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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.

Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

Branch

Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number O-14325

Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

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

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.

Related Profiles

Members of VMTB-233 lost on Simpson Harbor mining mission
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