![]() ![]() In fact, a week after coming to the McFarland's aid, he was named commander of Guadalcanal's air defense forces, according to Fortitudine. He was credited with destroying four enemy aircraft before he was forced to land due to a lack of fuel.īauer earned the Medal of Honor for those brave actions, but his mission wasn't over yet. Without hesitation, Bauer went after the entire squadron. While circling land, Bauer noticed several enemy planes attacking the USS McFarland, which was delivering fuel and ammunition to the island. That day, Bauer led a 26-aircraft sortie over 600 miles to reinforce the aerial campaign at Guadalcanal, which was struggling due to weeks of fighting. 3, he shot down four enemy fighter planes and left a fifth badly damaged. 28, 1942, Bauer shot down a Japanese bomber during battle. Bauer's actions from late September to mid-October cemented his place in history. During the months in which the island was contested, he led by example, going on dangerous missions and checking up on the members of his squadron who were tasked with defending Henderson Field. had to defend the airfield, called Henderson Field, from an enemy who outnumbered them two to one.īauer volunteered to be one of the pilots to do so. ![]() The Japanese weren't willing to give it up easily, though, so a months-long campaign to get it back began. captured a newly constructed Japanese airfield on Guadalcanal, an island with vital strategic purposes for both sides. That's where Bauer earned the nickname Coach, which stemmed from his "inspirational leadership style, aggressive air combat philosophy, and the fact that he was 10 years senior to the squadron's other pilots," according to a 2008 edition of Fortitudine, a Marine Corps historical bulletin.īy August 1942, the U.S. By March 1942, Bauer was the squadron commander of Marine Fighter Squadron 212, which was sent to the island of Efate in the New Hebrides island chain (now known as Vanuatu). ![]()
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