Howard Mitchell Coonley
First Lieutenant Howard M. Coonley was a Marine pilot with VMSB-341.
He was reported missing after a bombing mission to Lakunai, Rabaul area, on 26 January 1944.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number O-21064
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
April 25, 1919
at Syracuse, NY
Parents
Howard Coonley
Mable (Mitchell) Coonley
Education
Syracuse University (1940)
SU College of Law
Occupation & Employer
Law student
Service Life
Entered Service
May 19, 1942 (enlisted)
April 6, 1943 (officer)
Home Of Record
659 West Onondaga Street
Syracuse, NY
Next Of Kin
Parents, Howard & Mable Coonley
Military Specialty
Pilot
Primary Unit
VMSB-341
Campaigns Served
Northern Solomons
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
On 26 January 1944, took off from Piva to participate in a strike against gun positions at Lakunai Airfield, Rabaul. Lieutenant Coonley and PFC Jack B. Thomann manned SBD-5 #36231, designated as Squadron Number 105. Little opposition was encountered over the target; Japanese anti-aircraft fire grew heavier as the strike force withdrew over Blanche Bay.
Number 105 was last seen making its dive on a gun position and failed to join up for the return flight. Coonley and Thomann were posted missing when the squadron landed back at Piva; theirs was the only ship that failed to return. Both Marines were ultimately declared dead on 16 January 1946.
Burial Information or Disposition
None; remains not recovered.
Memorials
Manila American Cemetery and Memorial
North Syracuse Cemetery, North Syracuse, New York
Namesake of the Disabled American Veterans Howard M. Coonley (now Coonley-Nojaim) Chapter 30, Syracuse
Next Of Kin Address
Address of parents, Howard & Mable Cooney.
Location Of Loss
Former site of Lakunai Airfield.
The airfield was active until destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 1994.
