1930 United States Federal Census (15 April 1930): Columbia (Ward 4), Lancaster County, Pennsylvania (sheet 3A, family 58, 440 Walnut Street) – J. Robert Bowers (6 Pennsylvania).
1940 United States Federal Census (11 April 1940): Columbia (Ward 5), Lancaster County, Pennsylvania (sheet 6B, household 121) – Robert Bowers (16 Pennsylvania). His family had lived in the same house in 1935.
Columbia High School, Columbia, Pennsylvania, Class of 1941 - John Robert Bowers
John Robert Bowers (18, 07 February 1924, Columbia, Pennsylvania), a resident of 216 Chester St., Lancaster, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, signed up for his World War II Draft Registration Card (Serial No. N-350, Order No. 11690) on 30 June 1942 in Lancaster, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He was employed by the U. S. Government, Marietta, Pennsylvania. John listed his father, John Bowers, as the person who would always know his address. He was described as 6' in height, 168 lbs., with a dark complexion, brown hair and brown eyes.
He was employed at the U. S. military Marietta Holding and Reconsignment Point along the Susquehanna River. Its primary mission was to receive and store Quartermaster, Ordinance, Medical, Engineer, and Signal Corps supplies until east coast ports were in a position to receive and ship materials overseas.
John R. Bowers, a resident of Lancaster, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, enlisted in the U.S. Navy on 30 October 1942 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He received his basic training at Bainbridge, Maryland and graduated from motor machinist school in Boston. He then went on to the PT boat school in Rhode Island.
MM2c John R. Bowers (S/N 244 65 61) V-6 USNR "satisfactorily completed the prescribed course of training for Motor Torpedo Boat Duty" on 02 August 1943 at the United States Navy Motor Torpedo Boat Squadrons Training Center at Melville, Rhode Island.
He was assigned to the Motor Torpedo Boat PT-300. He was one of the charter members of the crew. MM2c John R. Bowers was received on board on 27 October 1943, the day PT-300 was commissioned. MTB Commissioning Detail, New Orleans, Louisiana. PT's 295-301 were designated as Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron SIXTEEN B (PTRon 16B).
PT-300 Specifications:
78' Higgins Motor Torpedo Boat
Displacement: 56 tons
Length: 78 feet
Beam: 20' 8"
Draft: 5' 3"
Speed :41 knots.
Complement: 17 crew
Armament: One 40mm mount, two 21" torpedoes, two twin .50 cal. machine guns, one 37mm mount and one 20mm mount
Propulsion: Three 1,500 shaft horsepower (shp) Packard W-14 M2500 gasoline engines, three shafts.
On 15 December 1944 during the morning PT-300 and PT-230 were operating in Mangarin Bay off San Jose on Mindoro Island, Philippines. After entering Mangarin Bay, a single Japanese plane strafed PT-320 without causing damage and then made a circle and began a dive on LST-605 unloading on the beach. Both PT boats and LST-605 opened fire hitting the aircraft and shot off part of the tail that caused it to crash ashore 50 yards from the LST and killed 5 men and wounded 11 ashore.
On 18 December 1944, PT-300 with some other PT boats from Task Unit 70.1.4 entered Mangarin Bay. PT-300 was on a southeasterly course paralleling the beach at a speed of about twenty knots. At about 1600 hours the PT boats were spotted and attacked by three Japanese Ki-51 Sonias.
One of the planes made a low diving kamikaze attack on PT-300 (ironically named Kamikaze Val). PT-300 immediately initiated evasive procedures. However despite the vessel's quick turns and a hail of bullets fired at the plane by it and the other PT boats, the Ki-51 kept coming. At the last instant, Lieutenant Commander Almer P. Colvin, skipper of Squadron 16, ordered a sharp right to the starboard. He guessed wrong. The pilot turned his plane in the same direction at the same time resulting in disaster for PT-300. The Kamikaze slammed into the starboard quarter amidships of the engine room. Almost immediately the boat was engulfed in fire, there was a huge explosion that sent all but three men on PT-300 flying into the water, and the boat split in two. The stern sank immediately and the bow portion of the boat remained afloat for eight (8) hours engulfed in flames from the burning gasoline around it. It sank about 300 yards offshore of Caminawit Point.
