Purple Heart Certificate to Ensign Walter Mosley who was killed in action on June 4th, 1942. Walter Harold Mosley, known as Harold, was born to Walter Monroe Mosley and Maude M McMillan. His parents were married in Bell county, TX on August 20, 1905. He had two siblings, Frankie (female), and Lealer M. Mosley. Harold graduated from Austin High School in 1934. He began his college education at the University of Texas (UTEP) College of Mines and Metallurgy in 1934 and obtained a degree in Business Administration and Economics in 1938. During his college years, he was involved in extracurricular activities such as the Academic Association, Pre-Law Society, and participated in the school's band.Walter Harold Mosley enlisted in the US Naval Reserve (NSN: 407-30-14) on February 12, 1940, in Dallas, TX, as a V-5 Seaman 2/c, USNR. He started his aviation training at the US Naval Reserve Aviation Base in Miami (Opa-Locka), FL in February 1940. After successfully completing his initial training, he was transferred to inactive duty in March 1940, awaiting further orders. In June 1940, he received orders to report to the Commandant of Naval Air Station (NAS) in Pensacola, FL, where he began his flight training as an Aviation Cadet. He earned his designation as a Naval Aviator in December 1940 and was commissioned as an Ensign in the US Naval Reserve (A-VN) on January 20, 1941.Ensign Mosley was assigned to Patrol Squadron 22, based at Ford Field during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. In January 1942, his squadron was deployed to Darwin, Australia, to support the Allied efforts against the Japanese advance in Southeast Asia. He was part of a seaplane tender, the USS William B. Preston (AVD-7), and conducted patrols in the Java Sea and nearby waters to monitor Japanese movements.On February 19, 1942, during a patrol mission with Lt. Thomas H. Moorer, their plane was attacked by nine Japanese fighters. Despite the plane being in flames and heavily damaged, they skillfully landed it. Ensign Mosley was wounded during the attack. They were rescued by the American merchant ship FLORENCE D., but later, the ship was attacked by Japanese carrier planes. Survivors, including Mosley, made it to Bathurst Island and were later rescued by the Australian sub-chaser HMAS ARRANAMBOOL.Ensign Mosley returned to the United States for convalescent leave in March 1942. On April 21, 1942, he was a passenger aboard the USS Wharton (AP-7) en route from San Francisco to Hawaii to serve with VP-44.Patrol Squadron Forty-four (VP-44) flew long-range reconnaissance missions and was based at Midway. On June 4, 1942, Ensign Mosley was aboard a PBY-5A Catalina when it reported contact with enemy ships and was attacked by Japanese floatplanes. The PBY was set on fire, and despite their best efforts, the plane crashed. Mosley was killed during the attack, along with other crew members.His remains were unrecoverable, and he was officially declared missing in action on June 4, 1942, and presumed dead on June 5, 1943.Ensign Mosley received several posthumous awards, including the Silver Star for his gallant and intrepid conduct during the air action on February 19, 1942, as well as the Purple Heart for his injuries on that day. He also received the American Campaign Medal, American Defense Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three battle stars, and the World War II Victory Medal.