Advertisement

AOM2c Wilson William “Skippy” Harner
Monument

Advertisement

AOM2c Wilson William “Skippy” Harner Veteran

Birth
Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, Indiana, USA
Death
11 Apr 1945 (aged 23)
At Sea
Monument
Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines Add to Map
Plot
Tablets of the Missing - United States Army and Army Air Forces
Memorial ID
View Source
Wilson William Harner
Aviation Ordnanceman Second Class, U.S. Navy
Service # 6270497
United States Naval Reserve
Entered the Service from: Indiana
Missing in Action: 11 April 1945, Formosa Straits off Taiwan
Official Date of Death: 12 April 1946
Disposition: Nonrecoverable
Memorial: Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines
Awards: Air Medal with 2 Gold Stars, Purple Heart, American Theater Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Ribbon with four stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one star and a special Presidential citation for meritorious action following a flight on 24 March 1945.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
He had three brothers and seven sisters.
1930 United States Federal Census: Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, Indiana - Wilson Harner (8 Indiana).

Wilson W. Harner graduated with the class of 1943 from Jefferson High School. He was a member of Grace United Brethren Church and Order of DeMolay (a character-building and leadership development organization for young men). He was employed at Britt Brothers' market.

Wilson William Harner (20, 24 January 1922, Lafayette, Indiana), a resident of R.R. 3, Lafayette, Indiana, signed up for his World War II Draft Registration Card (Serial No. N-43, Order No. 12301) on 30 June 1942 in Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, Indiana. He was employed by Floyd Britt. Wilson listed his mother, Mrs. Pearl Harner, as the person who would always know his address. He was described as 5' 4" in height, 128 lbs., with a ruddy complexion, brown hair and hazel eyes.

Wilson William Harner enlisted in the U.S. Navy (S/N 6270497) on 11 September 1942 in Lafayette, Indiana. He was sent to the Great Lakes Naval Training Station, Illinois for his apprentice seamen training.

U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls › 04 November 1942 to 10 November 1942
AS Wilson W. Harner (627 04 97) V6 is listed as a passenger on the U.S.S. Mount Vernon AP-22. He was received on 04 November 1942 at RS/SF and was transferred on 10 November at RS/PHTH.

Wilson was assigned to Headquarters Squadron Fleet Air Wing 2 and sent to Honolulu, where he graduated from a gunnery school at Kaneohe Bay, on 16 October 1943. On 20 October 1943 he was assigned to VPB-106, a Patrol Bomber squadron known as the "Wolverators". It was commissioned at NAAS Camp Kearny, California on 01 June 1943.

"They trained for combat in California until their deployment to Hawaii. On 18 August 1943 the squadron deployed to NAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii and flew the PB4Y-1 Liberators. In September and October, VPB-106 conducted bombing and surveillance missions on the Japanese islands of Wake, Canton and Makin from NAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii and Midway islands.

On 28 October, 1943, the squadron deployed to NAB Carney Field, Guadalcanal. The first combat missions from Guadacanal were scheduled on 11 November 1943 and each day thereafter. The squadron operated with Bombing Squadron 104 (VB-104) as the NAVY SEARCH GROUP conducting regular and special search operations in accordance with ComAirSoPac Search Plans 1-43 and 2-43. The search zone, fifteen degree sectors, covered the ocean area North West up the slot to Kavieng, New Ireland then north and east, including Nauru Island. Enemy installations were bombed repeatedly on OCEAN Island, GREEN Island, NEW IRELAND, KIETA, and KAPINGAMARANGI. From arrival until 05 February 1944, VB-106 missions included the previously mentioned flights and also daily reconnaissance against NAURU Island, a heavily defended island to the northeast.

From 05 February 1944 until 24 March 1944, the squadron operated from Munda, New Georgia with VB-104. In addition to the regular patrol/anti shipping flights, the VB-106 crews acted as aerial spotters for Navy Destroyers and Cruisers shelling enemy installations at KAVIENG on February 17-25, RABAUL, DUKE of YORK, HAMELA MISSION area, BUKA and NAMATANAI on New Ireland. Other bombing and strafing missions were conducted against TARO Island, CHOISEUL Bay and MONORTU Mission on Bougainville. This new advanced base, Munda, provided greater range for the planes in their search and attack against Japanese shipping supplying Japanese bases on New Guinea, New Ireland and other strategic sites.

On 25 March 1944 the squadron moved to Nadzab, New Guinea....Eight hundred mile sectors were flown from Finchofen, New Guinea to the west, north and east."

On 11 April 1944, the squadron moved to Momote Airfield, Los Negros Islands, Admiralties to operate eleven planes from this base. Four additional planes were deployed to Wadke Island under the temporary operational control of ComGen5thAF.

From 27 May to 25 July 1944, the squadron stood down, and the aircrews enjoyed a much needed R&R in Southern California.

Brothers in Pacific Area Have Reunion
Sgt. John W. Harner of the Cyclone division, stationed on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, and his brother, Wilson W. Harner, A.O. M. 2-c, U.S. naval air forces, enjoyed a happy reunion in Oahu recently. Sons of Mr. and Mrs. H. D. Harner, 2139 North Thirteenth street, they hadn't met for two and a half years. Wilson, who has been on foreign duty for 19 months is now in California and is expected home soon. John has been overseas for six months. Journal and Courier (Lafayette, Indiana), Saturday, 17 June 1944, page 2.

AOM 2-c Wilson W. Harner was able to go home for a short furlough and visit his family in Indiana.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Local Boy in Famed Far East Squadron
Wilson W. Harner, AOM 2-c USNR, 720 North Fifth street, is a member of the renowned VB 106 squadron of Liberator bombers in the South Pacific. This squadron searched approximately 125,000 miles daily from successive bases at Midway, Canton, Baker, Funafuti, Guadalcanal, Munday, Nadzav, the Admiralty Islands, and Wake. The squadron served as "advanced man" for invasion forces in the American resurgence in the Pacific.

Squadron VB 106 flew 1,262 sorties totaling 16,000 hours and never once cancelled a mission. Nor did it confine its activities to more searching and reporting. It bombed opportune targets when found, sinking 43 Jap ships and damaging 54 which included 33 cargo vessels and three submarines. Fifteen Japanese planes were shot down and 22 more scores as probables; five planes were smashed on the ground and 17 more probably destroyed. In addition, VB 106 flew photographic and escort missions and spotted targets for task forces.