"The crew and officers of PT-300 should be commended highly for their bravery and courage in this action. Their heroism is of the highest as they all stayed by their posts and not one gun ceased firing until the plane crashed into the boat." Source: Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron SIXTEEN Action Report, PT 300, 18 December 1944.
Aboard, the crew of fifteen (15) suffered four (4) were dead; four (4) missing including Motor Machinist Mate 2nd Class John R. Bowers and six (6) wounded. Only one crew member escaped uninjured.
Results of the action: one (1) PT boat lost, against one (1) enemy plane destroyed together with its pilot. The body of the Japanese pilot was recovered.
Source: Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron SIXTEEN Action Report, PT-300, 18 December 1944
John's body was never recovered.
"The bow section of PT 300 tormented the PT boat sailors on Mindoro by burning all night. William A. Bahn explained years after the war, "Every time we looked we thought of the fellows who were killed and about the wives and mothers when they got the telegrams. That was the 18th of December and they would probably get the news for Christmas." Source: PT Boat Odyssey: In the Pacific War with Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 16, 1943-1945 by Robert P. Gelzheiser (2019 McFarland & Company, North Carolina), page 168.
Western Union Telegram 29 December 1944
RXP20 69 GOVT=WASHINGTON DC 29 250A
John V Bowers
216 Chester St
The Navy Department deeply regrets to inform you that your son John Robert Bowers Motor Machinists Mate Second Class USNR is missing following action while in the service of his country. The department appreciates your great anxiety but details not now available and delay in receipt thereof must necessarily be expected. To prevent possible aid to our enemies please do not divulge the name of his ship or station.
MM2c Bowers Missing In South Pacific
John Robert Bowers, twenty, machinist mate second class in the U.S. Navy, is missing in action in the South Pacific, the Navy Department notified his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Bowers, 216 Chester St... Source: Lancaster New Era (Lancaster, Pennsylvania), Thursday, 04 January 1945, page 1.
Sailor Reported Lost In Pacific Area.
John Robert Bowers, machinist mate second class, twenty-one, reported missing in action Dec. 18, 1944, when his PT boat was destroyed by enemy action in the Pacific area, "must be considered lost" the Navy Department notified his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Bowers, 216 Chester St. He previously had been reported missing in action... Source: Lancaster New Era (Lancaster, Pennsylvania), Wednesday, 07 March 1945, page 1.
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR 2 COLUMBIANS
A memorial service will be held for John R. Bowers, twnety-one, Machinist Mate 2-c, USN, who died in the South Pacific Dec. 18, 1944 and his cousin, Sgt. Herbert K. Kauffman, who was killed in Germany April 15, in the St John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Columbia, tomorrow at 7 p.m. at the Vesper services, with the Rev. Frank F. Adler, pastor of the church, in charge.
Seaman Bowers was the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Bowers, 216 Chester St., Lancaster, formerly of Columbia. He was a graduate of Columbia High School and was believed to be stationed on a PT boat. Sgt. Kauffman was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Kauffman, of 553 Union St., Columbia. He held the Purple Heart for wounds received in action prior to his death. A member of the regular army, he enlisted in 1939 and served in Africa, and the European Theater.
Gold stars will be placed on the service flag in honor of the boys by veterans of World War I. Source: Lancaster New Era (Lancaster, Pennsylvania), Saturday, 16 June 1945, page 10.
Motor Machinist Mate 2nd Class John R. Bower is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing - United States Navy at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.
He also has a cenotaph in Conestoga Memorial Park Cemetery, Lancaster Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania – Section K, Grave 592.
The attack on PT-300 by a Kamikaze plane was the twelfth attack of that nature suffered by the vessels of this Task Unit in three days.
The four sailors killed on PT-300.
Radioman Third Class Joseph Gerard Amos 836 26 43 USNR
Seaman First Class Albert John Basso 813 70 06 USNR
Machinist's Mate First Class Joseph Miles Brunner 250 73 04 USN
Machinist's Mate Second Class William Louis Dudas 285 02 86 USNR
The four sailors missing in action.
