USN
VMSB 143

Pilot  Lt. Junior Grade Frederic Burton Sleyster (116372) MO
Radio Second Class Harry Hampton Johnson (6382500) MN
Gunner Third Class Manuel Paiva (2044712) RI
MIA May 19, 1943

Pilot History
Frederic Sleyster was awarded the Air Medal and Purple Heart. He was 22 years of age when he was made Aviation Cadet on 2 Oct 1941. Sleyster flew a B-17 bomber and that he was on the USS Enterprise for a time. He was married with Dorothy Woodworth, living in Coronado, CA. without children. He was attached to the 493rd BS, 7th BG Heavy. He was attached to the Torpedo Squadron 21 and temporarily attached to a Marine unit, VMSB 143 (Marine Scout Bomber Squadron). Declared dead, Body not recovered.

Mission History
Took off from Guadalcanal on a mine laying mission in the Bougainville area and failed to return. One pilot stated that numerous searchlights and anti-aircraft fire were encountered in this area. This was the last that was seen of subject aircraft.

References
Thanks to Jill DeGraeve-Cruse for historical information:
"Fredric Burton Sleyster is my husband’s great uncle from Perry, Missouri. This information I researched on the internet:

The history of VMSB 143 is told to have been commanded by Major William K. Pottinger, USMC, starting at Camp Kearney CA on March 1, 1942. The squadron departed the mainland on October 15, 1942 on the SS Lurline with seven pilots and 57 enlisted men. Nineteen more pilots arrived at the Guadalcanal on November 12th 1942, in time to participate in a decisive battle fought on the Saunguinary Island; five days later, nine additional pilots arrived at Henderson Field."

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