Bruce Avery Van Voorhis – Medal of Honor – World War II – July 6,1943
On his sixth and final attack run, Van Voorhis’s aircraft was either caught in enemy fire or the lethal shockwave of his own bombs. His PB4Y-1 plunged into the lagoon, a fiery end to a mission.
July 6, 2025

Bruce Avery Van Voorhis
Rank: Lieutenant Commander
Conflict: World War II
Unit: Bombing Squadron 102, U.S. Navy
Date of Action: July 6, 1943
Location: Greenwich Island, Solomon Islands
Title: The Lone Bomber of Greenwich Island
Summary of Action:
Lieutenant Commander Bruce Van Voorhis volunteered his aircraft and crew for a high-risk solo mission that would demand not only expert flying but immense personal courage. As the Japanese prepared to stage an assault from their stronghold on Greenwich Island—one of the enemy’s critical forward operating bases in the Solomon Islands—Van Voorhis stepped forward to eliminate the threat before it could strike. With no wingmen, no fighter cover, and no certainty of return, They took off in the PB4Y-1 Liberator just before dawn, navigating a grueling 700-mile journey through darkness, turbulence, and shifting island weather. Every mile brought him closer to heavily defended enemy territory and further from safety.
Despite the treacherous terrain and growing resistance in the skies, Van Voorhis pressed on. Upon reaching Greenwich Island, he descended into the teeth of coordinated Japanese antiaircraft fire. Refusing to break off, he launched a series of bold, low-level bombing and strafing runs that devastated enemy facilities. He destroyed the island’s vital radio station—crippling its ability to coordinate with other garrisons—and then took out several fortified gun emplacements, clearing the way for future Allied movements. His gunners even downed a Japanese fighter in the air and destroyed three more on the water, neutralizing critical elements of the island’s aerial defenses.
On his sixth and final attack run, Van Voorhis’s aircraft was either caught in enemy fire or the lethal shockwave of his own bombs. His PB4Y-1 plunged into the lagoon, a fiery end to a mission that had already succeeded in crippling the enemy’s ability to strike. His death was not in vain. His selfless actions disrupted a looming Japanese offensive, bought precious time for U.S. forces advancing through the Pacific, and embodied the ultimate sacrifice. Alone, unflinching, and resolute to the last, Bruce Van Voorhis completed a one-man mission that remains one of the most daring solo attacks of World War II.
Medal of Honor Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Squadron Commander of Bombing Squadron 102 and as Plane Commander of a PB4Y-I Patrol Bomber operating against the enemy on Japanese-held Greenwich Island during the battle of the Solomon Islands, 6 July 1943. Fully aware of the limited chance of surviving an urgent mission, voluntarily undertaken to prevent a surprise Japanese attack against our forces, Lt. Comdr. Van Voorhis took off in total darkness on a perilous 700-mile flight without escort or support. Successful in reaching his objective despite treacherous and varying winds, low visibility and difficult terrain, he fought a lone but relentless battle under fierce antiaircraft fire and overwhelming aerial opposition. Forced lower and lower by pursuing planes, he coolly persisted in his mission of destruction. Abandoning all chance of a safe return he executed 6 bold ground-level attacks to demolish the enemy’s vital radio station, installations, antiaircraft guns and crews with bombs and machinegun fire, and to destroy 1 fighter plane in the air and 3 on the water. Caught in his own bomb blast, Lt. Comdr. Van Voorhis crashed into the lagoon off the beach, sacrificing his aircraft in a fight against almost insuperable odds, to make a distinctive contribution to our continued offensive in driving the Japanese from the Solomons and, by his superb daring, courage and resoluteness of purpose, enhanced the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.