Background
Henry H. Kramer was born 16 May 1918 to parents Peter Kramer Sr. and Maria Katherine Gomer Kramer in Scottsbluff, Nebraska.
Wartime History
Kramer enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserve (USNR) in the U.S. Navy (USN) with service number 0-116182. He attended flight school class 9-B and earned his wings and was commissioned as an Ensign. Assigned to Bombing Squadron 3 (VB-3) as an SBD Dauntless dive bomber pilot.
On February 20, 1943 took off from Henderson Field on Guadalcanal piloting SBD-3 Dauntless on a dive bombing mission against Munda on New Georgia and ditched at sea. Afterwards, he and his gunner were aided by local people then taken to a coastwatcher and rescued by PBY Catalina and returned to duty.
Next, assigned to Bombing Squadron 15 (VB-15) aboard USS Essex (CV-9). as a dive bomber and fighter bomber pilot.
On July 25, 1944 took off from USS Essex (CV-9) piloting SB2C-1C Helldiver 01068 on a strike against Guam. Returning ditched out of fuel and was rescued.
On September 8, 1944 took off from USS Essex (CV-9) piloting F6F-3 Hellcat 42616 on a mission over Palau (Belau). This plane was apparently hit by anti-aircraft fire and a fire started on the left stub wing that enveloped the fuselage and cockpit area. This Hellcat went into a spin and the pilot was unable to bail out and crashed into the sea southwest of Peleliu (Beliliou). When this plane failed to return, listed as Missing In Action (MIA).
Memorials
Kramer was officially declared dead September 8 1944. He earned the Air Medal with two Gold Stars and Purple Heart, posthumously. Kramer is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing.
Awards
Kramer earned the Air Medal with two Gold Stars and the Purple Heart, posthumously.
References
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..."
NARA USS Essex (CV-9) First Action Report: Stalemate II 29 August - 8 September 1944
"Killed In Action - One. Kramer, Henry Harold, Lieut., A-V(N), USNR VB 15. While piloting an F6F(VFB) aircraft in operations against the enemy on 8 September 1944, plane was apparently hit by AA fire. A blaze started on the port stub wing which soon enveloped fuselage and cockpit area. Probable attempt of this officer to bail out was unsuccessful. Plane went into spin while continuing to burn furiously and crashed into the sea just southwest of the island of Peleliu. No evidence of life in wreckage area. This action was observed by Ens. H. G. Gaver, A-V(N), USNR, of VB15. Approximate time 1215 on 8 September 1944. Declared dead body was not recovered."
NARA USS Essex (CV-9) War Diary September 1944 page 5
"Our combat losses: 2 TV, 2 VF, 1 VB. The two Essex VF were lost AA over targets, pilot Lt. H. H. Kramer and Ens. L. S. Hamblin lost with planes. One Essex VT returning from afternoon strike was badly damaged by AA while over target."
NARA USS Essex (CV-9) War Diary September 1944 page 17
"(a) Killed In Action - One Kramer, Henry Harold, Lieut., A-V(N), USNR; VB-15. While piloting an F6F (VFB) aircraft in operation against the enemy on 8 September 199, plane was apparently hit by AA fire. A blaze started on the port stub wing which soon enveloped fuselage and cockpit area. Probable attempt of the officer to bail out was unsuccessful. Plane went into spin while continuing to burn furiously and crashed into the sea just southwest of the island of Peleliu. No evidence of life in wreckage area. This action was observed by Ens. H. C. Gaver, A-V(N), USNR, of VB15. Approximate time 1215 on 8 September 155. Declared Dead, body was not recovered."
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Henry H. Kramer
FindAGrave - LT Henry Harold Kramer (photo, tablets of the missing photo)
Omaha World Herald "Scottsbluff Flier Killed in Pacific" by Associated Press (AP) October 13, 1944
The York Daily News "Posthumous Award To Lt. L. H. Kramer" by Associated Press (AP) May 25, 1945
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 for additional research and analysis.
