Captain Fish was from Casey, Ill. A Marine aviator assigned to Marine Bombing Squadron-611, he was a pilot and aircraft commander on a PBJ-1 medium bomber. As a 1ieutenant, Fish flew 25 missions with VMB-611. On 30 May 1945, his outfit executed an interdiction strike against Japanese forces on the Kibawe Trail, Mindanao, Philippines.

During the mission, the squadron commander's aircraft was shot down. Later the same day, 1stLt Fish and his crew flew out to try and locate their skipper's crash site. They never returned from their search. They were declared missing in action on 30 May 1945.

1stLt Fish was advanced to the rank of captain and received the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with three Gold Stars, the Purple Heart and other campaign medals. VMB-611 was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation.

Over a decade later, the wreckage of Captain Fish's aircraft was found on Mindanao. The crew was in the wreckage, but identification of the crew members was not possible. The crew was returned home for group burial in Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver, Colo. They were:

Captain Doit L. Fish, Pilot 1stLt Donald C. Sculatti, Co-Pilot Captain Sigurd C. Simonson, Passenger/Observer Staff Sergeant Richard C. Vorel, Navigator/Bombardier Sergeant Robert L. Harrison, Radio/Waist Gunner Corporal Chester D. Luberda, Radio/Waist Gunner Corporal John D. Rood, Turret Gunner/Ordnanceman Corporal Walter G. Charboneau. Tail Gunner/Mechanic

Captain Fish left behind his wife, Dorothy and his son, Dave. He got to see Dave one time prior to shipping out for the Pacific in August 1944. Dave was just a baby when his dad was shot down, but he still honors the memory of his father, a United States Marine who gave his life for his friends.

(above) A PBJ-1 medium bomber of VMB-611 over
the Pacific–1945 USMC Photo

From Dave: "Words that mean so much to me and give me some comfort were noted by Dad's surviving fellow pilots when they found out that my Dad and crew were finally laid to rest: "The book on VMB-611 can now be closed … All planes are in.""

	(left) Capt. Doit L. Fish in front of his PBJ-1 medium bomber. Photos and information courtesy of Capt. Fish's son, Dave Fish

To learn more about Captain Fish and his life, visit his son's tribute page on the American War Orphans Network.

To learn more about the PBJ-1 bomber, visit Jack McKillop's outstanding Naval aviation site.

 

1st Lieutenant Lee M. Happ, Jr., USMCR

1stLt Happ was born and raised in Macon, Georgia. He graduated from Duke University prior to joining the Marine Corps in 1942. Upon completion of his training in 1943,1stLt Happ was assigned to Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 24th Marines, 4th Marine Division.

In February 1943, Lee got married to Anne Shirley Williams in Virginia. The hectic pace of war kept them apart, but Anne traveled to California in January 1944 to spend some time with her husband. Shortly thereafter, Lee sailed away for the assault on Roi Namur with his outfit.

Lee's only daughter, Tatum, was born not long after her dad left for combat. He never got the chance to see or hold her, but he carried a picture of Tatum and her mom in his pocket for the rest of his life.

Following the campaign on Roi Namur, the 4th MarDiv was stationed at Camp Maui, Hawaii. Their next operation was the assault on Saipan in the summer of 1944. For this campaign, Lee was assigned as a battalion liaison officer. He was killed in action on 28 June 1944 by enemy tank fire. Subsequently, he was awarded a posthumous Bronze Star Medal for gallantry in action. His citation follows:

For heroic service as Battalion Liaison Officer attached to the Third Battalion, Twenty-fourth Marines, Fourth Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan Island, Marianas Group, From 19 to 28 June 1944. Courageous and alert under extremely hazardous combat conditions, First Lieutenant Happ unhesitatingly made his way forward from regimental headquarters despite intense hostile fire and successfully contacted his battalion during the early stages of the assault. Subsequently, with consistent skill and determination, he continued to carry out his vital duties until fatally wounded by fire from an enemy tank while advancing with the battalion command group. First Lieutenant Happ's indomitable spirit and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of grave peril were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Tatum writes: "From what my aunts have told me, [Dad] was a wonderful man. From my pictures, I have his smile. My great aunt was married to Marine Corps General Lamar Curry and he was close to my father. General Curry was in the Star (a drawing) on Guadalcanal. Gen. Curry's wife was the daughter of Marine Corps Gen. Marsden. Lots of Gyrenes in my family. I get chill bumps when I see the uniform."

Lee was first buried in the 4th MarDiv Cemetery on Saipan. After the war, he was interred in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii.

To learn more about the 4th Marine Division in World War II, visit the Fighting Fourth website.

World War II Gyrene Tribute to the Fallen.

"He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live, and grow, and increase its blessings. Freedom lives, and through it, he lives– in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men." Franklin Roosevelt

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