TUCK-HAROLD

DIED  IN  CAPTIVITY  WHILE  POW

Harold Rudolph Tuck was reportedly born on December 30, 1922, in Lynchburg, Virginia.  The date he entered the Marine Corp is not known but historical records reflect he entered from Virginia.

On January 14, 1944, 1STLT Tuck was assigned to VMSB-31 as the pilot in a Douglas Dauntless SBD dive bomber BuNo. 36230 with PFC Paul Frederick McCleaf as the rear gunner.  Thirteen SBDs from VMSB-31 were assigned to a strike on Lakunai Airfield, Rabaul, New Britain Island, Papua New Guinea.  Because the primary target was closed in by weather, the flight was diverted toward the secondary target (shipping) but before reached their target a plane in the formation unfortunately struck 36230 and clipped off most of its tail.  Although the collision caused the plane to spin into the ocean about 1-1/2 miles offshore, both men were able to get free before the plane sank.  Both men were subsequently captured from the water by the Japanese and taken to Rabaul POW Camp, New Britain 4-152. 

The first reported notice of their capture was made on January 15, 1944, through the International Committee of the Red Cross.  Historical records reflect that both men died while in captivity as was the case with many POWs held at this camp as records reflect that of the 66 Allied prisoners known to have been held here, only 7 survived and 59 died in captivity.  The actual date of the deaths of 1STLT Tuck and PFC McCleaf is not known.  Records reflect that PFC McCleaf was executed and 1STLT Tuck “died of disease and neglect on November 19, 1944” but the date is uncertain.

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