But it was VB 106's searches – 2,000 miles reconnaissance flights – which counted most for the fleet. Working ahead of the task forces, they made available to commanders completed reports on everything in the 1000 mile strip ahead. Source: Journal and Courier (Lafayette, Indiana), Thursday, 27 July 1944, page 22, and Clarion-News (Opelousas, Louisiana), Thursday, 27 July 1944, pages 1&2.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AOM2c Wilson W. Harner was transferred to Patrol Bombing Squadron, One Hundred Nineteen.

The One Hundred Nineteenth was formed at the Naval Auxiliary Air Station, Camp Kearney, California, on 15 August 1944. The squadron trained in gunnery, bombing, instruments, and navigation.

U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls › 17 August 1944 to 30 September 1944
BOMBING SQUADRON ONE HUNDRED NINETEEN:
AOM2C Wilson W. Harner (627 04 97) V6 enlisted on 11 September 1942 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was first received on board on 17 August 1944 at HEDROM 14-2, FAW-14.

In November, the squadron was issued 15 new PB4Y-2 aircraft. They transited to Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii in December in preparation for deployment to the war zones.

U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls › U.S.S. Nassau (CVE-16) › November 1944
Roster of Enlisted Passengers; Embarked by 11th Naval District; Naval Transportation Service, San Diego, California; Destination: Pearl - AOM2c Wilson William Harner (627 04 97).

U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls › 31 December 1944
Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED NINETEEN (VB-119)
AOM2c Wilson W. Harner (627 04 97)

After a short tour at Midway Island for anti-submarine patrols and further training, the squadron began deployment to the SW Pacific on 07 February 1945. Initially, they were directed to Tacloban airfield, Leyte, Philippines but were diverted to Mokerang Airfield, Los Negros Island, to standby; eventually, they were ordered to Clark Field, Luzon, arriving there on 02 March 1945. Patrol Bombing Squadron One Hundred Nineteen was the first squadron to operate the new "Privateer" in the Philippines. There, VPB-119 along with squadron VPB-104 engaged in "Offensive Search" patrols, flying sectored searches of the South China Sea and the coasts of Viet Nam and SE China.

U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls › 31 March 1945 › Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED NINETEEN: AOM2c (CA) Wilson W. Harner (627 04 97); date first received on board 17 August 1944

At Clark Field, Aviation Machinist's Mate, First Class, Wilson William Harner was the First Ordnance Man on a 4-engine PB4Y-2 Privateer, Bu. No. 59414, which carried a crew of 12. The plane was piloted by Lt (jg) Aubry L. Althans. The book by Alan Carey "PB4Y-2 Privateer" describes the incident that led to Harner's first Air Medal as follows: "Lieutenant (jg) Aubry L. Althans overtook a Nakajima B6N2 Tenzan bomber nicknamed Jill flying at 1,000 feet, and after his gunners expended 1,200 rounds of ammunition, the enemy plane spun into the water and exploded." Copies of Harner's 3 air medal award cards are part of this group. The first Air Medal citation states "For meritorious action while participating in aerial flight. On 12 March 1945, Aviation Ordnanceman Wilson W. Harner, while a member of a regular combat flight crew of a Navy Privateer, engaged in an armed search mission over enemy waters, contributed to the destruction of an enemy torpedo plane. His skill, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with highest traditions of the United States Naval Service"

Aircraft Action Report No. 14; Unit Reporting: VPB-119; Based at: Clark Field, P.I.
Take off Date: 06 March 1945; Time (LZT) 0414 I; Lat 15°11'N Long 120°35'E
Mission: Search; Time of Return: 1840 I
Bombs and Torpedoes Carried: 5 x 100 lb. G.P.; Fuse Setting: 4-5 seconds
Miles out: 965; Miles Return: 965; Hours in Air: 14.4
Day: Hazy; Visibility: 5 miles
Target (s) and Location: 3 SD 150 tons each (24°27"N, 124° 10'E) Time Over Target: 1440 I
Clouds Over Target: 800, cumulus 5/10
Damage: 1 SD sunk, 1 SD serious, 1 SD results unknown
Narrative: "Lt(jg) A. L. ALTHANS sighted 3 SD's on course 000, speed 7-8K. He made two bombing runs, dropping three and two 100 lb. bombs. On the second run a direct hit was registered on one SD and it sank. A near miss was scored on the second SD but no damage was apparent. Several strafing runs were then made on the remaining two SD's. Many hits were made and one SD was set on fire – when last seen it was burning badly and probably sank. Damage to the third SD is unknown. Source: United States Pacific Fleet - PATROL BOMBING SQUADRON ONE HUNDRED NINETEEN Action Report ACA-1 Report No. 14, Lt(jg) A. L. ALTHANS - Crew 17, page 14.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Aircraft Action Report No. 20; Unit Reporting: VPB-119; Based at: Clark Field, P.I.
Take off Date: 12 March 1945; Time (LZT) 0500 I; Lat 15°11'N Long 120°35'E
Mission: Search
Bombs and Torpedoes Carried: 5 x 100 lb. G.P.; 3 x 250 100 lb. G.P., Fuse Setting: 4-5 seconds
Miles out: 915; Miles Return: 915; Hours in Air: 12.5
Day: Hazy; Visibility: 10 miles
Enemy Aircraft Engaged: JILL (28°22'N, 121° 50'E – 1115 I
Camouflage and markings: Green, Red discs; Destroyed
Narrative: "Lt(jg) A. L. ALTHANS sighted a JILL from a distance. The JILL was low on the water, altitude approximately 1000 ft. Lt(jg) ALTHANS was at an altitude of 2000 ft. and closed by indicating 230K. The JILL dove to 500 ft, turning alternately to right and left. The PB4Y-2 was not able to turn inside of the JILL, but all guns were brought to bear at one time or another. Twelve hundred rounds of .50 caliber ammunition was poured into the JILL. The JILL fired about 50 rounds of 7.7 but was inaccurate. The JILL spun into the water and exploded, as evidenced by the attached photograph. Source: United States Pacific Fleet - PATROL BOMBING SQUADRON ONE HUNDRED NINETEEN Action Report ACA-1 Report No. 20, Lt(jg) A. L. ALTHANS - Crew 17, page 2

"Lieutenant (jg) Aubry L. Althans overtook a Nakajima B6N2 Tenzan bomber nicknamed Jill flying at 1,000 feet at 24-21N, 121-50E. He closed by indicating 230 knots and followed the Jill down to 500 ft. 1,200 rounds of fifty calibre was expended. The Jill, spun into the water and exploded." Source: War Diary - PATROL BOMBING SQUADRON ONE HUNDRED NINETEEN 01 March 1945-31 March 1945, page 5.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
21 March - "Lt (jg) A. L. ALTHANS, USNR, strafed a Lugger at 28-19N, 129-15E, leaving it dead in the water, trailing oil and all personnel apparently killed." Source: War Diary - PATROL BOMBING SQUADRON ONE HUNDRED NINETEEN 01 March 1945-31 March 1945, page 7.