Quartermaster Second Class John Wilder Ball 725 19 99 USNR
Fire Controlman First Class Valmore William Beauregard 579 14 12 USNR
Gunner's Mate Third Class Albert Earl Boone 896 12 93 USNR
Motor Machinist's Mate Second Class John Robert Bowers 244-65 61 USNR
1940 United States Federal Census (11 April 1940): Columbia (Ward 5), Lancaster County, Pennsylvania (sheet 6B, household 121) – Robert Bowers (16 Pennsylvania). His family had lived in the same house in 1935.
Columbia High School, Columbia, Pennsylvania, Class of 1941 - John Robert Bowers
John Robert Bowers (18, 07 February 1924, Columbia, Pennsylvania), a resident of 216 Chester St., Lancaster, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, signed up for his World War II Draft Registration Card (Serial No. N-350, Order No. 11690) on 30 June 1942 in Lancaster, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He was employed by the U. S. Government, Marietta, Pennsylvania. John listed his father, John Bowers, as the person who would always know his address. He was described as 6' in height, 168 lbs., with a dark complexion, brown hair and brown eyes.
He was employed at the U. S. military Marietta Holding and Reconsignment Point along the Susquehanna River. Its primary mission was to receive and store Quartermaster, Ordinance, Medical, Engineer, and Signal Corps supplies until east coast ports were in a position to receive and ship materials overseas.
John R. Bowers, a resident of Lancaster, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, enlisted in the U.S. Navy on 30 October 1942 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He received his basic training at Bainbridge, Maryland and graduated from motor machinist school in Boston. He then went on to the PT boat school in Rhode Island.
MM2c John R. Bowers (S/N 244 65 61) V-6 USNR "satisfactorily completed the prescribed course of training for Motor Torpedo Boat Duty" on 02 August 1943 at the United States Navy Motor Torpedo Boat Squadrons Training Center at Melville, Rhode Island.
He was assigned to the Motor Torpedo Boat PT-300. He was one of the charter members of the crew. MM2c John R. Bowers was received on board on 27 October 1943, the day PT-300 was commissioned. MTB Commissioning Detail, New Orleans, Louisiana. PT's 295-301 were designated as Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron SIXTEEN B (PTRon 16B).
PT-300 Specifications:
78' Higgins Motor Torpedo Boat
Displacement: 56 tons
Length: 78 feet
Beam: 20' 8"
Draft: 5' 3"
Speed :41 knots.
Complement: 17 crew
Armament: One 40mm mount, two 21" torpedoes, two twin .50 cal. machine guns, one 37mm mount and one 20mm mount
Propulsion: Three 1,500 shaft horsepower (shp) Packard W-14 M2500 gasoline engines, three shafts.
On 15 December 1944 during the morning PT-300 and PT-230 were operating in Mangarin Bay off San Jose on Mindoro Island, Philippines. After entering Mangarin Bay, a single Japanese plane strafed PT-320 without causing damage and then made a circle and began a dive on LST-605 unloading on the beach. Both PT boats and LST-605 opened fire hitting the aircraft and shot off part of the tail that caused it to crash ashore 50 yards from the LST and killed 5 men and wounded 11 ashore.
On 18 December 1944, PT-300 with some other PT boats from Task Unit 70.1.4 entered Mangarin Bay. PT-300 was on a southeasterly course paralleling the beach at a speed of about twenty knots. At about 1600 hours the PT boats were spotted and attacked by three Japanese Ki-51 Sonias.
One of the planes made a low diving kamikaze attack on PT-300 (ironically named Kamikaze Val). PT-300 immediately initiated evasive procedures. However despite the vessel's quick turns and a hail of bullets fired at the plane by it and the other PT boats, the Ki-51 kept coming. At the last instant, Lieutenant Commander Almer P. Colvin, skipper of Squadron 16, ordered a sharp right to the starboard. He guessed wrong. The pilot turned his plane in the same direction at the same time resulting in disaster for PT-300. The Kamikaze slammed into the starboard quarter amidships of the engine room. Almost immediately the boat was engulfed in fire, there was a huge explosion that sent all but three men on PT-300 flying into the water, and the boat split in two. The stern sank immediately and the bow portion of the boat remained afloat for eight (8) hours engulfed in flames from the burning gasoline around it. It sank about 300 yards offshore of Caminawit Point.
"The crew and officers of PT-300 should be commended highly for their bravery and courage in this action. Their heroism is of the highest as they all stayed by their posts and not one gun ceased firing until the plane crashed into the boat." Source: Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron SIXTEEN Action Report, PT 300, 18 December 1944.
