Mission History
Commander Van Voorhis volunteered for reconnaissance mission to Kapingamarangi to report enemy movements. Took off in total darkness from Carney Airfield (Bomber 2) on Guadalcanal.

Over Kapingamarangi Lagoon, the bomber came under anti-aircraft fire and aerial opposition. Van Voorhis made six ground attacks on the base, hitting radio station, and claimed one plane in the air shot down, and three destroyed in the water. Likely caught by its own bomb blast or accurate anti-aircraft fire, it crashed into the lagoon only 700 meters from the base, near the beach area it was attacking. Everyone aboard was killed. For his actions, Van Voorhis earned the Medal of Honor, only navy PB4Y-1 pilot.

Wreckage
Remains in Kapingamarangi Lagoon.

Hugh Reilly / MV Westward adds:
"There were many large, identifiable pieces scattered over an area about the size of a basketball court in 20-30' of water. Presumably these scattered pieces were the result of a crash landing. An informed viewer should not have any difficulty confirming the type of aircraft. The locals described it as a U.S. aircraft; I recall also being told that the pilot/crew were captured & killed by the Japanese [according to locals]."

Memorials
Two crew members are buried at Honolulu Memorial Cemetery. Stephens at Plot P Row 0 Grave 921. Watson at Plot P Row 0 Grave 544.

References
We Flew Alone covers this loss.
Thanks to Jim Sawruk for crew list

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Last Updated
October 1, 2009

MIA

Medal of Honor