Aircraft Action Report No. 37; Unit Reporting: VPB-119; Based at: Clark Field, P.I.
Take off Date: 21 March 1945; Time (LZT) 0506 I; Lat 15°11'N Long 120°35'E
Mission: Search; Time of Return: 1808 I
Bombs and Torpedoes Carried: 5 x 100 lb. G.P.; Fuse Setting: 4-5 seconds
Miles out: 970; Miles Return: 970; Hours in Air: 13.0
Day: Clear; Visibility: 10 miles
Target and Location: 1 Lugger (75 tons), 28°19'N, 129° 15'E – 1150 I; Damage: Serious
Narrative: "Lt(jg) A. L. ALTHANS sighted a Lugger underway, course 190°, speed 10K. He immediately made a bombing and strafing run at masthead level, releasing 2 x 100 lb. G.P. bombs. The bombs missed (bomb release system failed to function properly, releasing bombs late), but the Lugger was sprayed with fifty caliber fire (1100 rounds) – additional strafing runs were made. When last seen the Lugger was dead in the water, trailing oil badly, and all personnel were apparently killed." Source: United States Pacific Fleet - PATROL BOMBING SQUADRON ONE HUNDRED NINETEEN Action Report ACA-1 Report No. 37, Lt(jg) A. L. ALTHANS - Crew 17, page 60
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Harner's second Air Medal citation reads as above, except was for action on 24 March 1945 when an "enemy reconnaissance plane" was destroyed.

Aircraft Action Report No. 41; Unit Reporting: VPB-119; Based at: Clark Field, P.I.
Take off Date: 24 March 1945; Time (LZT) 0545I; Lat 15°11'N Long 120°35'E
Mission: Search; Time of Return 1906 I
Bombs and Torpedoes Carried: 5 x 100 lb. G.P.; Fuse Setting: 4-5 seconds
Miles out: 910; Miles Return: 910; Hours in Air: 14.4
Day: Clear; Visibility: 8 miles
Location of Encounter: No. of Tamsui 25°10'N, 121° 21'E
Narrative: "Lt(jg) A. L. ALTHANS sighted the JAKE 25 miles north of TAMSUI Harbor, Formosa, flying North at an altitude of 2000 ft. Lt(jg) A. L. ALTHANS altitude was 3000 ft. When he started after the enemy plane the latter headed for the North coast of Formosa in the direction of TAMSUI harbor. His evasive tactics consisted of diving S turns and his rear seat gunner fired ineffective twin mount 7.7 MM bursts. After Lt(jg) A. L. ALTHANS first run over the top of the plane, with four turrets firing, the JAKE began to burn badly and within 30 seconds crashed into the water about 5 miles off shore. After the JAKE sank there was a large explosion indicating the possibility of depth charges." Source: United States Pacific Fleet - PATROL BOMBING SQUADRON ONE HUNDRED NINETEEN Action Report ACA-1 Report No. 41, Lt(jg) A. L. ALTHANS - Crew 17, page 25.

"Lt (jg) A. L. ALTHANS, USNR, accounted for his second plane when he shot down a Jake near Tamsui Harbor. The Jake was about 25 miles off shore at an altitude of 2000 ft. 21 Lt (jg) A. L. ALTHANS made one run over the Jake as it was making S turns. The Jake began to burn badly and within 30 seconds crashed into the sea about 5 miles off shore." Source: War Diary - PATROL BOMBING SQUADRON ONE HUNDRED NINETEEN 01 March 1945-31 March 1945, page 8.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
27 March - "Lt (jg) A. L. ALTHANS, USNR, sighted a Sugar Dog at 20-13N, 111-08E. Dropping three 100 lb. G.P. bombs he obtained one direct hit which sank the enemy ship. He then damaged a large barge at 22-05N, 113-26E, strafing it with 300 rounds. Later a Fox Tare Dog was attacked at 22-05N, 113-50E. Two 250 lb. G.P. bombs were dropped on the first run and two 100 lb. G.P. bombs on the second. One 250 lb. bomb hit the deck of the Fox Tare Dog damaging it seriously so that it was forced to beach." Source: War Diary - PATROL BOMBING SQUADRON ONE HUNDRED NINETEEN 01 March 1945-31 March 1945, page 9.

Aircraft Action Report No. 43; Unit Reporting: VPB-119; Based at: Clark Field, P.I.
Take off Date: 27 March 1945; Time (LZT) 0700 I; Lat 15°11'N Long 120°35'E
Mission: Search; Time of Return 1937 I
Bombs and Torpedoes Carried: 3 x 250 100 lb. G.P., 5 x 100 lb. G.P.; Fuse Setting: 4-5 seconds
Miles out: 850; Miles Return: 850; Hours in Air: 12.7
Day: Hazy; Visibility: 5 miles; Clouds Over Target: 2000 Ft. Cumulus
Target (s) and Location:
1 SD 200 tons (20°13"N, 111° 08'E – 1120 I - sunk
1 Barge 10 tons (22°01"N, 113° 26'E – 1315 I - Slight
1 FTD 600 tons (22°05"N, 113° 50'E – 1410 I - Serious
Narrative: "While on routine search mission to the Coast of China, Lt(jg) A. L. ALTHANS sighted a SD underway. A masthead bombing and strafing run was made on which 3 x 100 lb. G.P. bombs were dropped – one hit was scored. The SD started listing to port and burning badly – on his return trip Lt(jg) ALTHANS passed the scene of action & found the SD on the bottom with debris spread over the surface.