Aboard, the crew of fifteen (15) suffered four (4) were dead; four (4) missing including Motor Machinist Mate 2nd Class John R. Bowers and six (6) wounded. Only one crew member escaped uninjured.
Results of the action: one (1) PT boat lost, against one (1) enemy plane destroyed together with its pilot. The body of the Japanese pilot was recovered.
Source: Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron SIXTEEN Action Report, PT-300, 18 December 1944
John's body was never recovered.
"The bow section of PT 300 tormented the PT boat sailors on Mindoro by burning all night. William A. Bahn explained years after the war, "Every time we looked we thought of the fellows who were killed and about the wives and mothers when they got the telegrams. That was the 18th of December and they would probably get the news for Christmas." Source: PT Boat Odyssey: In the Pacific War with Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 16, 1943-1945 by Robert P. Gelzheiser (2019 McFarland & Company, North Carolina), page 168.
Western Union Telegram 29 December 1944
RXP20 69 GOVT=WASHINGTON DC 29 250A
John V Bowers
216 Chester St
The Navy Department deeply regrets to inform you that your son John Robert Bowers Motor Machinists Mate Second Class USNR is missing following action while in the service of his country. The department appreciates your great anxiety but details not now available and delay in receipt thereof must necessarily be expected. To prevent possible aid to our enemies please do not divulge the name of his ship or station.
MM2c Bowers Missing In South Pacific
John Robert Bowers, twenty, machinist mate second class in the U.S. Navy, is missing in action in the South Pacific, the Navy Department notified his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Bowers, 216 Chester St... Source: Lancaster New Era (Lancaster, Pennsylvania), Thursday, 04 January 1945, page 1.
Sailor Reported Lost In Pacific Area.
John Robert Bowers, machinist mate second class, twenty-one, reported missing in action Dec. 18, 1944, when his PT boat was destroyed by enemy action in the Pacific area, "must be considered lost" the Navy Department notified his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Bowers, 216 Chester St. He previously had been reported missing in action... Source: Lancaster New Era (Lancaster, Pennsylvania), Wednesday, 07 March 1945, page 1.
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR 2 COLUMBIANS
A memorial service will be held for John R. Bowers, twnety-one, Machinist Mate 2-c, USN, who died in the South Pacific Dec. 18, 1944 and his cousin, Sgt. Herbert K. Kauffman, who was killed in Germany April 15, in the St John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Columbia, tomorrow at 7 p.m. at the Vesper services, with the Rev. Frank F. Adler, pastor of the church, in charge.
Seaman Bowers was the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Bowers, 216 Chester St., Lancaster, formerly of Columbia. He was a graduate of Columbia High School and was believed to be stationed on a PT boat. Sgt. Kauffman was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Kauffman, of 553 Union St., Columbia. He held the Purple Heart for wounds received in action prior to his death. A member of the regular army, he enlisted in 1939 and served in Africa, and the European Theater.
Gold stars will be placed on the service flag in honor of the boys by veterans of World War I. Source: Lancaster New Era (Lancaster, Pennsylvania), Saturday, 16 June 1945, page 10.
Motor Machinist Mate 2nd Class John R. Bower is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing - United States Navy at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.
He also has a cenotaph in Conestoga Memorial Park Cemetery, Lancaster Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania – Section K, Grave 592.
The attack on PT-300 by a Kamikaze plane was the twelfth attack of that nature suffered by the vessels of this Task Unit in three days.
The four sailors killed on PT-300.
Radioman Third Class Joseph Gerard Amos 836 26 43 USNR
Seaman First Class Albert John Basso 813 70 06 USNR
Machinist's Mate First Class Joseph Miles Brunner 250 73 04 USN
Machinist's Mate Second Class William Louis Dudas 285 02 86 USNR
The four sailors missing in action.
Quartermaster Second Class John Wilder Ball 725 19 99 USNR
Fire Controlman First Class Valmore William Beauregard 579 14 12 USNR
Gunner's Mate Third Class Albert Earl Boone 896 12 93 USNR
Motor Machinist's Mate Second Class John Robert Bowers 244-65 61 USNR
1930 United States Federal Census (15 April 1930): Columbia (Ward 4), Lancaster County, Pennsylvania (sheet 3A, family 58, 440 Walnut Street) – J. Robert Bowers (6 Pennsylvania).
