Lt. Commander Bruce Avery Van Voorhis
U.S. Navy (USN) pilot PB4Y-1 Liberator Bureau Number 31992 earned the Medal of Honor

Background
Bruce Avery Van Voorhis was born January 29, 1908 to parents Walter Avery Van Voorhis and Lillian May “Lillie” Simson Van Voorhis in Aberdeen, Washington and grew up in Nevada. He was appointed to the United States Naval Academy (USNA) in June 1925 and graduated on June 6, 1929. Ensign Van Voorhis was first assigned to USS Mississippi (BB-41) until November 1930 then transferred to the Naval Air Station Pensacola for flight training and received his wings on September 3, 1931. Afterwards, assigned to Observation Squadron 4B (VO-4B) aboard USS Maryland (BB-46). In June 1934, he transferred to Bombing Squadron 5B aboard USS Ranger (CV-4) then Bombing Squadron 2B aboard USS Saratoga (CV-3).

During July 1935 until May 1937, he served in the Panama Canal Zone and flew patrols from Coco Solo with Patrol Squadron 2F (VP-2F). In June 1937, Van Voorhis was assigned to USS Enterprise (CV-6), then USS Yorktown (CV-5) then returned to USS Enterprise (CV-6). In June 1940, Van Voorhis joined the aviation unit assigned to USS Honolulu (CL-48).

Wartime History
During July 1941, assigned to Naval Air Station Anacostia until November 1942. During December 1942, Lieutenant Commander Van Voorhis became the Commanding Officer (C.O.) of Patrol Squadron 14 (VP-14) but soon afterwards took command of Bombing Squadron 102 (VB-102) in the South Pacific (SoPAC).

Mission History
On July 6, 1943 took off from took off from Carney Field (Bomber 2) on Guadalcanal piloting PB4Y-1 Liberator 31992 on a volunteer solo reconnaissance mission over Kapingamarangi (Greenwich). Over the target, likely caught by its own bomb blast or accurate anti-aircraft fire, the bomber crashed into the lagoon only 700 meters from the near the beach area it was attacking. When this bomber failed to return, the entire crew was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA).

Medal of Honor
For his actions on July 6, 1943, Van Voorhis earned the Medal of Honor, posthumously.

Medal of Honor (July 6, 1943) "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Squadron Commander of Bombing Squadron 102 and as Plane Commander of a PB4Y-I 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, Lt. Comdr. 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 coolly 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, Lt. Comdr. 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 U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."

Memorials
Van Voorhis was officially declared dead the day of the mission. After his remains were recovered, he and the crew were buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in a group burial at section 79 graves 279-281 buried on March 15, 1950, including Barker, Linzmeyer, Martinelli, Oehlert, Renner and Van Voorhis. Van Voorhis also has a memorial marker at Arlington National Cemetery section MI site 86.

On July 28, 1956 Courtney-class destroyer escort USS Van Voorhis (DE-1028) was named in honor of Van Voorhis, sponsored by his widow Mrs. Kathryn Van Voorhis and decommissioned on July 1, 1972.

The airfield at Naval Air Station Fallon is was renamed Van Voorhis Field in his honor. Van Voorhis Elementary School in Fort Knox, Kentucky is named after Van Voorhis.

United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps - Van Voorhis Memorial Squadron in Las Vegas, NV is named in his honor.

References
This Damn Navy - Diary of James Claire Noland - July 6, 1943 (Tuesday)
"The skipper of VB-102, Van Voorhis, failed to return from patrol this evening. His intention to attack Kapingamarangi may have backfired on him. A damnfool and senseless stunt which cost the lives (apparently) of 10 good men. Nobody much gave a damn about Van Voorhis himself, though."
Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) - Bruce Avery Van Voorhis
USN Memorial Hall - BRUCE A. VAN VOORHIS, LCDR, USN (photos)
Hall of Valor - Bruce Avery Van Voorhis (MOH citation)
Congressional Medal of Honor Society - Bruce Avery Van Voorhis
FindAGrave - Bruce A Van Voorhis (photo, grave photo)
FindAGrave - LCDR Bruce Avery Van Voorhis (photo, memorial marker)
Arlington National Cemetery (ANC Explorer) does not list Van Voorhis
U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps Van Voorhis Memorial Squadron