Lt(jg) ALTHANS next sighted a large barge loaded with 2 large trucks at anchor in a small cove. A strafing run passed the entrance to the cove, started a small fire on deck, but amount of damage is uncertain.

At 1410 I, Lt(jg) ALTHANS sighted a FTD underway at 22° 05'N, 113° 50'E, traveling at a speed of 14 knots. Bombing and strafing runs were made at masthead level, two 250 lb. G.P. bombs being dropped on the first run and two 100 lb. G.P. bombs on the second. 2510 rounds of fifty caliber were expended. The vessel nosed into a small rocky Island after one bomb hit, listing to starboard, ad then beached, seriously damaged." Source: United States Pacific Fleet - PATROL BOMBING SQUADRON ONE HUNDRED NINETEEN Action Report ACA-1 Report No. 43, Lt(jg) A. L. ALTHANS - Crew 17, page 12
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
5 April - "Lt (jg) A. L. ALTHANS, USNR, first attacked a Tug towing two thirty foot Barges at 24-21N, 124-00E. A direct it with a 100 lb. bomb set the Tug on fire and destroyed it. The Barges were damaged by strafing. Lt (jg) A. L. ALTHANS next attacked a Lugger anchored near a pier at Hateruma Shima. A direct 100 lb. bomb hit and blew it up. Source: War Diary - PATROL BOMBING SQUADRON ONE HUNDRED NINETEEN 01 April 1945-30 April 1945, page 3.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Harner's third Air Medal award states "For Meritorious actions while participating in aerial flight. During the period from 4 March 1945 to 5 April 1945 Aviation Ordnanceman Second Class Harner, Wilson W. participated in five (5) flights in an active combat area where enemy anti-aircraft fire was expected to be effective and enemy aircraft patrols usually occur."

"On 11 April Lt. (jg) Aubrey Althans, was presumed lost ot enemy action when he failed to return from a patrol of western Formosa." Source: War History, VB 119, 8/15/44 to 10/1/44 & VPB 119, 10/1/44 to 9/3/45, page 6.

The United States Pacific Fleet War Diary - PATROL BOMBING SQUADRON ONE HUNDRED NINETEEN report for the plane states "On 11 April 1945, Lt. (jg) A. L. Althans, USNR, 251106, flying PB4Y-2 Bu. No. 59414, failed to return from routine search of the Formosa Straits area. No word of his fate has been received. The following officers and men are missing in action:
Commander: ALTHANS, AUBREY L., LT (JG), USNR, 251106
Co-Pilot: MATHEWS, WILLIAM C., LIEUT (JG), (AL), USNR, 301664
Co-Pilot: KIRBY, Donald D., Ensign, (Al), USNR, 378780
Plane Captain: ADAMS, James W., 618 64 51, AMMF1c (T), V-2 USNR
First Radioman: STEIN, George H., 618 08 45, ARM1c (T), SV V-6, USNR
First Ordnance Man: HARNER, Wilson W., 627 04 97, AOM2c, V-6 USNR
Bombardier: JAKUBIAK, Edward A., 861 93 44, AOMB2c (AB), SV V-6, USNR
Bow Turret Gunner: BAGLEY, Charles A., 890 40 50, AOM23c, SV USN
Forward Upper Deck Turret Gunner: LAWRENCE, Bearl A., 850 80 93, ARA3c, SV, V-6, USNR
Aft Upper Deck Turret Gunner: BOGACZ, Casimer J., 300 93 15, AMMF1c (T), USN
Starboard Waist Turret Gunner: CHRISTIANO, Francis J., 805 31 60, AMMF2c (T), SV V-6, USNR
Tail Turret Gunner: ELFREICH, Harold H., 293 19 49, S1c(ARM), V-6, USNR
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls › 30 April 1945 › Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED NINETEEN: AOM2c Wilson W. Harner (627 04 97); USNR › Missing › 11 April 1945 › Failed to return from armed reconnaissance patrol in PB4Y-2 plane. He had completed 12 missions while at Clark Field before he was lost.

Navy Airman Is Reported Missing
Mr. and Mrs. H.D. Harner, 829 North Thirteenth street, received word Tuesday from the government that their son, A. O. M. 2-c Wilson E. (Skippy) Harner, 22, navy air corps, had been missing in action since April 11, in the Pacific theater of war. A turret gunner on a PB 4Y2, one of the new naval aircraft, he had been based in the Philippines and the day before he was reported missing he was with his brother, Sgt. John Harner, U.S. navy, also stationed in the Philippines.

Harner, a 1942 graduate of Jefferson high school, is a member of DeMolay. He entered service Sept. 1, 1943, taking boot training at Great Lakes. He was then sent to Honolulu, where he graduated from a gunnery school at Kaneohe bay, on Oct. 16, 1943 and was assigned to Fleet Airway 2, VPB 106 and served in Guadalcanal, Munda, Wewak, and Admiralty islands. He he returned here last fall for a 30-day leave he was wearing seven stars on his ribbon. At the conclusion of his leave he was again sent to the South Pacific. Source: Journal and Courier (Lafayette, Indiana), Tuesday, 24 April 1945, page 12.

The crew remained MISSING IN ACTION until a year and a day later (12 April 1946) when they were all officially declared dead. Aviation Ordnanceman Second Class Wilson William Harner is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing - United States Army and Army Air Forces at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.

AOM2c Wilson William Harner also has a cenotaph in Rest Haven Memorial Park, Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, Indiana.

See his medals at: (https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/60925-posthumous-navy-aom2c-group/)

IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR DEAR SON AND BROTHER WILSON W. HARNER who was missing from a routine patrol with the 119th Patrol Bombing Squadron, April 11, 1945.
We think of you in the silence,
No one can see us weep,
But many a silent tear we shed
When others are asleep.
In our hearts your memory
Lingers always tender, fond, and true,
There's not a day, dear Wilson,
We do not think of you.
Our grief cannot find comfort
And the wounds cannot be healed,
And the story so deep down in our hearts,
It can't be half revealed.
And when the evening shadows are falling, and we are sitting all alone,
In our hearts there comes a longing,
If you could only come home.