1940 United States Federal Census (11 April 1940): Columbia (Ward 5), Lancaster County, Pennsylvania (sheet 6B, household 121) – Robert Bowers (16 Pennsylvania). His family had lived in the same house in 1935.
Columbia High School, Columbia, Pennsylvania, Class of 1941 - John Robert Bowers
John Robert Bowers (18, 07 February 1924, Columbia, Pennsylvania), a resident of 216 Chester St., Lancaster, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, signed up for his World War II Draft Registration Card (Serial No. N-350, Order No. 11690) on 30 June 1942 in Lancaster, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He was employed by the U. S. Government, Marietta, Pennsylvania. John listed his father, John Bowers, as the person who would always know his address. He was described as 6' in height, 168 lbs., with a dark complexion, brown hair and brown eyes.
He was employed at the U. S. military Marietta Holding and Reconsignment Point along the Susquehanna River. Its primary mission was to receive and store Quartermaster, Ordinance, Medical, Engineer, and Signal Corps supplies until east coast ports were in a position to receive and ship materials overseas.
John R. Bowers, a resident of Lancaster, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, enlisted in the U.S. Navy on 30 October 1942 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He received his basic training at Bainbridge, Maryland and graduated from motor machinist school in Boston. He then went on to the PT boat school in Rhode Island.
MM2c John R. Bowers (S/N 244 65 61) V-6 USNR "satisfactorily completed the prescribed course of training for Motor Torpedo Boat Duty" on 02 August 1943 at the United States Navy Motor Torpedo Boat Squadrons Training Center at Melville, Rhode Island.
He was assigned to the Motor Torpedo Boat PT-300. He was one of the charter members of the crew. MM2c John R. Bowers was received on board on 27 October 1943, the day PT-300 was commissioned. MTB Commissioning Detail, New Orleans, Louisiana. PT's 295-301 were designated as Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron SIXTEEN B (PTRon 16B).
PT-300 Specifications:
78' Higgins Motor Torpedo Boat
Displacement: 56 tons
Length: 78 feet
Beam: 20' 8"
Draft: 5' 3"
Speed :41 knots.
Complement: 17 crew
Armament: One 40mm mount, two 21" torpedoes, two twin .50 cal. machine guns, one 37mm mount and one 20mm mount
Propulsion: Three 1,500 shaft horsepower (shp) Packard W-14 M2500 gasoline engines, three shafts.
On 15 December 1944 during the morning PT-300 and PT-230 were operating in Mangarin Bay off San Jose on Mindoro Island, Philippines. After entering Mangarin Bay, a single Japanese plane strafed PT-320 without causing damage and then made a circle and began a dive on LST-605 unloading on the beach. Both PT boats and LST-605 opened fire hitting the aircraft and shot off part of the tail that caused it to crash ashore 50 yards from the LST and killed 5 men and wounded 11 ashore.
On 18 December 1944, PT-300 with some other PT boats from Task Unit 70.1.4 entered Mangarin Bay. PT-300 was on a southeasterly course paralleling the beach at a speed of about twenty knots. At about 1600 hours the PT boats were spotted and attacked by three Japanese Ki-51 Sonias.
One of the planes made a low diving kamikaze attack on PT-300 (ironically named Kamikaze Val). PT-300 immediately initiated evasive procedures. However despite the vessel's quick turns and a hail of bullets fired at the plane by it and the other PT boats, the Ki-51 kept coming. At the last instant, Lieutenant Commander Almer P. Colvin, skipper of Squadron 16, ordered a sharp right to the starboard. He guessed wrong. The pilot turned his plane in the same direction at the same time resulting in disaster for PT-300. The Kamikaze slammed into the starboard quarter amidships of the engine room. Almost immediately the boat was engulfed in fire, there was a huge explosion that sent all but three men on PT-300 flying into the water, and the boat split in two. The stern sank immediately and the bow portion of the boat remained afloat for eight (8) hours engulfed in flames from the burning gasoline around it. It sank about 300 yards offshore of Caminawit Point.
