John Sirius MacLaughlin, Jr.
Major John S. MacLaughlin, Jr., was the skipper of Marine fighting squadron VMF-422.
He was lost at sea on a flight between Tarawa and Funafuti, 25 January 1944.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number O-5801
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
April 8, 1915
at Brooklyn, NY
Parents
John Sirius MacLaughlin, Sr.
Lillian Marie (Powers) MacLaughlin
Education
Collingswood High School
Alabama Polytechnic Institute
Annapolis Naval Academy (1938)
Occupation & Employer
Professional Marine
Service Life
Entered Service
June 2, 1938 (officer)
Home Of Record
Collingswood, NJ
Next Of Kin
Wife, Mrs. Naomi M. MacLaughlin
Military Specialty
Pilot
Squadron Commander
Primary Unit
VMF-422
Campaigns Served
Solomon Islands / Guadalcanal (VMF-212)
Individual Decorations
—
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
John MacLaughlin began his Marine Corps career upon graduation from the US Naval Academy in 1938. He spent his first two years as an officer at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, then transitioned to aviation in 1940. After earning his wings, MacLaughlin was assigned to Marine Air Group 2 and served briefly with VMF-221 prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor. MacLaughlin then served as an aide to Major General Ross Rothwell, commander of the 2nd Marine Air Wing, and as a pilot with administrative and training outfits in California until joining a new squadron – VMF-422 – as commanding officer.
MacLaughlin was highly regarded by his pilots and ground echelon, as related by the Squadron History:
Major MacLaughlin, a graduate of the U. S. Naval Academy at Annapolis '38.... commanded the squadron through its most intensive training phase, both at Santa Barbara, California and Midway Island. Major MacLaughlin had run the gamut of Marine Corps aviation, having served with Major General Rowell's staff at Ewa, T.H. before and after the Pearl Harbor attack. He joined MBDAG-42 at Santa Barbara as Assistant Operations Officer and later commanded VMF-115 at the same base until relieved by Major "Joe" Foss. On 17 July 1943, he assumed command of VMF-422.
Major MacLaughlin demonstrated keen execituve ability placing much responsibility on the four veteran combat pilots in training the augmented squadron.... Being well informed on all phases of aviation and having a fund of knowledge on foreign, political, and current affairs, he was insistent in his efforts to turn out a well-informed combat pilot.
His quiet an unassuming manner belied his thorough knowledge of all squadron problems. He was known to be deeply devoted to his family and as a symbol of that affection named his Corsair "Johnny Nae" both affectionate terms for his sone and wife. His varied experiences in the tropics made him an authority, to squadron personnel on marine life. He was known to spend much of his free time in exploring underwater formations wherever his duties carried him.
Major MacLaughlin and VMF-422 arrived in the South Pacific on 24 January 1944, catapulting from the USS Kalinin Bay and landing on the newly-christened Hawkins Field on the newly-won island of Betio, Tarawa atoll. The squadron was to fly long-distance from Tarawa to Nanumea in the Ellice Islands (Tuvalu). The invasion of the Marshall Islands was underway, and it was anticipated that VMF-422 would base out of an airfield soon to be captured.
Mindful of navigation hazards – the 2.5 hour flight covered 450 miles over open water – and the potential for changing weather, MacLaughlin requested a PV-1 Ventura to escort his flight to Funafuti. He was denied twice. Weather reports indicated clear skies and scattered squalls – but the information was more than 18 hours old by the time VMF-422 made ready to depart. This would have fatal consequences.
The flight of 23 Corsairs departed on the morning of 25 January and proceeded without incident until about fifteen minutes flying time from Nanumea. There, they encountered a “violent tropical hurricane” with rain so thick they could not see straight ahead. The squadron headed down to the deck to fly through the weather; when they emerged, five planes were missing and only three pilots responded to radio calls.
As they passed over the island of Nui, more dark storm clouds were visible ahead. Major MacLaughlin picked up a signal from Funafuti and gathered his remaining pilots. They were only a few miles from safety when the second weather front hit.
According to writer Mark Carlson, MacLaughlin lost the signal and “grew desperate.” The skipper stopped sending radio messages; Captain Cloyd Jeans flew up close, and MacLaughlin placed Jeans in charge of leading the way back to Nui. A few minutes later, MacLaughlin’s “Johnny Nae” broke off from the formation and headed into the storm alone. Two lieutenants attempted to bring MacLaughlin back on course, but he was swallowed by the overcast and disappeared, never to be seen again. Lieutenant John “Abe” Lincoln thought that MacLaughlin’s act was deliberate.
I flew very close to him and tried to get him to look at me. I called him several times. I went so far as to bump his wing with mine, and... nothing.
I think he knew he had lost his command, a whole set of brand-new airplanes. He couldn't take it.
“It was ironic that the Major’s main recreational interest, the sea, should claim him as its victim,” concluded the VMF-422 biography. “His interest in the welfare and comfort of each officer and enlisted man knew no bounds. His loss was keenly felt by all hands.” MacLaughlin was ultimately declared dead on 26 January 1945, and posthumously promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Only one of the 23 Corsairs that departed from Tarawa managed to reach Funafuti. Six VMF-422 pilots lost their lives in the ill-fated ferry mission.
Burial Information or Disposition
None; remains not recovered.
Next Of Kin Address
Wartime address of wife, Mrs. Naomi (Oppenheimer) MacLauglin.
Location Of Loss
The VMF-422 Corsairs were lost somewhere in the vicinity of Nanumea atoll, Tuvalu.