Sadly missed by Mother, Dad, Brothers and Sisters.
Source: Journal and Courier (Lafayette, Indiana), Monday, 11 April 1949, page 14.
Wilson William Harner
Aviation Ordnanceman Second Class, U.S. Navy
Service # 6270497
United States Naval Reserve
Entered the Service from: Indiana
Missing in Action: 11 April 1945, Formosa Straits off Taiwan
Official Date of Death: 12 April 1946
Disposition: Nonrecoverable
Memorial: Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines
Awards: Air Medal with 2 Gold Stars, Purple Heart, American Theater Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Ribbon with four stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one star and a special Presidential citation for meritorious action following a flight on 24 March 1945.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
He had three brothers and seven sisters.
1930 United States Federal Census: Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, Indiana - Wilson Harner (8 Indiana).

Wilson W. Harner graduated with the class of 1943 from Jefferson High School. He was a member of Grace United Brethren Church and Order of DeMolay (a character-building and leadership development organization for young men). He was employed at Britt Brothers' market.

Wilson William Harner (20, 24 January 1922, Lafayette, Indiana), a resident of R.R. 3, Lafayette, Indiana, signed up for his World War II Draft Registration Card (Serial No. N-43, Order No. 12301) on 30 June 1942 in Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, Indiana. He was employed by Floyd Britt. Wilson listed his mother, Mrs. Pearl Harner, as the person who would always know his address. He was described as 5' 4" in height, 128 lbs., with a ruddy complexion, brown hair and hazel eyes.

Wilson William Harner enlisted in the U.S. Navy (S/N 6270497) on 11 September 1942 in Lafayette, Indiana. He was sent to the Great Lakes Naval Training Station, Illinois for his apprentice seamen training.

U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls › 04 November 1942 to 10 November 1942
AS Wilson W. Harner (627 04 97) V6 is listed as a passenger on the U.S.S. Mount Vernon AP-22. He was received on 04 November 1942 at RS/SF and was transferred on 10 November at RS/PHTH.

Wilson was assigned to Headquarters Squadron Fleet Air Wing 2 and sent to Honolulu, where he graduated from a gunnery school at Kaneohe Bay, on 16 October 1943. On 20 October 1943 he was assigned to VPB-106, a Patrol Bomber squadron known as the "Wolverators". It was commissioned at NAAS Camp Kearny, California on 01 June 1943.

"They trained for combat in California until their deployment to Hawaii. On 18 August 1943 the squadron deployed to NAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii and flew the PB4Y-1 Liberators. In September and October, VPB-106 conducted bombing and surveillance missions on the Japanese islands of Wake, Canton and Makin from NAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii and Midway islands.

On 28 October, 1943, the squadron deployed to NAB Carney Field, Guadalcanal. The first combat missions from Guadacanal were scheduled on 11 November 1943 and each day thereafter. The squadron operated with Bombing Squadron 104 (VB-104) as the NAVY SEARCH GROUP conducting regular and special search operations in accordance with ComAirSoPac Search Plans 1-43 and 2-43. The search zone, fifteen degree sectors, covered the ocean area North West up the slot to Kavieng, New Ireland then north and east, including Nauru Island. Enemy installations were bombed repeatedly on OCEAN Island, GREEN Island, NEW IRELAND, KIETA, and KAPINGAMARANGI. From arrival until 05 February 1944, VB-106 missions included the previously mentioned flights and also daily reconnaissance against NAURU Island, a heavily defended island to the northeast.

From 05 February 1944 until 24 March 1944, the squadron operated from Munda, New Georgia with VB-104. In addition to the regular patrol/anti shipping flights, the VB-106 crews acted as aerial spotters for Navy Destroyers and Cruisers shelling enemy installations at KAVIENG on February 17-25, RABAUL, DUKE of YORK, HAMELA MISSION area, BUKA and NAMATANAI on New Ireland. Other bombing and strafing missions were conducted against TARO Island, CHOISEUL Bay and MONORTU Mission on Bougainville. This new advanced base, Munda, provided greater range for the planes in their search and attack against Japanese shipping supplying Japanese bases on New Guinea, New Ireland and other strategic sites.

On 25 March 1944 the squadron moved to Nadzab, New Guinea....Eight hundred mile sectors were flown from Finchofen, New Guinea to the west, north and east."

On 11 April 1944, the squadron moved to Momote Airfield, Los Negros Islands, Admiralties to operate eleven planes from this base. Four additional planes were deployed to Wadke Island under the temporary operational control of ComGen5thAF.

From 27 May to 25 July 1944, the squadron stood down, and the aircrews enjoyed a much needed R&R in Southern California.

Brothers in Pacific Area Have Reunion
Sgt. John W. Harner of the Cyclone division, stationed on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, and his brother, Wilson W. Harner, A.O. M. 2-c, U.S. naval air forces, enjoyed a happy reunion in Oahu recently. Sons of Mr. and Mrs. H. D. Harner, 2139 North Thirteenth street, they hadn't met for two and a half years. Wilson, who has been on foreign duty for 19 months is now in California and is expected home soon. John has been overseas for six months. Journal and Courier (Lafayette, Indiana), Saturday, 17 June 1944, page 2.

AOM 2-c Wilson W. Harner was able to go home for a short furlough and visit his family in Indiana.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Local Boy in Famed Far East Squadron
Wilson W. Harner, AOM 2-c USNR, 720 North Fifth street, is a member of the renowned VB 106 squadron of Liberator bombers in the South Pacific. This squadron searched approximately 125,000 miles daily from successive bases at Midway, Canton, Baker, Funafuti, Guadalcanal, Munday, Nadzav, the Admiralty Islands, and Wake. The squadron served as "advanced man" for invasion forces in the American resurgence in the Pacific.

Squadron VB 106 flew 1,262 sorties totaling 16,000 hours and never once cancelled a mission. Nor did it confine its activities to more searching and reporting. It bombed opportune targets when found, sinking 43 Jap ships and damaging 54 which included 33 cargo vessels and three submarines. Fifteen Japanese planes were shot down and 22 more scores as probables; five planes were smashed on the ground and 17 more probably destroyed. In addition, VB 106 flew photographic and escort missions and spotted targets for task forces.

But it was VB 106's searches – 2,000 miles reconnaissance flights – which counted most for the fleet. Working ahead of the task forces, they made available to commanders completed reports on everything in the 1000 mile strip ahead. Source: Journal and Courier (Lafayette, Indiana), Thursday, 27 July 1944, page 22, and Clarion-News (Opelousas, Louisiana), Thursday, 27 July 1944, pages 1&2.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AOM2c Wilson W. Harner was transferred to Patrol Bombing Squadron, One Hundred Nineteen.

