Date of birth:

September 22nd, 1911 (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - USA)

Date of death:

April 26th, 2008 (San Diego, San Diego County, California, USA)

Service number:

NSN: 0-74997

Nationality:

American (1776 - present, Republic)

During the World War II years as a Lieutenant, he was engaged in carrier-based operations in the South Pacific as Commanding Officer, Fighter Squadron 6 and Fighter Squadron 3. It was during this period as Squadron Commander and flying
the F4F, that he personally led numerous fighter escort missions and strafing attacks in the Solomon Islands during the battle for Guadalcanal. For his actions in that campaign, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. It was also during this period that he was awarded the Navy Cross for leading his squadron against enemy shore objectives resulting in the shooting down of 41 Japanese planes over Guadalcanal.

After finishing the war as a 33-year-old Carrier Air Group Commander, in August 1945 he assumed command of the four squadrons of Carrier Air Group 3 operating from Naval Air Station Oceana. Planning and executing the Danville VA Air Show for 19 F6F Hellcats, group formation flights at the Miami All American Air Maneuvers, and flying the F6F in a single plane loop through the "squirrel cage" of 16 F6Fs at the Cleveland Air Races highlighted his tour as CAG. The Korean War found Captain Bauer serving as the Executive Officer of the Aircraft Carrier USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) operating in the Western Pacific. It was during this period that he received the Bronze Star medal for his actions in organizing the ship's crew during combat operations against hostile forces.

Subsequent assignments after the Korean War included tours as Carrier Air Group Training Officer on the staff of the Commander, Naval Air Forces Pacific, duty in the Pentagon as Head of the Armaments Division, assignment as the Air
Operations Officer on the staff of the Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet, tours as the Commanding Officer of the USS Orca (AVP-49) which served as the flagship of the Taiwan Patrol Force during the Quemoy-Matsu crisis with Red China in 1958-1959, as Commanding Officer of the USS Yorktown (CV-10), as Chief of Staff to Commander Anti Submarine Forces, Norfolk, VA, and finally as Commanding Officer Naval Air Station Miramar. Captain Bauer's service to our country ended when he retired in July 1965.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant

Unit:

Fighting Squadron 6 (VF-6) - U.S.S. Enterprise (CV-6)

Awarded on:

October 30th, 1942

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Louis Hallowell Bauer (NSN: 0-74997), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane and Commanding Officer of FIGHTING SQUADRON SIX (VF-6), attached to the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), during the Solomon Islands campaign of August 1942. Lieutenant Bauer led his squadron in strafing shore objectives and in aerial combat against enemy aircraft with such boldness, determination, and skill that he and his squadron shot down a total of 41 enemy aircraft. His keen judgment in selecting his flight leaders and his personal courage and tenacity in the face of enemy aircraft opposition were superlative and in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service.

Commander In Chief Pacific Fleet: Serial 3954 (October 30, 1942)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Commander

Unit:

Squadron Commander - Fighting Squadron SIX (VF-6)

Awarded on:

March 1943

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Louis Hallowell Bauer (NSN: 0-74997), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Squadron Commander of Fighting Squadron SIX (VF-6) during the period from 20 January 1943 to 20 March 1943. Commander Bauer personally led numerous fighter escort missions and strafing attacks on Munda, New Georgia and Vila, Kolombangara, in the Solomon Islands when based on Guadalcanal. Despite heavy anti-aircraft fire, his attacks were invariably pressed home to point-blank range, resulting in severe enemy personnel casualties. In early February 1943, he shot down one Japanese search aircraft in the vicinity of the U.S.S. SARATOGA, while ship-based, thus preventing the enemy from gaining knowledge of the presence of our carrier task force. His skillful airmanship and courageous leadership were a source of inspiration to his squadron and were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Period:

Korean War (1950-1953)

Rank:

Captain

Unit:

Executive Officer of the Aircraft Carrier USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31)

Awarded on:

1950

• Photo: Louis Bauer - Recipient -
  
• - Recipients of The Navy Cross, 1916 - Present, by C. Douglas Sterner - Capt Louis Hallowell Bauer (1911-2008) - Find a Grave-gedenkplek