John Franklyn Bartholf, Jr.
First Lieutenant John F. “Frank” Bartholf, Jr., was a Marine pilot with VMTB-233.
He was shot down over Simpson Harbor, Rabaul, on 14 February 1944, and died while a prisoner of war.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number O-14325
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
October 7, 1921
at Jacksonville, FL
Parents
J. Franklyn Bartholf, Sr.
Gladys Dean (Seaward) Bartholf
Education
Robert E. Lee High School (1939)
University of Florida
Occupation & Employer
College student
Service Life
Entered Service
October 7, 1941 (enlisted)
September 29, 1942 (officer)
Home Of Record
Old Orange Park Road
Jacksonville, FL
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Gladys Bartholf
Military Specialty
Pilot
Primary Unit
VMTB-233
Campaigns Served
Northern Solomons (multiple tours)
Individual Decorations
Distinguished Flying Cross
Air Medal
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
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Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
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 A departed Piva Uncle airfield at 1230 AM for the ninety-minute flight to Rabaul. Squadron Number 14 – pilot 1Lt. John F. Bartholf, Jr., radioman PFC Raymond P. Lagro, and turret gunner SSgt. Joseph A. Sullivan, Jr. – was a “spare” plane not on the main roster, but took off when another Avenger suffered a mechanical failure
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 fire exploded around the Avengers, who found themselves running a gauntlet to drop their mines accurately. One plane burst into flames and fell from the sky northwest of Lakunai Airfield. The Group A leader attempted to warn the following waves, but a malfunctioning radio kept the message from getting through. VMTB-233 lost a total of six Avengers and eighteen Marines on the disastrous mission.
Bartholf’s Plane #14 (TBF-1 06311) failed to return from the Group A flight, and it was presumed that this was the plane seen in flames near Lakunai. The entire crew was declared dead on 15 February 1945; Bartholf was awarded a posthumous Distinguished Flying Cross, while Lagro and Sullivan received Air Medals.
Burial Information or Disposition
Records located after the war indicated that Lieutenant Bartholf survived the crash and was captured by Japanese forces on Rabaul. He was summarily executed on a later date, and his body was disposed of in an unknown location. Other Marines lost on this mission were subsequently identified from Finschhafen Cemetery #5; Bartholf may be among the remains yet to be investigated.
Memorials
Manila American Cemetery and Memorial
Bartholf was posthumously promoted to the rank of Captain.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Grace Bartholf.
Location Of Loss
Plane #14 was last seen on fire above Lakunai Airfield near Rabaul.
