Medal of Honor: Harold William Bauer, World War II, September–November 1942

Name: Harold William Bauer
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
War: World War II
Date of Action: September–November 1942
Unit: Marine Fighting Squadron 212 (VMF-212), U.S. Marine Corps
Accredited to: Nebraska

Summary of Action
Harold Bauer was a squadron commander during the desperate early months of the Guadalcanal campaign. On September 28, 1942, he engaged Japanese bombers, downing one despite being heavily outnumbered. Days later, on October 3, he shot down four enemy fighters in a single battle, sending a fifth trailing smoke. On October 16, he personally led a hazardous 600-mile over-water flight of 26 planes—then, as he circled to land, he spotted a Japanese squadron attacking the U.S.S. McFarland. Low on fuel and utterly alone, Bauer attacked without hesitation. In a ferocious solo fight, he destroyed four enemy planes before his fuel tanks ran dry and he was forced into the sea. Bauer’s skill, leadership, and indomitable spirit became legendary among the Marines of Guadalcanal, his courage a vital factor in securing the island at a critical hour of the Pacific war.

Medal of Honor Citation
BAUER, HAROLD WILLIAM
Rank and organization: Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: 20 November 1908, Woodruff, Kans. Appointed from: Nebraska. Citation: 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.