LtCol Harold Bauer was the fearless commander of Marine Fighting Squadron 212, the “Hell Hounds”, during some of the most intense fighting of World War II in the South Pacific. From May to November 1942, LtCol Bauer demonstrated unmatched bravery, taking to the skies over Guadalcanal to defend his fellow Marines against overwhelming Japanese airpower.

Flying his F4F Wildcat, Bauer routinely took on enemy formations alone, outnumbered, and often low on fuel. On multiple occasions, he engaged enemy aircraft with staggering effectiveness, downing bombers, fighters, and even defending a U.S. Navy vessel alone.

His final mission came on November 14, 1942, when he shot down two enemy aircraft before being downed himself. Though spotted alive in the water that evening, LtCol Bauer was never seen again. For his extraordinary heroism, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor Citation:
For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous courage as Squadron Commander of Marine Fighting Squadron 212 in the South Pacific area during the period from 10 May to 14 November 1942. Volunteering to pilot a fighter plane in defense of our positions on Guadalcanal, Lt. Col. Bauer participated in two air battles against enemy bombers and fighters outnumbering our force more than two to one, boldly engaged the enemy, and destroyed one Japanese bomber in the engagement of 28 September, and shot down four 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 four 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.

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Photos Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

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