Bruce Van Voorhis

Pressed six low-level attacks against an island base

Bruce Avery Van Voorhis earned a posthumous Medal of Honor for a long-range attack against Japanese-held Greenwich Island during World War II. On 6 July 1943, the lieutenant commander led Bombing Squadron 102 and commanded a PB4Y-1 patrol bomber on the mission.

Born in Aberdeen, Washington, on 29 January 1908, Van Voorhis was accredited to Nevada. He took off before dawn without fighter escort and reached the island despite difficult weather. Under antiaircraft fire and pursuit by enemy aircraft, he continued attacking the radio station and other installations at low level. His bomber crashed into the lagoon during the attack, killing him.

Official Medal of Honor citation

“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as squadron commander of Bombing Squadron 102 and as plane commander of a PB4Y-1 patrol bomber operating against the enemy on Japanese-held Greenwich Island during the battle of the Solomon Islands, 6 July 1943. Fully aware of the limited chance of surviving an urgent mission, voluntarily undertaken to prevent a surprise Japanese attack against our forces, Lt. Comdr. Van Voorhis took off in total darkness on a perilous 700-mile flight without escort or support. Successful in reaching his objective despite treacherous and varying winds, low visibility, and difficult terrain, he fought a lone but relentless battle under fierce antiaircraft fire and overwhelming aerial opposition. Forced lower and lower by pursuing planes, he coolly persisted in his mission of destruction.

Abandoning all chances of a safe return, he executed six bold, ground-level attacks to demolish the enemy's vital radio station, installations, antiaircraft guns and crews with bombs and machine-gun fire, and to destroy one fighter plane in the air and three on the water. Caught in his own bomb blast, Lt. Comdr. Van Voorhis crashed into the lagoon off the beach, sacrificing himself in a singlehanded fight against almost insuperable odds, to make a distinctive contribution to our continued offensive in driving the Japanese from the Solomons and, by his superb daring, courage, and resoluteness of purpose, enhanced the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.”

Van Voorhis was promoted posthumously to commander. Navy Secretary James Forrestal presented his medal to his widow in Washington, D.C., on 1 August 1946. He is commemorated in a group burial at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri. His citation records the persistence of the attack despite overwhelming opposition.