Harold Richard Anderson
First Lieutenant Harold R. Anderson was a Marine pilot with VMSB-133.
He was killed in a training accident near Johnston Island on 25 January 1944.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number O-21183
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
August 24, 1921
at Salt Lake City, UT
Parents
Harold Peter Anderson
Esther Manuella (Kjar) Anderson
Education
East High School (1939)
University of Utah (ex-1943)
Occupation & Employer
College student
Service Life
Entered Service
February 7, 1942 (enlisted)
March 31, 1943 (officer)
Home Of Record
1047 South 12th East
Salt Lake City, UT
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Esther Anderson
Military Specialty
Pilot / Assistant Materials Officer
Primary Unit
VMSB-133
Campaigns Served
—
Individual Decorations
—
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Departed Naval Air Station Johnston Island for routine dive bombing training flight, attacking a towed target approximately five miles southwest of the island. At 1350 hours, dove on target and began pulling out at 1,500 feet. Before completing the maneuver, the SBD entered a violent roll to the left and crashed at sea.
The accident was reported by several eyewitnesses, and boats were dispatched to the scene, but no sign of 1Lt. Harold R. Anderson or Corporal Edwin L. Hendrickson was found. Both Marines were declared dead the day of the crash.
Burial Information or Disposition
None; remains not recovered.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Esther Anderson.
Location Of Loss
Approximate location of the crash site, five miles southwest of Johnston Island.
