Richard Donald Haring
Second Lieutenant Richard D. Haring was a Marine fighter pilot who flew with VMF-212.
He was killed in action at Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 13 September 1942.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number O-8634
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
November 10, 1916
at Worcester, MA
Parents
Harry David Haring
Margaret (Gilmore) Haring
Education
Muskegon High School (1935)
Western State Teachers College
Occupation & Employer
Details unknown
Service Life
Entered Service
May 20, 1941 (enlisted)
February 9, 1942 (officer)
Home Of Record
1771 Getty Street
Muskegon, MI
Next Of Kin
Parents, Harry & Margaret Haring
Military Specialty
Pilot
Primary Unit
VMF-212
Campaigns Served
Solomon Islands / Guadalcanal
Individual Decorations
Distinguished Flying Cross
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Second Lieutenant Richard Haring was a Marine fighter pilot assigned to VMF-212, the “Hell Hounds,” stationed at Efate. On 12 September 1942, he was temporarily detached from his squadron to help ferry replacement Wildcats to the hard-pressed “Cactus Air Force” on Guadalcanal. From his home field, Haring shuttled out to a carrier (either Wasp or Hornet), and took off early on the morning of 13 September. A total of eighteen Wildcats touched down at Henderson Field at 0730, and the tired ferry pilots were glad to rest and catch up with buddies on the ‘Canal.
Two hours later, the alert sounded and pilots raced for waiting planes. Eager for his first combat action, Lieutenant Haring climbed into one of the new Wildcats, fired up the engine, and took to the sky with his Hell Hound section leader 2Lt. Jack Conger. As the fighters climbed for altitude, Haring’s aircraft was seen to suddenly pitch forward into a dive, then crash full-bore into a hillside some ten miles southwest of Henderson Field. He was killed on impact.
A faulty oxygen system – a well-known hazard to experienced Cactus pilots – was blamed for Haring’s sudden crash. He was decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross:
For heroism and extraordinary achievement while attached to a Marine Fighting Squadron in action against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on September 13, 142. In spite of the fact that he had just completed a long, tiring, and difficult over-water flight, Second Lieutenant HARING after delivering a new fighter plane to Guadalcanal, immediately volunteered to intercept a formation of twenty-eight enemy bombers and twenty fighters. Flying an unassigned combat plane, he took off after the Japanese forces. His fervent desire to engage the enemy and courageous devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Burial Information or Disposition
One week after the fatal crash, a scout patrol under coastwatcher Ashton “Snowy” Rhoades discovered Haring’s wrecked Wildcat. They reported the find to Henderson Field, and were told to “destroy plane, bury body, and retain effects.”
This is the last known sighting of Haring’s remains, which presumably still rest where they were buried on Guadalcanal.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of parents, Harry & Margaret Haring.
Location Of Loss
Approximate location of Haring’s crash site: a hillside about 10 miles SW of Henderson Field, Guadalcanal.
