Albert Harlan Pharr
Captain Albert H. Pharr was a Marine fighter pilot with VMF-216.
He was lost in a storm during an escort mission to Vunakanau, Rabaul area, 16 February 1944.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number O-11924
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
December 1, 1917
at Donalsonville, GA
Parents
Rev. Edward Theodore “Theo” Pharr
Minna (Gillis) Pharr
Education
Mercer University 1939
Occupation & Employer
Enlisted from college
Service Life
Entered Service
September 13, 1941 (enlisted)
July 22, 1942 (officer)
Home Of Record
Unadilla, GA
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Minna Pharr
Military Specialty
Pilot
Primary Unit
VMF-216
Campaigns Served
Northern Solomons
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
Pharr served in the National Guard from 16 September 1940 until enlisting as an aviation cadet.
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Albert Pharr, a pre-war National Guardsman who earned his wings and Marine Corps commission at NATC Miami in 1942, had an unusually varied flying career. Originally posted to VMF-123 as a fighter pilot, he transferred to VMD-254 (a long-range reconnaissance outfit) and VMO-155, a scouting squadron. He finally deployed overseas with VMF-216, a fighter squadron, and began his combat career flying patrol missions in the northern Solomons towards the end of 1943.
On 16 February 1944, VMF-216 supplied four divisions as an escort for B-24 bombers attacking Vunakanau Airdrome near Rabaul. The weather was extremely poor, forcing pilots to fly on instruments and scattering the bombers. Clouds obscured the target, so the B-24s dropped their bombs blindly and turned for home. On the return flight, Captains Pharr and Downs of VMF-216 became separated from the rest of their squadron. Over Cape St. George, they spotted two massive, unavoidable thunderheads. Downs went straight ahead, while Pharr tried to fly between the clouds.
After he was “bounced around considerably” for two minutes, Downs broke through into clear sky and began looking for Pharr. Finding himself alone, he returned to base to report the incident. Repeated searchers for the missing pilot returned no results.
No trace of Pharr or his Corsair, F4U-1 #17991, was ever found. He was ultimately declared dead on 17 February 1945.
Burial Information or Disposition
None; remains not recovered.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of parents, Reverend Theo and Minna Pharr
Location Of Loss
Pharr was last seen entering storm clouds southeast of Cape St. George.
