Ward Keith Harris

Lieutenant Ward K. Harris joined VMTB-143 at Espiritu Santo towards the end of 1943, shortly after the squadron completed a combat tour in the Solomon Islands. He entered the combat zone in January; the flight echelon moved to Munda Airfield on New Georgia, then flew to newly-captured Piva Uncle Airfield on Bougainville to fly strikes against bases in the northern Solomons and around Rabaul. Harris’ regular crew consisted of Corporal Albert A. Altfillisch on the radio and Corporal John V. McDonald manning the turret guns.

On 22 February 1944, VMTB-143 sent 23 Avengers on a Rabaul strike. They were joined en route by 47 SBD dive bombers and 59 fighters for escort. The massive formation flew over Rabaul and Simpson Harbor before bearing down on Japanese ships and buildings at Keravia Bay. Despite “intense, accurate” antiaircraft fire, only five Avengers suffered any damage. Four were lightly hit and made the return flight. The fifth – Bureau Number 47544, painted with squadron number 118 – had a wing blown completely off and slammed into the waters of Keravia Bay. No parachutes were seen, and eyewitnesses doubted that Harris, Altfillisch, or McDonald survived the crash. Some thought that the damage was caused by the Avenger’s own bomb blast, but this was never confirmed.

All three Marines were reported missing in action after the mission and ultimately declared dead on 23 February 1945.