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Bass Harry Brinkley

Name:
Harry Brinkley Bass
Rank:
Lieutenant Commander
Serial Number:
O-81320
Unit:
VF-74
Date of Death:
1944-08-20
State:
Illinois
Cemetery:
Roselawn Memorial Park, Arkansas
Plot:
Lot 23 - Wooddale Section
Row:
Grave:
6
Decoration:
Navy Cross, Silver Star, DFC, PH, AM
Comments:

Harry Brinkley Bass was born on July 4, 1916 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.

LCDR Bass took off from the USS Kasaan Bay in command of VF-74 Hellcat squadron in his Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat 58109 on a bombing mission during Operation Anvil Dragoon. LCDR Bass was flying low for a strafing run under heavy fire from AA batteries and small arms fire. It is possible that he was rendered unconscious from the latter. Regardless, his plane clipped the ground and sent him crashing to his death. He was initially buried by the locals in St-Bonnet-le-Froid cemetery before being sent to Little Rock, Arkansas. LCDR Bass was a highly decorated pilot who had served in the Pacific before being sent to the European Theatre. The USS Brinkley Bass (DD-887) was named in his honor.

*Citation:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Harry Brinkley Bass, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber in Bombing Squadron TWO (VB-2), embarked from the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-2), in action against enemy Japanese forces over enemy-controlled waters near Lae and Salamaua, New Guinea on 10 March 1942. Lieutenant Bass pressed home, in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire, a vigorous and determined dive bombing attack on enemy ships, sinking three of them. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Bass' outstanding courage, daring airmanship and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

*Citation(Second Award): The President of the United States takes pride in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Harry Brinkley Bass, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber in Bombing Squadron TWO (VB-2), embarked from the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-2), in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Air Battle of the Coral Sea on 7 May 1942. In the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire and fierce fighter opposition, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Bass, leading a flight of his squadron, dived his plane at an enemy Japanese aircraft carrier and released his bomb with calm accuracy. By grim determination and expert appraisal of his objective, he contributed materially to the high percentage of hits inflicted by his particular squadron and assisted in ultimate destruction of the enemy carrier. His individual action was an important factor in the collective success of those United States Naval forces which engaged in the enemy in the Battle of the Coral Sea. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Bass' outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 307 (October 1942)

Source of information: www.findagrave.com