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NAME Harold William Bauer |
NICKNAME “Indian Joe” “Coach” |
SERVICE NUMBER O-4534 |
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| UNIT VMF-212 Pilot Squadron CO |
HOME OF RECORD 21 Pilgram Avenue, Yonkers, NY originally North Platte, NE |
NEXT OF KIN Wife, Mrs. Hariette Anne Bauer |
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| DATE OF BIRTH November 20, 1908 |
ENTERED SERVICE June 5, 1930 |
DATE OF LOSS November 14, 1942 |
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| REGION Solomon Islands |
CAMPAIGN / AREA Russell Islands (vicinity) |
CASUALTY TYPE Missing In Action Declared Dead January 8, 1946 |
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| CIRCUMSTANCES OF LOSS Harold W. “Indian Joe” Bauer, commanding officer of VMF-212, was a Marine Corps aviation legend. While flying out of Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, he logged an impressive eleven aerial victories and proved himself a great leader and inspiration to his squadron, who called him “Coach.” On 14 November 1942, the Cactus Air Force staged no less than five attacks on a convoy attempting to resupply Japanese forces on Guadalcanal. Bauer joined the last flight, and while making a strafing run on a transport was attacked by two Zeros. He managed to shoot down one of his assailants, but was forced to ditch his damaged Wildcat (F4F-4 03454) about fifteen miles north of the Russell Islands. Bauer managed to escape the sinking aircraft and was last seen swimming in the ocean, apparently uninjured, and motioning his wingmen to return to base. A subsequent search could find no trace of Bauer. Although his squadronmates and family held out hope that he had been captured, there was never any sign of “Indian Joe” as a prisoner of war. Bauer was declared dead as of 8 January 1946. |
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| INDIVIDUAL DECORATIONS Medal of Honor, Purple Heart |
LAST KNOWN RANK Lieutenant Colonel |
STATUS OF REMAINS Missing in action |
MEMORIALS Manila American Cemetery |
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Biography:
Read an authoritative biography by Kent B. Brown, Bauer’s nephew, at acepilots.com
Articles and Records:
Photo Gallery:
