John Kamps
First Lieutenant John Kamps was a Marine fighter pilot with VMF-216.
He was killed on a combat mission near Torokina, Bougainville, on 27 December 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number O-21208
Current Status
Remains not recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
May 12, 1921
at Ripon, CA
Parents
Hendrick “Henry” Kamps
Edna (Winters) Kamps
Education
Ripon Union High School (1940)
Modesto Junior College (1942)
Occupation & Employer
College student
Service Life
Entered Service
March 10, 1942 (enlisted)
April 10, 1943 (commission)
Home Of Record
Rural Route 1
Ripon, CA
Next Of Kin
Father, Mr. Henry Kamps
Military Specialty
Pilot
Primary Unit
VMF-216
Campaigns Served
Solomon Islands
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
First Lieutenant John Kamps was a Marine Corps fighter pilot who flew with VMF-216 during the campaign for the northern Solomon Islands.
On 27 December 1943, four VMF-216 pilots readied to fly the dawn patrol over Empress Augusta Bay. Kamps and 1Lt. Robert P. Davey headed to their assigned Corsairs – but were waved off by the crew chiefs. One plane had a radio out; the other needed engine work. The two pilots hurried to find spare planes, and Kamps climbed into the cockpit of F4U-1 #17845. He roared down the airstrip, with Davey following behind.
A double disaster ensued. Davey’s fighter suddenly swerved to the right and slammed into a rescue truck, burst into flames, and slammed into a dugout where two Navy electricians were working. At the same moment, a gun crew saw Kamps’ Corsair pull up sharply and then fall off on the right wing, crashing into the sea just south of the Magine Islands. Only a gasoline slick remained on the surface of the water.
The cause of the twin crashes was never known.
Burial Information or Disposition
Lieutenant Davey and the two sailors were buried in an island cemetery later that day. Lieutenant Kamps’ body was never recovered.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of father, Mr. Henry Kamps.
Location Of Loss
Lieutenant Kamps’ Corsair crashed at sea near the Magine Islands.
