Harold William Bauer-Grain Valley, MO
Posted by: 
Don.Morfe
N 39° 03.504 W 094° 13.464
15S E 394062 N 4323970
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient for action at Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands in 1942. He was killed in action and his remains were never recovered. He has a cenotaph marker in Swan Lake Memorial Park, Grain Valley, MO.
Waymark Code: WMY2ZP
Location: Missouri, United States
Date Posted: 04/10/2018
Views: 1
He was born on November 20, 1908 in Woodruff, Kansas. His nickname was Indian Joe. He was Squadron Commander/Pilot of F-4F Grumman Wildcat in Marine Fighting Squadron 212. He was killed in action on November 16, 1942, 15 miles north of Russell Island, Solomon Islands. His plane was forced down due to lack of fuel and crashed into the ocean. His Medal of Honor information and citation is: *BAUER, HAROLD WILLIAM
• Rank and organization: Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps.
Citation: For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous courage as Squadron Commander of Marine Fighting Squadron 212 in the South Pacific Area during the period 10 May to 14 November 1942. Volunteering to pilot a fighter plane in defense of our positions on Guadalcanal, Lt. Col. Bauer participated in 2 air battles against enemy bombers and fighters outnumbering our force more than 2 to 1, boldly engaged the enemy and destroyed 1 Japanese bomber in the engagement of 28 September and shot down 4 enemy fighter planes in flames on 3 October, leaving a fifth smoking badly. After successfully leading 26 planes on an over-water ferry flight of more than 600 miles on 16 October, Lt. Col. Bauer, while circling to land, sighted a squadron of enemy planes attacking the U.S.S. McFarland. Undaunted by the formidable opposition and with valor above and beyond the call of duty, he engaged the entire squadron and, although alone and his fuel supply nearly exhausted, fought his plane so brilliantly that 4 of the Japanese planes were destroyed before he was forced down by lack of fuel. His intrepid fighting spirit and distinctive ability as a leader and an airman, exemplified in his splendid record of combat achievement, were vital factors in the successful operations in the South Pacific Area.
Armed Service: Marines
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