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| USN USS Tulagi (CVE-72 VC-92 |
Pilot Lt(jg) Victor Theodore Buettner, 298951 (POW, survived) Seattle, WA Gunner AOM1c Harold Andrew Morrissey, 6668109 USNR (KIA, BR) Gardner, MA Radio ARM3c Darrel L. Booth, 3815913 USN (KIA, BR) Sacramento, CA Crashed April 14, 1945 Aircraft History Built by General Motors, Eastern Aircraft Division as model G-40. Constructors Number N 615. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as TBM-3 Avenger bureau number 23471. Wartime History Assigned USS Tulagi (CVE-72) to Composite Squadron 92 (VC-92) aboard. No known nickname, nose art or markings. Mission History On April 14, 1945 took off from USS Tulagi (CVE-72) piloted by Lt(jg) Victor T. Buettner armed with bombs and rockets on a strike mission against Miyara Airfield on Ishigaki Jima. Over the target, the Avenger encountered intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire and made a successful bomb run with the gunners strafing then turned around. During the second run to fire rockets, hit by anti-aircraft fire that knocked off the outer portion of the left wing causing the plane to plunge downward. Despite the damage, Buettner attempted to stay with the plane to allow his crew to bail out before the plane crashed. Unfortunately, neither of his crew able to bail out and both died in the crash. When this plane failed to return, the crew were listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Fates of the Crew Buettner managed to bail out and was captured by the Japanese. He became a Prisoner Of War (POW). He survived captivity until the end of the Pacific War. On September 12, 1945 repatriated at Tokyo POW Camp (Shinjuku) Tokyo Bay Area 35-140 via Guam then returned to the United States. Morrissey and Booth were unable to bail out and both died in the crash. Postwar, their remains were recovered and transported to Hawaii and the United States for permanent burial. During April 1949, buried at Valhalla Memorial Park in North Hollywood, CA. Memorials Bulettner earned the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for this mission. Morrissey died in the crash on April 14, 1945. He earned the Air Medal. He was buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) at section M site 1225. Booth died in the crash on April 14, 1945. He earned the Air Medal. During April 1949, buried at Valhalla Memorial Park in North Hollywood, CA. References Navy Serial Number Search Results - TBM-3 Avenger 23471 USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List April 1945 - TBM-1C Avenger 16923 pilot listed as Morrissey [sic Buettner] NARA - VC-92 "Subject : Recommendation for Awards Composite Squadron Ninety-Two, Western Pacific Operations, 3 January to 5 June 1945" pages 69–71 (Page 69) "Lt(jg) Victor T. Bulettner, USNR, as pilot of a torpedo bomber distinguished himself by heroism 14 April 1945, during an attack on Miyara Airfield, Ishigaki Jima..." (Page 70) "Darrel Lee Booth, Aviation radioman third class, USN, distinguished himself as radioman of a torpedo bomber during action against the enemy in the Ryukyu Islands. Like his pilot, Lt(jg) Victor T. Buettner he has been missing in action since a strike 14 April 1945 on Miyara Airfield, Ishigaki Jima. Despite intense and accurate antiaircraft fire, Booth operated the radio equipment, manipulated the bomb release mechanism and strafed from the stinger gun position. He contributed importantly to the success of this mission, which effectively interfered with enemy use of this airfield. Darrel Lee Booth, Aviation radioman third class, USN, successfully completed five strikes or flights against the enemy in the Ryukyu Islands in the period 25 to 30 March 1045." NARA World War II Prisoners of War Data File - Victor Theodore Bulettner, 298951 NARA World War II Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Casualty List - Washington State page 53 "Released From Prison Camps - Buettner, Victor Theodore Lt (jg), USNR. Wife, Mrs. Peggy Margaret Buettner, 5830 E. Greenlake Way, Seattle." Center for Research Allied POWS Under the Japanese - Pacific POW Roster "Buettner Victor Theodore,LTJG,298951,USN" FindAGrave - Harold Andrew Morrissey (photo, grave photo) NARA Application For Headstone or Marker - Booth, Darrel L. April 1949 FindAGrave - Darell Lee Booth (grave photos) Fold3 - Darrel Lee Booth Wings over Sakishima (2010) by Fred Samples page 143–144 (Page 143) "400 Plane Kamikaze Attack by Spencer F. Hatch... On April the 14, 1945 about 20 planes were sent from our carrier to neutralize the airfield on Ishihaki Island. Our Skipper, Lt. Comd. Wallace led the bombers. I [Spencer F. Hatch] led the fighters. We approached the airfield from the north. The fighter planes went in first, in a moderate steep diver, with me in the lead plane out front..." Thanks to Edward Rogers for additional information Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated October 27, 2022 |
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