Medal of Honor: Harold W. Bauer – World War II (Guadalcanal) – May–November 1942

Name: Harold William Bauer
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Organization: U.S. Marine Corps
Unit: Marine Fighting Squadron 212 (VMF-212)
Place and Date: South Pacific Area – 10 May to 14 November 1942
Entered Service At: Appointed from Nebraska
Born: November 20, 1908 – Woodruff, Kansas
Departed: Missing in Action, November 14, 1942 (declared deceased January 1946)
Accredited to: Nebraska

---

Summary of Action

During the desperate early months of the Guadalcanal campaign, Lieutenant Colonel Harold W. “Joe” Bauer stood at the center of the struggle for control of the skies. As commander of VMF-212, he led his Marine fighter squadron into repeated battles where the Japanese often outnumbered them two to one — sometimes worse.

On September 28, 1942, Bauer single-handedly shot down a Japanese bomber during a fierce aerial assault. Just days later, on October 3, he intercepted a large formation of enemy fighters and destroyed four in a single engagement while crippling a fifth — an astonishing feat even among the great aces of the war.

But his courage didn’t end in the air. On October 16, after leading 26 Marine fighters on a dangerous 600-mile over-water ferry flight to Guadalcanal, Bauer circled to land — only to spot a Japanese squadron diving on the U.S.S. McFarland. With fuel nearly gone and no time to hesitate, he turned into the attackers alone. In the fierce battle that followed, he destroyed four more enemy aircraft before finally being forced down at sea.

Bauer vanished on November 14, 1942, after being shot down during another action. Despite rescue efforts, he was never recovered.

His leadership, skill, and fearless resolve helped secure the skies over Guadalcanal — and saved countless Marines, sailors, and airmen fighting below.

---

Medal of Honor Citation

Rank and organization: Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps.

Appointed from: Nebraska.

For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous courage as Squadron Commander of Marine Fighting Squadron 212 in the South Pacific Area during the period 10 May to 14 November 1942. Volunteering to pilot a fighter plane in defense of our positions on Guadalcanal, Lt. Col. Bauer participated in 2 air battles against enemy bombers and fighters outnumbering our force more than 2 to 1, boldly engaged the enemy and destroyed 1 Japanese bomber in the engagement of 28 September and shot down 4 enemy fighter planes in flames on 3 October, leaving a fifth smoking badly. After successfully leading 26 planes on an over-water ferry flight of more than 600 miles on 16 October, Lt. Col. Bauer, while circling to land, sighted a squadron of enemy planes attacking the U.S.S. McFarland. Undaunted by the formidable opposition and with valor above and beyond the call of duty, he engaged the entire squadron and, although alone and his fuel supply nearly exhausted, fought his plane so brilliantly that 4 of the Japanese planes were destroyed before he was forced down by lack of fuel. His intrepid fighting spirit and distinctive ability as a leader and an airman, exemplified in his splendid record of combat achievement, were vital factors in the successful operations in the South Pacific Area.