John Joseph Pudil
PFC John J. Pudil was a Marine aviator with VMTB-233.
He was shot down over Simpson Harbor, Rabaul, on 14 February 1944.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 813818
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
August 14, 1924
at St. Paul, MN
Parents
John George Pudil
Anna Frances (Seidl) Pudil
Education
Details unknown
Occupation & Employer
Swift & Company Meat Packers
Service Life
Entered Service
January 28, 1943
at Minneapolis, MN
Home Of Record
1906 Stryker Avenue
St. Paul, MN
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Anna Pudil
Military Specialty
Aviation radioman / gunner
Primary Unit
VMTB-233
Campaigns Served
Northern Solomons
Individual Decorations
Air Medal
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
On 14 February 1944, VMTB-233 ordered a mission to lay mines in Rabaul’s Simpson Harbor. Dropping a Mark 12 naval mine from an Avenger required slow speed and low altitude, so planners decided to send three separate waves at one-hour intervals under cover of darkness. Group C – which included pilot 1Lt. James L. Fowler, radioman PFC John J. Pudil, and turret gunner Private Cecil M. White in Plane #115 – departed Piva airfield at 0230 for the ninety-minute flight to Rabaul.
Unfortunately for the attackers, Japanese spotlight crews were on the alert – and “very accurate in picking up the planes and keeping them in the light.” Anti-aircraft gunners were also primed and ready, having battled two previous waves of attackers. Group C was badly mauled with three Avengers, including Fowler’s #115 (TBF-1C 25327), failing to return to base. VMTB-233 lost a total of six Avengers and eighteen Marines on the disastrous mission.
The entire crew of #115 was declared dead on 15 February 1945. Fowler was awarded a posthumous Distinguished Flying Cross, while Pudil and White received Air Medals.
Burial Information or Disposition
None; remains not recovered.
Other Marines lost on this mission were subsequently identified from Finschhafen Cemetery #5; Pudil may be among the remains yet to be investigated.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Anna Pudil.
Location Of Loss
Plane #115 was lost in the vicinity of Simpson Harbor, south of Rabaul.
