Fred Meyer, Jr.
Corporal Fred Meyer, Jr. flew with VMTB-233, a Marine torpedo-bomber squadron in the Solomon Islands.
He was killed in action during a strike on Monoitu Mission, Bougainville, 3 December 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number 406136
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered.
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
March 11, 1921
at Indianapolis, IN
Parents
Fred Meyer, Sr.
Margaret “Maggie” (Barnaby) Meyer
Education
Southport High School (ex-1941)
Occupation & Employer
Federal Mogul Service
Service Life
Entered Service
June 8, 1942
at Indianapolis, IN
Home Of Record
1133 Brunswick Street
Indianapolis, IN
Next Of Kin
Father, Mr. Fred Meyer Sr.
Military Specialty
Aviator
Primary Unit
VMTB-233
Campaigns Served
Solomon Islands (one tour)
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
On 3 December 1943, VMTB-233 staged a maximum-effort attack against Japanese ground positions at Monoitu Mission, Bougainville. A total of thirty-four TBF Avenger bombers, flying in six-plane divisions, would each make two bombing runs and return to “strafe the area as thoroughly as possible.” One of the Avengers in the first division was TBF-1 Bureau Number 06024, flown by First Lieutenant Clarence O. Pylant, Jr. Corporal Fred Meyer, Jr. and PFC Leroy B. Klug constituted the crew.
Once over the target, Lieutenant Pylant put his bomber into a dive. According to fellow flyers, the Avenger’s port wing suddenly folded back and the bomber spun out of control. No parachutes were seen, and the bomber exploded when it hit the ground. It is not clear whether enemy action or a mechanical failure were to blame for the crash.
Burial Information or Disposition
After the war, the isolated grave of an American flyer was found near Hire, Bougainville. On 17 June 1949, the remains were identified as those of Lieutenant Clarence Pylant; he was returned to the United States for final burial in Arlington National Cemetery.
To date, no identifiable trace of Corporal Meyer or PFC Klug has been located.
Memorials
Next Of Kin Address
Address of father, Mr. Fred Meyer Sr.
Location Of Loss
The Avenger with Pylant, Meyer, and Klug crashed near Monoitu Mission.