The One Hundred Nineteenth was formed at the Naval Auxiliary Air Station, Camp Kearney, California, on 15 August 1944. The squadron trained in gunnery, bombing, instruments, and navigation.

U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls › 17 August 1944 to 30 September 1944
BOMBING SQUADRON ONE HUNDRED NINETEEN:
AOM2C Wilson W. Harner (627 04 97) V6 enlisted on 11 September 1942 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was first received on board on 17 August 1944 at HEDROM 14-2, FAW-14.

In November, the squadron was issued 15 new PB4Y-2 aircraft. They transited to Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii in December in preparation for deployment to the war zones.

U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls › U.S.S. Nassau (CVE-16) › November 1944
Roster of Enlisted Passengers; Embarked by 11th Naval District; Naval Transportation Service, San Diego, California; Destination: Pearl - AOM2c Wilson William Harner (627 04 97).

U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls › 31 December 1944
Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED NINETEEN (VB-119)
AOM2c Wilson W. Harner (627 04 97)

After a short tour at Midway Island for anti-submarine patrols and further training, the squadron began deployment to the SW Pacific on 07 February 1945. Initially, they were directed to Tacloban airfield, Leyte, Philippines but were diverted to Mokerang Airfield, Los Negros Island, to standby; eventually, they were ordered to Clark Field, Luzon, arriving there on 02 March 1945. Patrol Bombing Squadron One Hundred Nineteen was the first squadron to operate the new "Privateer" in the Philippines. There, VPB-119 along with squadron VPB-104 engaged in "Offensive Search" patrols, flying sectored searches of the South China Sea and the coasts of Viet Nam and SE China.

U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls › 31 March 1945 › Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED NINETEEN: AOM2c (CA) Wilson W. Harner (627 04 97); date first received on board 17 August 1944

At Clark Field, Aviation Machinist's Mate, First Class, Wilson William Harner was the First Ordnance Man on a 4-engine PB4Y-2 Privateer, Bu. No. 59414, which carried a crew of 12. The plane was piloted by Lt (jg) Aubry L. Althans. The book by Alan Carey "PB4Y-2 Privateer" describes the incident that led to Harner's first Air Medal as follows: "Lieutenant (jg) Aubry L. Althans overtook a Nakajima B6N2 Tenzan bomber nicknamed Jill flying at 1,000 feet, and after his gunners expended 1,200 rounds of ammunition, the enemy plane spun into the water and exploded." Copies of Harner's 3 air medal award cards are part of this group. The first Air Medal citation states "For meritorious action while participating in aerial flight. On 12 March 1945, Aviation Ordnanceman Wilson W. Harner, while a member of a regular combat flight crew of a Navy Privateer, engaged in an armed search mission over enemy waters, contributed to the destruction of an enemy torpedo plane. His skill, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with highest traditions of the United States Naval Service"

Aircraft Action Report No. 14; Unit Reporting: VPB-119; Based at: Clark Field, P.I.
Take off Date: 06 March 1945; Time (LZT) 0414 I; Lat 15°11'N Long 120°35'E
Mission: Search; Time of Return: 1840 I
Bombs and Torpedoes Carried: 5 x 100 lb. G.P.; Fuse Setting: 4-5 seconds
Miles out: 965; Miles Return: 965; Hours in Air: 14.4
Day: Hazy; Visibility: 5 miles
Target (s) and Location: 3 SD 150 tons each (24°27"N, 124° 10'E) Time Over Target: 1440 I
Clouds Over Target: 800, cumulus 5/10
Damage: 1 SD sunk, 1 SD serious, 1 SD results unknown
Narrative: "Lt(jg) A. L. ALTHANS sighted 3 SD's on course 000, speed 7-8K. He made two bombing runs, dropping three and two 100 lb. bombs. On the second run a direct hit was registered on one SD and it sank. A near miss was scored on the second SD but no damage was apparent. Several strafing runs were then made on the remaining two SD's. Many hits were made and one SD was set on fire – when last seen it was burning badly and probably sank. Damage to the third SD is unknown. Source: United States Pacific Fleet - PATROL BOMBING SQUADRON ONE HUNDRED NINETEEN Action Report ACA-1 Report No. 14, Lt(jg) A. L. ALTHANS - Crew 17, page 14.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Aircraft Action Report No. 20; Unit Reporting: VPB-119; Based at: Clark Field, P.I.
Take off Date: 12 March 1945; Time (LZT) 0500 I; Lat 15°11'N Long 120°35'E
Mission: Search
Bombs and Torpedoes Carried: 5 x 100 lb. G.P.; 3 x 250 100 lb. G.P., Fuse Setting: 4-5 seconds
Miles out: 915; Miles Return: 915; Hours in Air: 12.5
Day: Hazy; Visibility: 10 miles
Enemy Aircraft Engaged: JILL (28°22'N, 121° 50'E – 1115 I
Camouflage and markings: Green, Red discs; Destroyed
Narrative: "Lt(jg) A. L. ALTHANS sighted a JILL from a distance. The JILL was low on the water, altitude approximately 1000 ft. Lt(jg) ALTHANS was at an altitude of 2000 ft. and closed by indicating 230K. The JILL dove to 500 ft, turning alternately to right and left. The PB4Y-2 was not able to turn inside of the JILL, but all guns were brought to bear at one time or another. Twelve hundred rounds of .50 caliber ammunition was poured into the JILL. The JILL fired about 50 rounds of 7.7 but was inaccurate. The JILL spun into the water and exploded, as evidenced by the attached photograph. Source: United States Pacific Fleet - PATROL BOMBING SQUADRON ONE HUNDRED NINETEEN Action Report ACA-1 Report No. 20, Lt(jg) A. L. ALTHANS - Crew 17, page 2

"Lieutenant (jg) Aubry L. Althans overtook a Nakajima B6N2 Tenzan bomber nicknamed Jill flying at 1,000 feet at 24-21N, 121-50E. He closed by indicating 230 knots and followed the Jill down to 500 ft. 1,200 rounds of fifty calibre was expended. The Jill, spun into the water and exploded." Source: War Diary - PATROL BOMBING SQUADRON ONE HUNDRED NINETEEN 01 March 1945-31 March 1945, page 5.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
21 March - "Lt (jg) A. L. ALTHANS, USNR, strafed a Lugger at 28-19N, 129-15E, leaving it dead in the water, trailing oil and all personnel apparently killed." Source: War Diary - PATROL BOMBING SQUADRON ONE HUNDRED NINETEEN 01 March 1945-31 March 1945, page 7.

