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Photo #   80-G-457603:  Ensign Bruce A. Van Voorhis, USN

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --

Commander Bruce A. Van Voorhis, USN, (1908-1943)

Bruce Avery Van Voorhis was born on 29 January 1908 in Aberdeen, Washington. He was appointed from Nevada to the U.S. Naval Academy and graduated an Ensign in June 1929. Reporting to USS Mississippi, he served on board that battleship until departing in November 1930 for aviation training at Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida. Designated a Naval Aviator in the Fall of 1931, he was then ordered to Observation Squadron 4B (VO-4B) on board USS Maryland. In June 1932, Van Voorhis was promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade. Two years later, he was assigned to Bombing Squadron 5B (VB-5B) on board USS Ranger, later transferring to Bombing Squadron 2B (VB-2B) on board USS Saratoga.

In July 1935, Van Voorhis arrived at the Panama Canal Zone for duty with Patrol Squadron 2F (VP-2F). Two years later, he began service with Scouting Squadron Six (VS-6) on board USS Enterprise and, in July 1937, was promoted to Lieutenant. While assigned to Enterprise, he also had temporary duty on board USS Yorktown. In the Summer of 1940, Lt. Van Voorhis was ordered to the aviation unit on board the light cruiser Honolulu. The following summer, he received orders to the Naval Air Station at Anacostia, Washington, D.C., remaining there as the U.S. entered World War II in late 1941. Promoted to Lieutenant Commander in January 1942, in December of that year, he briefly assumed command of Patrol Squadron Fourteen (VP-14) then commanded Bombing Squadron One Hundred Two (VB-102) in the Pacific.

On 6 July 1943, while serving as VB-102's Squadron Commander and as Plane Commander of a PB4Y-1 Patrol Bomber during the Central Solomons campaign, LCdr. Van Voorhis courageously undertook a lone long-range mission to disrupt potential Japanese attacks. While striking enemy facilities and aircraft at Greenwich Island in the face of overwhelming aerial opposition, Van Voorhis' plane was caught in the blast of its own bombs and crashed into a nearby lagoon, killing those on board. For his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity" on this occasion, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor and promoted to Commander. Bruce A. Van Voorhis is buried at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri. He also has an "In Memory Of" headstone marker at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.

USS Van Voorhis (DE-1028), 1957-1973, was named in honor of Commander Bruce A. Van Voorhis.

This page features the only images we have concerning Bruce A. Van Voorhis.


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

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Photo #: 80-G-457603

Ensign Bruce A. Van Voorhis, USN


Photographed circa the late 1920s or early 1930s.
He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity" while serving as Squadron Commander of Bombing Squadron One Hundred Two (VB-102) and as Plane Commander of a PB4Y-1 Patrol Bomber operating against the Japanese held Greenwich Island during the Solomon Islands campaign, 6 July 1943. During this action, Van Voorhis was a Lieutenant Commander.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 37KB; 580 x 765 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 
Photo #: NH 106473

Ensign Bruce A. Van Voorhis, USN


Halftone reproduction of a photograph taken circa the later 1920s or early 1930s, copied from the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 273.
Bruce A. Van Voorhis was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity" while serving as Squadron Commander of Bombing Squadron One Hundred Two (VB-102) and as Plane Commander of a PB4Y-1 Patrol Bomber operating against the Japanese held Greenwich Island during theSolomon Islands campaign, 6 July 1943. During this action, Van Voorhis was a Lieutenant Commander.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 56KB; 520 x 765 pixels

 



Medal of Honor citation of Lieutenant Commander Bruce A. Van Voorhis, USN (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 273):

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Squadron Commander of Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWO 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, Lieutenant Commander 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 cooly persisted in his mission of destruction. Abandoning all chance 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, Lieutenant Commander Van Voorhis crashed into the lagoon off the beach, sacrificing himself in a single-handed 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 United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."


NOTES:

  • To the best of our knowledge, the pictures referenced here are all in the Public Domain, and can therefore be freely downloaded and used for any purpose.

  • Some images linked from this page may bear obsolete credit lines citing the organization name: "Naval Historical Center". Effective 1 December 2008 the name should be cited as: "Naval History and Heritage Command".


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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    Page made 2 April 2009
    Edited and reposted 15 September 2009