Joseph MacNaughton Waterman, Jr.
First Lieutenant Joseph M. “Joe Pot” Waterman, Jr., was a Marine pilot who flew with VMSB-141.
He was reported missing in action after a mission to Kokumbona, Guadalcanal, on 16 October 1942.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number O-8053
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
May 8, 1919
at Richmond, VA
Parents
Rev. Joseph M. Waterman, Sr.
Louise Kyle (Baldwin) Waterman
Education
Episcopal High School (1938)
Virginia Polytechnic Institute (ex-1942)
Occupation & Employer
College student
Service Life
Entered Service
June 6, 1941 (enlisted)
December 13, 1941 (commission)
Home Of Record
1316 Market Street
Parkersburg, WV
Next Of Kin
Father, Rev. Joseph Waterman Sr.
Military Specialty
Pilot
Campaigns Served
Solomon Islands / Guadalcanal
Individual Decorations
Distinguished Flying Cross
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
First Lieutenant Joseph Waterman was a pilot assigned to VMSB-141, a Marine dive-bombing squadron stationed on Guadalcanal. He arrived at Henderson Field on 23 September 1942 and quickly racked up an impressive mission tally. Waterman was particularly adept at attacking shipping, and was credited with a hit and several near misses on Japanese warships and transports. Despite several close calls, including a determined attack by a Zero on 2 October and flak damage on 10 October he managed to return in one piece.*
On the morning of 16 October 1942, the Cactus Air Force staged a series of strikes against Japanese troops landing near the village of Kokumbona. Waterman piloted SBD Dauntless #03254 on the second strike; in the rear seat was Sergeant Frank Komzak. 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.
Joseph Waterman was posthumously promoted to the rank of captain.
*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 was the unfortunate American pilot. 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 father, Rev. Joseph M. Waterman, Sr.
Location Of Loss
Waterman and Komzak were shot down in the vicinity of Kokumbona (Kakambona), Guadalcanal.