Aircraft Action Report No. 37; Unit Reporting: VPB-119; Based at: Clark Field, P.I.
Take off Date: 21 March 1945; Time (LZT) 0506 I; Lat 15°11'N Long 120°35'E
Mission: Search; Time of Return: 1808 I
Bombs and Torpedoes Carried: 5 x 100 lb. G.P.; Fuse Setting: 4-5 seconds
Miles out: 970; Miles Return: 970; Hours in Air: 13.0
Day: Clear; Visibility: 10 miles
Target and Location: 1 Lugger (75 tons), 28°19'N, 129° 15'E – 1150 I; Damage: Serious
Narrative: "Lt(jg) A. L. ALTHANS sighted a Lugger underway, course 190°, speed 10K. He immediately made a bombing and strafing run at masthead level, releasing 2 x 100 lb. G.P. bombs. The bombs missed (bomb release system failed to function properly, releasing bombs late), but the Lugger was sprayed with fifty caliber fire (1100 rounds) – additional strafing runs were made. When last seen the Lugger was dead in the water, trailing oil badly, and all personnel were apparently killed." Source: United States Pacific Fleet - PATROL BOMBING SQUADRON ONE HUNDRED NINETEEN Action Report ACA-1 Report No. 37, Lt(jg) A. L. ALTHANS - Crew 17, page 60
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Harner's second Air Medal citation reads as above, except was for action on 24 March 1945 when an "enemy reconnaissance plane" was destroyed.

Aircraft Action Report No. 41; Unit Reporting: VPB-119; Based at: Clark Field, P.I.
Take off Date: 24 March 1945; Time (LZT) 0545I; Lat 15°11'N Long 120°35'E
Mission: Search; Time of Return 1906 I
Bombs and Torpedoes Carried: 5 x 100 lb. G.P.; Fuse Setting: 4-5 seconds
Miles out: 910; Miles Return: 910; Hours in Air: 14.4
Day: Clear; Visibility: 8 miles
Location of Encounter: No. of Tamsui 25°10'N, 121° 21'E
Narrative: "Lt(jg) A. L. ALTHANS sighted the JAKE 25 miles north of TAMSUI Harbor, Formosa, flying North at an altitude of 2000 ft. Lt(jg) A. L. ALTHANS altitude was 3000 ft. When he started after the enemy plane the latter headed for the North coast of Formosa in the direction of TAMSUI harbor. His evasive tactics consisted of diving S turns and his rear seat gunner fired ineffective twin mount 7.7 MM bursts. After Lt(jg) A. L. ALTHANS first run over the top of the plane, with four turrets firing, the JAKE began to burn badly and within 30 seconds crashed into the water about 5 miles off shore. After the JAKE sank there was a large explosion indicating the possibility of depth charges." Source: United States Pacific Fleet - PATROL BOMBING SQUADRON ONE HUNDRED NINETEEN Action Report ACA-1 Report No. 41, Lt(jg) A. L. ALTHANS - Crew 17, page 25.

"Lt (jg) A. L. ALTHANS, USNR, accounted for his second plane when he shot down a Jake near Tamsui Harbor. The Jake was about 25 miles off shore at an altitude of 2000 ft. 21 Lt (jg) A. L. ALTHANS made one run over the Jake as it was making S turns. The Jake began to burn badly and within 30 seconds crashed into the sea about 5 miles off shore." Source: War Diary - PATROL BOMBING SQUADRON ONE HUNDRED NINETEEN 01 March 1945-31 March 1945, page 8.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
27 March - "Lt (jg) A. L. ALTHANS, USNR, sighted a Sugar Dog at 20-13N, 111-08E. Dropping three 100 lb. G.P. bombs he obtained one direct hit which sank the enemy ship. He then damaged a large barge at 22-05N, 113-26E, strafing it with 300 rounds. Later a Fox Tare Dog was attacked at 22-05N, 113-50E. Two 250 lb. G.P. bombs were dropped on the first run and two 100 lb. G.P. bombs on the second. One 250 lb. bomb hit the deck of the Fox Tare Dog damaging it seriously so that it was forced to beach." Source: War Diary - PATROL BOMBING SQUADRON ONE HUNDRED NINETEEN 01 March 1945-31 March 1945, page 9.

Aircraft Action Report No. 43; Unit Reporting: VPB-119; Based at: Clark Field, P.I.
Take off Date: 27 March 1945; Time (LZT) 0700 I; Lat 15°11'N Long 120°35'E
Mission: Search; Time of Return 1937 I
Bombs and Torpedoes Carried: 3 x 250 100 lb. G.P., 5 x 100 lb. G.P.; Fuse Setting: 4-5 seconds
Miles out: 850; Miles Return: 850; Hours in Air: 12.7
Day: Hazy; Visibility: 5 miles; Clouds Over Target: 2000 Ft. Cumulus
Target (s) and Location:
1 SD 200 tons (20°13"N, 111° 08'E – 1120 I - sunk
1 Barge 10 tons (22°01"N, 113° 26'E – 1315 I - Slight
1 FTD 600 tons (22°05"N, 113° 50'E – 1410 I - Serious
Narrative: "While on routine search mission to the Coast of China, Lt(jg) A. L. ALTHANS sighted a SD underway. A masthead bombing and strafing run was made on which 3 x 100 lb. G.P. bombs were dropped – one hit was scored. The SD started listing to port and burning badly – on his return trip Lt(jg) ALTHANS passed the scene of action & found the SD on the bottom with debris spread over the surface.

Lt(jg) ALTHANS next sighted a large barge loaded with 2 large trucks at anchor in a small cove. A strafing run passed the entrance to the cove, started a small fire on deck, but amount of damage is uncertain.

