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- Naval History and Heritage Command
Harry Brinkley Bass
Harry Brinkley Bass, born in Chicago, Ill., on Independence Day 1916, was appointed a midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy on 11 June 1934 and graduated on 2 June 1938. Appointed ensign the same day, Ens. Bass reported for duty in New Orleans (CA-32), then serving on the west coast, on 29 June 1938. Detached from New Orleans on 10 June 1939, he reported to Farragut (DD-348) two days later.
On 7 August 1940, Bass departed Farragut to proceed to the U.S. Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Fla., to begin flight training. He began his tour of duty on 25 August 1940. His training lasted until the beginning of 1941. On 7 February 1941, Ens. Bass was designated a naval aviator, and on the 20th, he was detached from the Pensacola Air Station. He moved to the Naval Air Station, Miami, Fla., on 24 February for additional instruction before joining Bombing Squadron (VB) 2 in Lexington (CV-2) on 14 May. During the fall of 1941, his ship moved from the west coast to Oahu in the Hawaiian Islands. He and his carrier operated from that base for the remainder of Lexington?s career.
On 5 December 1941, two days before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Bass was promoted to lieutenant (junior grade} to date from 2 June 1941. At the time of the attack, his ship was at sea with Task Force (TF) 12 delivering Marine Corps Vought SB2U-3 Vindicators from VMSB-231 to reinforce the defenses of Midway Island. Following the outbreak of hostilities, he participated in missions against enemy installations and shipping--notably the raid on Lae and Salamaua on the northern coast of New Guinea. He was credited with sinking an enemy ship during those attacks on 10 March l942--an action for which he received the Navy Cross. Later, Lt. (jg.) Bass received a gold star in lieu of a second Navy Cross for his part in helping to sink the Japanese small carrier Shoho on 7 May 1942 in the Battle of the Coral Sea. That same battle, however, brought the loss of his ship, Lexington. After suffering severe torpedo and bomb damage, she was scuttled by torpedoes from Phelps (DD-360).
Soon after that engagement, on 15 June 1942, Brinkley Bass was promoted to lieutenant. On the 26th, he was ordered to report to the newly established Fighting Squadron (VF) 29. His squadron was assigned to the escort carrier Santee (CVE-29) and, while assigned to that warship, he and his squadron provided air support for the landings in French Morocco between 8 and 11 November. His part in that operation earned him the Silver Star.
On 21 December 1942, Lt. Bass succeeded to command of VF-29. He and his squadron served in Santee for about another year. During that time they escorted convoys and conducted hunter-killer antisubmarine patrols. During the late summer of 1943, Santee planes carried out a successful series of actions against German U-boats in the region south of the Azores. For his leadership of VF-29 during that period, Lt. Bass received a letter of commendation and the commendation ribbon. He retained command of VF-29 into the spring of 1944, though the squadron left Santee at the end of 1943.
On 11 April 1944, he assumed command of VF-74, and received his promotion to lieutenant commander on the 15th. Late in June, Lt. Comdr. Bass and VF-74 reported on board Kasaan Bay (CVE-69). That escort carrier departed Quonset Point, R.I., on 30 June and arrived at Oran, Algeria, on 10 July. For the next month, his squadron and ship conducted antisubmarine patrols in the Mediterranean and prepared for the invasion of southern France. Kasaan Bay, with Lt. Comdr. Bass and his squadron embarked, departed Valetta, Malta, on 12 August 1944 and arrived off the invasion beaches on the 15th. For the next five days, he led his squadron in bombing and strafing runs on enemy positions and supply lines. Lt. Comdr. Bass was killed on 20 August 1944 when his plane crashed as a result of enemy action. For that last engagement, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Purple Heart, posthumously.
*Citation:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Harry Brinkley Bass, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber in Bombing Squadron TWO (VB-2), embarked from the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-2), in action against enemy Japanese forces over enemy-controlled waters near Lae and Salamaua, New Guinea on 10 March 1942. Lieutenant Bass pressed home, in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire, a vigorous and determined dive bombing attack on enemy ships, sinking three of them. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Bass' outstanding courage, daring airmanship and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
*Citation(Second Award):
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Harry Brinkley Bass, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber in Bombing Squadron TWO (VB-2), embarked from the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-2), in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Air Battle of the Coral Sea on 7 May 1942. In the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire and fierce fighter opposition, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Bass, leading a flight of his squadron, dived his plane at an enemy Japanese aircraft carrier and released his bomb with calm accuracy. By grim determination and expert appraisal of his objective, he contributed materially to the high percentage of hits inflicted by his particular squadron and assisted in ultimate destruction of the enemy carrier. His individual action was an important factor in the collective success of those United States Naval forces which engaged in the enemy in the Battle of the Coral Sea. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Bass' outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 307 (October 1942)
Born: July 4, 1916 at Chicago, Illinois
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Bassett Family Association Database
1916 - 1944 (28 years)