James Laurence Fowler

First Lieutenant Jim Fowler joined VMTB-233 on 14 January 1944 – “just out of the states” and ready for his first combat tour. He was soon flying effective missions to targets in the Rabaul area, and was officially commended for bombing a cargo vessel into “sinking condition” on one of his strikes.

On 14 February 1944, VMTB-233 ordered a mission to lay mines in Rabaul’s Simpson Harbor. Dropping a Mark 12 naval mine from an Avenger required slow speed and low altitude, so planners decided to send three separate waves at one-hour intervals under cover of darkness. Group C – which included pilot 1Lt. James L. Fowler, radioman PFC John J. Pudil, and turret gunner Private Cecil M. White in Plane #115 – departed Piva airfield at 0230 for the ninety-minute flight to Rabaul.

Unfortunately for the attackers, Japanese spotlight crews were on the alert – and “very accurate in picking up the planes and keeping them in the light.” Anti-aircraft gunners were also primed and ready, having battled two previous waves of attackers. Group C was badly mauled with three Avengers, including Fowler’s #115 (TBF-1C 25327), failing to return to base. VMTB-233 lost a total of six Avengers and eighteen Marines on the disastrous mission.

The entire crew of #115 was declared dead on 15 February 1945. Fowler was awarded a posthumous Distinguished Flying Cross, while Pudil and White received Air Medals.