At 1410 I, Lt(jg) ALTHANS sighted a FTD underway at 22° 05'N, 113° 50'E, traveling at a speed of 14 knots. Bombing and strafing runs were made at masthead level, two 250 lb. G.P. bombs being dropped on the first run and two 100 lb. G.P. bombs on the second. 2510 rounds of fifty caliber were expended. The vessel nosed into a small rocky Island after one bomb hit, listing to starboard, ad then beached, seriously damaged." Source: United States Pacific Fleet - PATROL BOMBING SQUADRON ONE HUNDRED NINETEEN Action Report ACA-1 Report No. 43, Lt(jg) A. L. ALTHANS - Crew 17, page 12
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
5 April - "Lt (jg) A. L. ALTHANS, USNR, first attacked a Tug towing two thirty foot Barges at 24-21N, 124-00E. A direct it with a 100 lb. bomb set the Tug on fire and destroyed it. The Barges were damaged by strafing. Lt (jg) A. L. ALTHANS next attacked a Lugger anchored near a pier at Hateruma Shima. A direct 100 lb. bomb hit and blew it up. Source: War Diary - PATROL BOMBING SQUADRON ONE HUNDRED NINETEEN 01 April 1945-30 April 1945, page 3.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Harner's third Air Medal award states "For Meritorious actions while participating in aerial flight. During the period from 4 March 1945 to 5 April 1945 Aviation Ordnanceman Second Class Harner, Wilson W. participated in five (5) flights in an active combat area where enemy anti-aircraft fire was expected to be effective and enemy aircraft patrols usually occur."

"On 11 April Lt. (jg) Aubrey Althans, was presumed lost ot enemy action when he failed to return from a patrol of western Formosa." Source: War History, VB 119, 8/15/44 to 10/1/44 & VPB 119, 10/1/44 to 9/3/45, page 6.

The United States Pacific Fleet War Diary - PATROL BOMBING SQUADRON ONE HUNDRED NINETEEN report for the plane states "On 11 April 1945, Lt. (jg) A. L. Althans, USNR, 251106, flying PB4Y-2 Bu. No. 59414, failed to return from routine search of the Formosa Straits area. No word of his fate has been received. The following officers and men are missing in action:
Commander: ALTHANS, AUBREY L., LT (JG), USNR, 251106
Co-Pilot: MATHEWS, WILLIAM C., LIEUT (JG), (AL), USNR, 301664
Co-Pilot: KIRBY, Donald D., Ensign, (Al), USNR, 378780
Plane Captain: ADAMS, James W., 618 64 51, AMMF1c (T), V-2 USNR
First Radioman: STEIN, George H., 618 08 45, ARM1c (T), SV V-6, USNR
First Ordnance Man: HARNER, Wilson W., 627 04 97, AOM2c, V-6 USNR
Bombardier: JAKUBIAK, Edward A., 861 93 44, AOMB2c (AB), SV V-6, USNR
Bow Turret Gunner: BAGLEY, Charles A., 890 40 50, AOM23c, SV USN
Forward Upper Deck Turret Gunner: LAWRENCE, Bearl A., 850 80 93, ARA3c, SV, V-6, USNR
Aft Upper Deck Turret Gunner: BOGACZ, Casimer J., 300 93 15, AMMF1c (T), USN
Starboard Waist Turret Gunner: CHRISTIANO, Francis J., 805 31 60, AMMF2c (T), SV V-6, USNR
Tail Turret Gunner: ELFREICH, Harold H., 293 19 49, S1c(ARM), V-6, USNR
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls › 30 April 1945 › Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED NINETEEN: AOM2c Wilson W. Harner (627 04 97); USNR › Missing › 11 April 1945 › Failed to return from armed reconnaissance patrol in PB4Y-2 plane. He had completed 12 missions while at Clark Field before he was lost.

Navy Airman Is Reported Missing
Mr. and Mrs. H.D. Harner, 829 North Thirteenth street, received word Tuesday from the government that their son, A. O. M. 2-c Wilson E. (Skippy) Harner, 22, navy air corps, had been missing in action since April 11, in the Pacific theater of war. A turret gunner on a PB 4Y2, one of the new naval aircraft, he had been based in the Philippines and the day before he was reported missing he was with his brother, Sgt. John Harner, U.S. navy, also stationed in the Philippines.

Harner, a 1942 graduate of Jefferson high school, is a member of DeMolay. He entered service Sept. 1, 1943, taking boot training at Great Lakes. He was then sent to Honolulu, where he graduated from a gunnery school at Kaneohe bay, on Oct. 16, 1943 and was assigned to Fleet Airway 2, VPB 106 and served in Guadalcanal, Munda, Wewak, and Admiralty islands. He he returned here last fall for a 30-day leave he was wearing seven stars on his ribbon. At the conclusion of his leave he was again sent to the South Pacific. Source: Journal and Courier (Lafayette, Indiana), Tuesday, 24 April 1945, page 12.

The crew remained MISSING IN ACTION until a year and a day later (12 April 1946) when they were all officially declared dead. Aviation Ordnanceman Second Class Wilson William Harner is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing - United States Army and Army Air Forces at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.

AOM2c Wilson William Harner also has a cenotaph in Rest Haven Memorial Park, Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, Indiana.

See his medals at: (https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/60925-posthumous-navy-aom2c-group/)

IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR DEAR SON AND BROTHER WILSON W. HARNER who was missing from a routine patrol with the 119th Patrol Bombing Squadron, April 11, 1945.
We think of you in the silence,
No one can see us weep,
But many a silent tear we shed
When others are asleep.
In our hearts your memory
Lingers always tender, fond, and true,
There's not a day, dear Wilson,
We do not think of you.
Our grief cannot find comfort
And the wounds cannot be healed,
And the story so deep down in our hearts,
It can't be half revealed.
And when the evening shadows are falling, and we are sitting all alone,
In our hearts there comes a longing,
If you could only come home.

Sadly missed by Mother, Dad, Brothers and Sisters.
Source: Journal and Courier (Lafayette, Indiana), Monday, 11 April 1949, page 14.

Gravesite Details

Entered the service from Indiana.



Sponsored by Ancestry

Advertisement

  • Maintained by: steve s
  • Originally Created by: War Graves
  • Added: Aug 8, 2010
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56760796/wilson_william-harner: accessed ), memorial page for AOM2c Wilson William “Skippy” Harner (24 Jan 1922–11 Apr 1945), Find a Grave Memorial ID 56760796, citing Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines; Maintained by steve s (contributor 47126287).