"The crew and officers of PT-300 should be commended highly for their bravery and courage in this action. Their heroism is of the highest as they all stayed by their posts and not one gun ceased firing until the plane crashed into the boat." Source: Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron SIXTEEN Action Report, PT 300, 18 December 1944.
Aboard, the crew of fifteen (15) suffered four (4) were dead; four (4) missing including Motor Machinist Mate 2nd Class John R. Bowers and six (6) wounded. Only one crew member escaped uninjured.
Results of the action: one (1) PT boat lost, against one (1) enemy plane destroyed together with its pilot. The body of the Japanese pilot was recovered.
Source: Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron SIXTEEN Action Report, PT-300, 18 December 1944
John's body was never recovered.
"The bow section of PT 300 tormented the PT boat sailors on Mindoro by burning all night. William A. Bahn explained years after the war, "Every time we looked we thought of the fellows who were killed and about the wives and mothers when they got the telegrams. That was the 18th of December and they would probably get the news for Christmas." Source: PT Boat Odyssey: In the Pacific War with Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 16, 1943-1945 by Robert P. Gelzheiser (2019 McFarland & Company, North Carolina), page 168.
Western Union Telegram 29 December 1944
RXP20 69 GOVT=WASHINGTON DC 29 250A
John V Bowers
216 Chester St
The Navy Department deeply regrets to inform you that your son John Robert Bowers Motor Machinists Mate Second Class USNR is missing following action while in the service of his country. The department appreciates your great anxiety but details not now available and delay in receipt thereof must necessarily be expected. To prevent possible aid to our enemies please do not divulge the name of his ship or station.
MM2c Bowers Missing In South Pacific
John Robert Bowers, twenty, machinist mate second class in the U.S. Navy, is missing in action in the South Pacific, the Navy Department notified his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Bowers, 216 Chester St... Source: Lancaster New Era (Lancaster, Pennsylvania), Thursday, 04 January 1945, page 1.
Sailor Reported Lost In Pacific Area.
John Robert Bowers, machinist mate second class, twenty-one, reported missing in action Dec. 18, 1944, when his PT boat was destroyed by enemy action in the Pacific area, "must be considered lost" the Navy Department notified his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Bowers, 216 Chester St. He previously had been reported missing in action... Source: Lancaster New Era (Lancaster, Pennsylvania), Wednesday, 07 March 1945, page 1.
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR 2 COLUMBIANS
A memorial service will be held for John R. Bowers, twnety-one, Machinist Mate 2-c, USN, who died in the South Pacific Dec. 18, 1944 and his cousin, Sgt. Herbert K. Kauffman, who was killed in Germany April 15, in the St John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Columbia, tomorrow at 7 p.m. at the Vesper services, with the Rev. Frank F. Adler, pastor of the church, in charge.
Seaman Bowers was the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Bowers, 216 Chester St., Lancaster, formerly of Columbia. He was a graduate of Columbia High School and was believed to be stationed on a PT boat. Sgt. Kauffman was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Kauffman, of 553 Union St., Columbia. He held the Purple Heart for wounds received in action prior to his death. A member of the regular army, he enlisted in 1939 and served in Africa, and the European Theater.
Gold stars will be placed on the service flag in honor of the boys by veterans of World War I. Source: Lancaster New Era (Lancaster, Pennsylvania), Saturday, 16 June 1945, page 10.
Motor Machinist Mate 2nd Class John R. Bower is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing - United States Navy at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.
He also has a cenotaph in Conestoga Memorial Park Cemetery, Lancaster Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania – Section K, Grave 592.
The attack on PT-300 by a Kamikaze plane was the twelfth attack of that nature suffered by the vessels of this Task Unit in three days.
The four sailors killed on PT-300.
Radioman Third Class Joseph Gerard Amos 836 26 43 USNR
Seaman First Class Albert John Basso 813 70 06 USNR
Machinist's Mate First Class Joseph Miles Brunner 250 73 04 USN
Machinist's Mate Second Class William Louis Dudas 285 02 86 USNR
The four sailors missing in action.
