 WEST SHUMACHER AVE,
MAXWELL AFB
AL 36112-6615,
USA.

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This page first produced 21 December 2006

This page last updated 21 January 2020