Albert Augustine Altfillisch

Corporal Albert Altfillisch joined VMTB-143 in the summer of 1943, and participated in the squadron’s first combat tour in the Solomon Islands. His second tour began in January 1944, when the flight echelon moved to Piva Uncle Airfield on Bougainville to continue the air campaign against Rabaul. Altfillisch manned the radio in an Avenger bomber flown by First Lieutenant Ward K. Harris, with Corporal John V. McDonald on 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.