Quartermaster Second Class John Wilder Ball 725 19 99 USNR
Fire Controlman First Class Valmore William Beauregard 579 14 12 USNR
Gunner's Mate Third Class Albert Earl Boone 896 12 93 USNR
Motor Machinist's Mate Second Class John Robert Bowers 244-65 61 USNR
1940 United States Federal Census (11 April 1940): Columbia (Ward 5), Lancaster County, Pennsylvania (sheet 6B, household 121) – Robert Bowers (16 Pennsylvania). His family had lived in the same house in 1935.
Columbia High School, Columbia, Pennsylvania, Class of 1941 - John Robert Bowers
John Robert Bowers (18, 07 February 1924, Columbia, Pennsylvania), a resident of 216 Chester St., Lancaster, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, signed up for his World War II Draft Registration Card (Serial No. N-350, Order No. 11690) on 30 June 1942 in Lancaster, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He was employed by the U. S. Government, Marietta, Pennsylvania. John listed his father, John Bowers, as the person who would always know his address. He was described as 6' in height, 168 lbs., with a dark complexion, brown hair and brown eyes.
He was employed at the U. S. military Marietta Holding and Reconsignment Point along the Susquehanna River. Its primary mission was to receive and store Quartermaster, Ordinance, Medical, Engineer, and Signal Corps supplies until east coast ports were in a position to receive and ship materials overseas.
John R. Bowers, a resident of Lancaster, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, enlisted in the U.S. Navy on 30 October 1942 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He received his basic training at Bainbridge, Maryland and graduated from motor machinist school in Boston. He then went on to the PT boat school in Rhode Island.
MM2c John R. Bowers (S/N 244 65 61) V-6 USNR "satisfactorily completed the prescribed course of training for Motor Torpedo Boat Duty" on 02 August 1943 at the United States Navy Motor Torpedo Boat Squadrons Training Center at Melville, Rhode Island.
He was assigned to the Motor Torpedo Boat PT-300. He was one of the charter members of the crew. MM2c John R. Bowers was received on board on 27 October 1943, the day PT-300 was commissioned. MTB Commissioning Detail, New Orleans, Louisiana. PT's 295-301 were designated as Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron SIXTEEN B (PTRon 16B).
PT-300 Specifications:
78' Higgins Motor Torpedo Boat
Displacement: 56 tons
Length: 78 feet
Beam: 20' 8"
Draft: 5' 3"
Speed :41 knots.
Complement: 17 crew
Armament: One 40mm mount, two 21" torpedoes, two twin .50 cal. machine guns, one 37mm mount and one 20mm mount
Propulsion: Three 1,500 shaft horsepower (shp) Packard W-14 M2500 gasoline engines, three shafts.
On 15 December 1944 during the morning PT-300 and PT-230 were operating in Mangarin Bay off San Jose on Mindoro Island, Philippines. After entering Mangarin Bay, a single Japanese plane strafed PT-320 without causing damage and then made a circle and began a dive on LST-605 unloading on the beach. Both PT boats and LST-605 opened fire hitting the aircraft and shot off part of the tail that caused it to crash ashore 50 yards from the LST and killed 5 men and wounded 11 ashore.
On 18 December 1944, PT-300 with some other PT boats from Task Unit 70.1.4 entered Mangarin Bay. PT-300 was on a southeasterly course paralleling the beach at a speed of about twenty knots. At about 1600 hours the PT boats were spotted and attacked by three Japanese Ki-51 Sonias.
One of the planes made a low diving kamikaze attack on PT-300 (ironically named Kamikaze Val). PT-300 immediately initiated evasive procedures. However despite the vessel's quick turns and a hail of bullets fired at the plane by it and the other PT boats, the Ki-51 kept coming. At the last instant, Lieutenant Commander Almer P. Colvin, skipper of Squadron 16, ordered a sharp right to the starboard. He guessed wrong. The pilot turned his plane in the same direction at the same time resulting in disaster for PT-300. The Kamikaze slammed into the starboard quarter amidships of the engine room. Almost immediately the boat was engulfed in fire, there was a huge explosion that sent all but three men on PT-300 flying into the water, and the boat split in two. The stern sank immediately and the bow portion of the boat remained afloat for eight (8) hours engulfed in flames from the burning gasoline around it. It sank about 300 yards offshore of Caminawit Point.
"The crew and officers of PT-300 should be commended highly for their bravery and courage in this action. Their heroism is of the highest as they all stayed by their posts and not one gun ceased firing until the plane crashed into the boat." Source: Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron SIXTEEN Action Report, PT 300, 18 December 1944.
