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| USN USS Saratoga (CV-3) VB-3  USN 1942 |
Pilot Ensign Henry H. Kramer, 0-116182 (survived) Scottsbluff, NB Gunner ? (survived) Ditched February 20, 1943 Aircraft History Built by Douglas Aircraft Company in El Segundo. Constructors Number unknown (four digits). Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as SBD-3 Dauntless bureau number unknown (five digits). Wartime History Assigned to USS Saratoga (CV-3) to Bombing Squadron 3 (VB-3). No known nickname or nose art. On February 18, 1943 one of sixty planes from the Saratoga Air Group including a portion of VB-3 fly via Efate and Espiritu Santo northwest to Henderson Field on Guadalcanal. Mission History On February 20, 1943 took off from Henderson Field on Guadalcanal piloted by Ensign Henry H. Kramer on a dive bombing mission against Munda Airfield on New Georgia. Over the target, damaged by anti-aircraft fire and ditched. Fate of the Crew The pilot and gunner survived the ditching, made it ashore and were aided by friendly locals and taken to an Allied Coastwatcher and rescued by PBY Catalina and returned to duty. Afterwards, Ensign Henry H. Kramer was assigned to Bombing Squadron 15 (VB-15) and flew from USS Essex (CV-9). during 1944. On July 25, 1945 ditched SB2C-1C Helldiver 01068 out of fuel and was rescued. On September 8, 1944 pilot F6F-3 Hellcat 42616 on a mission over Peleliu and went Missing In Action (MIA). Memorials Kramer was officially declared dead September 8, 1944. He is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. References NARA "History of Bombing Squadron Three / Bombing Squadron Three History Through December 1944" Scottsbluff Star-Herald "Ensign Henry Kramer Tells Story of Battle and Rescue by Natives" March 23, 1943 page 3 "His plane in flames from enemy ack-ack which ripped a gaping hole in the gas tank, a narrow brush with death in a last-minute water landing, adrift in a rubber life boat, rescue by friendly natives, a 70-mile trek through dense jungles by land and canoe and return to his squadron nine days later..." Shadow-Boxing In The Coral Sea by John D. Bridgers "Over the next month [February 1943], our air group would regularly raid Munda Point on the island of New Georgia, or Colombangara, just across a narrow strait from us. These weren't world-shaking military events and eventually they became more-or-less a "milk run." Typically, we would encounter much anti-aircraft fire but no fighter opposition. Never-the-less, Hank Kramer and his gunner were brought down in the water. They spent a few days with a coconut plantation "coast-watcher" before being rescued by a "Black Cat." Thanks to Edward Rogers and Jim Sawruk for additional research and analysis. Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated July 30, 2024 |
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