Clinton McClarty Harbison, Jr.
Second Lieutenant Clinton M. “Bobo” Harbison, Jr., was a Marine dive-bomber pilot who flew with VMSB-151.
He was killed in an operational accident near Wallis Island on 20 September 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number O-23021
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.​
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
July 4, 1920
at Louisville, KY
Parents
Clinton McClarty Harbison, Sr.
Dorothea (Mann) Harbison
Education
Episcopal High School (1938)
University of Virginia (1942)
Occupation & Employer
College Student
Service Life
Entered Service
April 15, 1942 (enlisted)
May 7, 1943 (officer)
Home Of Record
Winchester Pike
Louisville, KY
Next Of Kin
Father, Mr. Clinton Harbison
Military Specialty
Pilot
Primary Unit
VMSB-151
Campaigns Served
—
Individual Decorations
—
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Clinton joined the Navy Reserve in April of 1942; after graduating from UVA’s College of Arts and Sciences, he reported for active duty and entered pre-flight training. He earned his wings and his commission as a Marine second lieutenant at NATC Pensacola on 7 May 1943. As a newly qualified dive bomber pilot, Harbison deployed to the Pacific as a member of VMSB-151, part of the 4th Marine Base Defense Air Wing stationed at Wallis Island.
On 20 September 1943, 2Lt. Harbison was piloting one of his squadron’s SBD-4 Dauntless dive bombers on a routine non-combat flight. He was accompanied by a veteran radio/gunner, SSgt. Lawrence R. Dickson. At 1350 hours, for reasons unknown, the aircraft crashed into the sea and exploded on impact. No parachutes were seen, and the wreckage sank before bodies could be recovered.
Burial Information or Disposition
None; remains not recovered.
According to the AviationArchaeology database, VMSB-151 lost two SBD-4 bombers on 20 September 1943: Bureau Number 06907 and Bureau Number 06910. It is not clear which aircraft was flown by Harbison and Dickson.
Next Of Kin Address
The Harbisons lived on Winchester Pike (now Winchester Road) outside of Lexington, Kentucky.
Location Of Loss
Harbison and Dickson crashed at sea somewhere near Wallis Island.
My father was this man’s roommate and teammate at Episcopal High School. They were dear friends and I have a framed photo of Lt. Clinton M. Harrison that my father kept on display atop his dresser his entire life along with his own USAF photos. I now have the photo and am wondering if there are any family members out there? I’d like to send the photo to someone who might appreciate and treasure it as my father did. Thank you for any assistance.