Aboard, the crew of fifteen (15) suffered four (4) were dead; four (4) missing including Motor Machinist Mate 2nd Class John R. Bowers and six (6) wounded. Only one crew member escaped uninjured.
Results of the action: one (1) PT boat lost, against one (1) enemy plane destroyed together with its pilot. The body of the Japanese pilot was recovered.
Source: Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron SIXTEEN Action Report, PT-300, 18 December 1944
John's body was never recovered.
"The bow section of PT 300 tormented the PT boat sailors on Mindoro by burning all night. William A. Bahn explained years after the war, "Every time we looked we thought of the fellows who were killed and about the wives and mothers when they got the telegrams. That was the 18th of December and they would probably get the news for Christmas." Source: PT Boat Odyssey: In the Pacific War with Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 16, 1943-1945 by Robert P. Gelzheiser (2019 McFarland & Company, North Carolina), page 168.
Western Union Telegram 29 December 1944
RXP20 69 GOVT=WASHINGTON DC 29 250A
John V Bowers
216 Chester St
The Navy Department deeply regrets to inform you that your son John Robert Bowers Motor Machinists Mate Second Class USNR is missing following action while in the service of his country. The department appreciates your great anxiety but details not now available and delay in receipt thereof must necessarily be expected. To prevent possible aid to our enemies please do not divulge the name of his ship or station.
MM2c Bowers Missing In South Pacific
John Robert Bowers, twenty, machinist mate second class in the U.S. Navy, is missing in action in the South Pacific, the Navy Department notified his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Bowers, 216 Chester St... Source: Lancaster New Era (Lancaster, Pennsylvania), Thursday, 04 January 1945, page 1.
Sailor Reported Lost In Pacific Area.
John Robert Bowers, machinist mate second class, twenty-one, reported missing in action Dec. 18, 1944, when his PT boat was destroyed by enemy action in the Pacific area, "must be considered lost" the Navy Department notified his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Bowers, 216 Chester St. He previously had been reported missing in action... Source: Lancaster New Era (Lancaster, Pennsylvania), Wednesday, 07 March 1945, page 1.
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR 2 COLUMBIANS
A memorial service will be held for John R. Bowers, twnety-one, Machinist Mate 2-c, USN, who died in the South Pacific Dec. 18, 1944 and his cousin, Sgt. Herbert K. Kauffman, who was killed in Germany April 15, in the St John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Columbia, tomorrow at 7 p.m. at the Vesper services, with the Rev. Frank F. Adler, pastor of the church, in charge.
Seaman Bowers was the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Bowers, 216 Chester St., Lancaster, formerly of Columbia. He was a graduate of Columbia High School and was believed to be stationed on a PT boat. Sgt. Kauffman was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Kauffman, of 553 Union St., Columbia. He held the Purple Heart for wounds received in action prior to his death. A member of the regular army, he enlisted in 1939 and served in Africa, and the European Theater.
Gold stars will be placed on the service flag in honor of the boys by veterans of World War I. Source: Lancaster New Era (Lancaster, Pennsylvania), Saturday, 16 June 1945, page 10.
Motor Machinist Mate 2nd Class John R. Bower is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing - United States Navy at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.
He also has a cenotaph in Conestoga Memorial Park Cemetery, Lancaster Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania – Section K, Grave 592.
The attack on PT-300 by a Kamikaze plane was the twelfth attack of that nature suffered by the vessels of this Task Unit in three days.
The four sailors killed on PT-300.
Radioman Third Class Joseph Gerard Amos 836 26 43 USNR
Seaman First Class Albert John Basso 813 70 06 USNR
Machinist's Mate First Class Joseph Miles Brunner 250 73 04 USN
Machinist's Mate Second Class William Louis Dudas 285 02 86 USNR
The four sailors missing in action.
Quartermaster Second Class John Wilder Ball 725 19 99 USNR
Fire Controlman First Class Valmore William Beauregard 579 14 12 USNR
Gunner's Mate Third Class Albert Earl Boone 896 12 93 USNR
Motor Machinist's Mate Second Class John Robert Bowers 244-65 61 USNR
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Pennsylvania.
Family Members
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