Frank Phillip Komzak
Sergeant Frank P. Komzak was a Marine aviator who flew with VMSB-141.
He was reported missing in action after a mission to Kokumbona, Guadalcanal, on 16 October 1942.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 289051
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
May 26, 1922
at Cleveland, OH
Parents
Anthony Komzak
Barbara (Liska) Komzak
Education
Grammar school
Occupation & Employer
Carpenter
Service Life
Entered Service
July 22, 1940
at Cleveland, OH
Home Of Record
3481 West 52nd Street
Cleveland, OH
Next Of Kin
Parents, Anthony & Barbara Komzak
Military Specialty
Aviation radioman / gunner
Campaigns Served
Solomon Islands / Guadalcanal
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Frank Komzak was an aviator assigned to VMSB-141, a Marine dive-bombing squadron stationed on Guadalcanal. He flew in the rear seat of Dauntless dive bombers, and for his abilities in the field was rewarded with a promotion to sergeant on 15 October 1942.
On the very next morning, the Cactus Air Force staged a series of strikes against Japanese troops landing near the village of Kokumbona. Komzak manned the radio and rear guns of SBD Dauntless #03254 on the second strike; his pilot for the mission was 1Lt. Joseph M. Waterman, Jr. Waterman and Komzak were not usually paired for flight missions, and would have little time to get to know each other in the air.
The first strike caught the Japanese by surprise – but they were ready for the second. Anti-aircraft fire rose to meet the five SBDs, and struck home on Waterman’s bomber. The two Marines never returned to base, and were reported as missing in action following the raid. Both were ultimately declared dead on 17 October 1943.
*Note: In First Team and the Guadalcanal Campaign, John B. Lundstrum describes a dogfight on 2 October between the Japanese 6th Air Group and a lone Dauntless flying and anti-submarine patrol. PO1c Ema Tomokazu claimed a bomber shot down in this encounter; Lundstrom implies that Waterman and Komzak were the unfortunate American crew. While the MAG-23 war diary notes that Waterman was attacked by a Zero on 2 October, he was on different mission and returned safely. PO1c Tomokazu’s victim may have been 2Lt. Edward W. Ayres of VMSB-141.
Burial Information or Disposition
None; remains not recovered.
Memorials
Next Of Kin Address
Address of parents, Anthony & Barbara Komzak.
Location Of Loss
Waterman and Komzak were shot down in the vicinity of Kokumbona (Kakambona), Guadalcanal.