Lt. Howard Reason Burnett, U.S.N.
(And all like him)
Why?
August 24, 1942 - The Battle of the Eastern Solomons: Douglas SBD Dauntless (Scout/Dive Bomber) - on patrol when the Japanese air attack materialized flew out of range of our antiaircraft fire and waited until the action was over before returning to land. However, several of these planes took part in the air fighting. Ens. Howard R. Burnett, observing the direction of the enemy planes' dives, flew his SBD into the path of their retirement, and attacked several with his two fixed guns. At 1715 he shot down an Aichi type 99 dive bomber."
Next came the Battle of Santa Cruz on August 26. Having been informed that there were several carriers in the vicinity, Burnett was sent on a 200 mile search at dawn. Sighting the ships that had been shelling Guadalcanal during the night, two battleships, three heavy cruisers, two light cruisers and seven destroyers, he flew about fifty feet over the water about two miles from the force until it was definitely established as enemy. A report of the enemy was sent in by radio and Burnett and his wing man, who were alone, tracked for about an hour, when they climbed to 14,000 feet, as they had not seen the carriers. While diving on one of the cruisers the wing man was thrown into a spin and forced to return to the carrier. Burnett dropped his bomb and an hour later another pilot reported the stern of the cruiser in flames.
Returning the carrier was found under attack, Burnett's attention being attracted by a Jap plane burning on the water. The sky was covered by black smoke from five inch anti aircraft fire. Seeing a burst of flame on the Hornet, he was soon in the midst of enemy planes, and several dog fights. One plane got on his tail and shot out his hydraulic system, one cylinder in the engine and the cockpit was filled with holes. His gas system had been punctured so that there was eight inches of gas in the cockpit. However, seeing an enemy twin engine torpedo plane fifty feet off the water, made a pass and shot it down. The crew got into its rubber boat and Burnett's rear seat man strafed them, deflating the boat. He had just enough gas to get back on the carrier, and was aboard for two hours of continuous bombing by the enemy.
Go here to see more
http://www.rootsweb.com/~kscomanc/burnett_howard_lt.htmlbut alas:
United States Pacific Fleet
Fighting Squadron Nineteen
15 August 1944
Dear Mrs. Burnett;
While the Navy Department will have told you that Howard's missing in action it will not tell you of the void left in this squadron nor the deep personal loss I feel. I only wish there were some chance of his return but any such hope is too remote to even be considered. His plane ( F6F Hellcat ) was seen to catch on fire in the midst of intense anti aircraft fire 4,000 feet over a Jap base within 600 miles of Tokyo, and it is believe to have crashed.
Redbird as we knew him, was one of the most colorful pilots in the war. He was an outstanding leader that the Navy and our country will sorely miss him. He is well known throughout the fleet for his general aggressive spirit, and in particular for his excellent work during the occupation of the Solomons. A recent citation for this work has just been received and is being forwarded to you.
Please accept my heartfelt sympathy and write me if there is anything further that I can do or say.
Sincerely yours,
T. H. WINTERS, JR.
Commander, U. S. Navy.
Commanding Officer.
Not bad for a Kansas farmboy
