BASS-HARRY

KILLED  IN  ACTION  - INVASION  OF  SOUTHERN  FRANCE

Harry Brinkley Bass was born July 4, 1916, and grew up in Beaumont, Texas, where his family moved when he was quite young.  Following graduation in 1932 from Beaumont High School he attended South Park College and then the West Point-Annapolis Coaching School in Columbia, Missouri, before entering the Naval Academy in June 1934.  He graduated from the Academy in June 1938.  His first duty assignments were the cruiser USS New Orleans and the destroyer USS Farragut.  He then underwent flight training, was designated a naval aviator on February 18, 1941, and assigned to Bombing Squadron Two aboard the carrier USS Lexington.  In early 1942, as pilot of a SBD Dauntless dive bomber, Bass was awarded two Navy Cross citations, one for sinking an enemy ship and one for helping sink a carrier.  He later survived the sinking of the Lexington. 

In July 1942, Bass was reassigned as a fighter pilot and assigned to Fighter Squadron Twenty-Nine where he eventually became the commanding officer aboard the escort carrier USS Santee.  In this assignment he was awarded the Silver Star and Air Medal during operations in the Pacific.  He was next reassigned as Commanding Officer of Fighter Squadron Seventy-Four aboard the escort carrier USS Kasaan Bay which was participating in operations in North Africa.  On August 20, 1944, near Vanosc, France, Bass was leading a group of eight F6F Hellcat fighters up the Thone Valley in France striking targets of opportunity.  Seeing what appeared to be a German motorcycle, Bass dived his plane for an attack, but much too low as his Hellcat’s belly tank was torn off, destabilizing the aircraft, and sending it into the ground, killing Bass.  He was initially buried by French civilians in a church cemetery at St. Bonnet Le Froid, France, but in September 1948 his remains were moved to Roselawn Memorial Park in Little Rock, Arkansas.

In honor of LCDR Harry Brinkley Bass, the USS Brinkley Bass (DD-887) was commissioned on October 1, 1945, sponsored by his mother.  LCDR Bass never married.

NAVY  CROSS  CITATION  (1ST AWARD)

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Junior Grade Harry Brinkley Bass (NSN: 0-81320), United States 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), attached to the USS 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 one 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.

NAVY  CROSS  CITATION  (2ND 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 USS 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.

          

      F6F  HELLCAT  LAUNCHING  FROM  USS  KASSAN BAY

Submitted by CDR Roy A. Mosteller, USNR (Ret)