James Edward Brubaker
First Lieutenant James E. “Jimmy” Brubaker was a Marine fighter pilot with VMF-214 – the “Black Sheep Squadron.”
He was reported missing in action over Rabaul on 23 December 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number O-18683
Current Status
Remains not recovered.
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
December 12, 1921
at Wabash County, IN
Parents
Vern Leo Ellis Brubaker
Ruth May (Frantz) Brubaker
Education
Clearwater High School (1939)
St. Petersburg Junior College
Occupation & Employer
College student
Service Life
Entered Service
February 9, 1943 (commission)
Home Of Record
503 North Fort Harrison
Clearwater, FL
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Ruth Brubaker
Military Specialty
Pilot
Primary Unit
VMF-214
Campaigns Served
Solomon Islands (three tours)
Individual Decorations
Air Medal
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
Brubaker served his first two tours with VMF-213 (the Hell Hawks)
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
First Lieutenant James “Jimmy” Brubaker was a Marine fighter pilot. He served his first tours in the Solomon Islands as a “Hell Hawk” with VMF-213, and joined VMF-214 in mid-November, 1943. When he arrived, Brubaker was one of only a few “Black Sheep” with extensive prior combat experience.
His home was in Clearwater, Florida; he had joiend the Corps after two years of junior college and a start at the University of Florida. He had left San Diego for overseas duty the same day his brother (a B17 bombardier) was shot down over Germany. To direct attention from his thinning hair, Jimmy could usually be seen sporting a Pepsodent smile. He generally carried off the honors at bridge.
On 23 December 1943, the “Black Sheep” were assigned a dual mission: escorting B-24s on a bombing strike against Rabaul, with a fighter sweep to follow and screen the withdrawal of the bombers. Two divisions of VMF-214 Corsairs provided cover, led by executive officer Major Pierre M. Carnagey with Brubaker flying on his wing during the long trip from Torokina to Rabaul.
Over the target, an estimated 15-20 Japanese “Zeke” fighters appeared and attacked the bomber formation. Carnagey’s pilots broke off to engage and a series of swirling, individual dogfights developed. VMF-214 gave a good account of themselves, but did not escape without losses. Pilots Carnagey and Brubaker were last seen diving after Japanese planes near the “heavies” – after that, they essentially disappeared.
Burial Information or Disposition
Jimmy Brubaker never made it back to Torokina. He was reported as missing in action following the mission; nothing more was ever learned of his fate, or the whereabouts of his Corsair (F4U-1 17451). On 11 January 1946, he was declared dead.
Memorials
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Ruth Brubaker.
Location Of Loss
Brubaker was last seen in combat over Rabaul.
