Date of birth:

October 18th, 1920

Date of death:

February 4th, 2012 (Santa Ana/California, United States)

Nationality:

American

Walter Bartosh completed the approved course of training for student Naval Aviators and was appointed a Naval Aviator on January 30th, 1942. He was commissioned into the Marine Corps Reserve as a 2nd Lieutenant on February 9th, 1942. During World War Two he saw action in the capture and defense of Guadalcanal (September 23rd, 1942 - October 10th, 1942), Cape Esperance (October 11th, 1942 - October 12th, 1942), Guadalcanal (November 12th, 1942 - November 14th, 1942), assault and occupation of Okinawa (May 2nd, 1945 - June 30th, 1945). He received his full commission with the US Marine Corps on May 4th, 1945.

He saw further combat action in Korea: Korean Defense, Summer-Fall 1952 (September 5th, 1952 - November 30th, 1952), Third Korean Winter (December 1st, 1952 - April 30th, 1953) and Korea Summer-Fall 1953 (May 1st, 1953 - July 27th, 1953). For his services in the Korean War Walter Bartosh received a third DFC, four additional Air Medals (9th to 12th), a "Bronze Star Medal" (with "V" for Valor), the "United Nations Service Medal", the "National Defence Service Medal" and the "Korean Service Medal".

Promotions:
February 9th, 1942: 2nd Lieutenant;
November 30th, 1942: 1st Lieutenant;
May 30th, 1943: Captain;
July 30th, 1944: Major;
October 22nd, 1952: Lieutenant Colonel;

Career:
September 12th, 1942 - November 17th, 1942: Commanding Officer Marine Scout-Bomber Squadron 141, Guadalcanal;
May 20th, 1949 - May 5th, 1950: Commanding Officer VMA-225;
September 24th, 1952 - September 30th, 1952: Commanding Officer Marine Attack Squadron 311;
October 12th, 1952: Executive Officer Marine Attack Squadron 311.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

Marine Fleet Air, West Coast

Awarded on:

December 28th, 1944

Commendation:
"For meritorious devotion to duty under adverse circumstances while conducting an aerial night search in the Solomon Islands on October 19, 1942. Lieutenant Bartosh volunteered to make the importand night search under very unfaverable weather conditions in order to verify reports of enemy surface activity. His successful completion of the mission determined the fact that no enemy ships were present in the area and furnished needed and valuable information. During the flight he located and bombed an enemy anti-aircraft position. His courageous conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service."

Received as Commendation Ribbon. The commendation itself was already given in the time he still held the rank of Second Lieutenant.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Awarded on:

July 8th, 1948

Purple Heart awarded for wound on 15 Oct 1942 – The medical history report states: “On or about 15 October 1942, the above named officer received shrapnel wounds of his left hand. The wounds were cleaned, and several small fragments were removed. The notation was not made in his record; because he was treated by a medical officer of another Marine Squadron, and the records were not available in the forward area. The wounds were received while participating in an aerial mission over enemy territory and as a result of enemy action.” Signed by Rodney K. Peterson, Lt. Cmdr. (MC) USN

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Citation:
"For meritorious achievement in aerial flight ad Pilot of a Plane in various Marine Aviation Squadrons in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Caroline and Ryukyu Islands Areas, from 8 March to 9 August 1945. Completing his fifth mission during this period, Major Bartosh contributed materially to the success of his squadron and the infliction of extensive damage on the enemy. His devotion to duty in the face of hostile antiaircraft fire was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Awarding details unclear, probably received or should have received after completing five missions over combat area. According his service records and documents his first Air Medal was awarded around 1945. Looking at his record this should have been his ninth Air Medal. His ninth Air Medal however was awarded for action in Korea.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Second Lieutenant

Unit:

Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 141

Citation:
"For meritorious achievement as Pilot of a Scout Bomber Plane in Marine Scout Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED FORTY ONE during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area, from 30 September to 2 October 1942. Completing his tenth mission during this period, Second Lieutenant Bartosh contributed materially to the success of his squadron in the infliction of intensive damage on the enemy. His courage and devotion to duty in the face of hostile antiaircraft fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Second Air Medal received in the form of a Gold Star to be wonr on the ribbon of the first Air Medal.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Second Lieutenant

Unit:

Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 141

Citation:
"For meritorious achievement as Pilot of a Scout Bomber Plane in Marine Scout Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED FORTY ONE during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area, from 3 to 10 October 1942. Completing his fiteenth mission during this period, Second Lieutenant Bartosh contributed materially to the success of his squadron in the infliction of intensive damage on the enemy. His courage and devotion to duty in the face of hostile antiaircraft fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Third Air Medal received in the form of a second Gold Star to be wonr on the ribbon of the first AIr Medal.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Second Lieutenant

Unit:

Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 141

Citation:
"For heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as Pilot of a Scout Bomber Plane in Marine Scout Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED FORTY ONE during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area, from 12 to 17 October 1942. Completing his twentieth mission during this period, Second Lieutenant Bartosh contributed materially to the success of his squadron in the infliction of extensive damage on the enemy. His courage and devotion to duty in the face of hostile antiaircraft fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Second Lieutenant

Unit:

Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 141

Citation:
"For meritorious achievement as Pilot of a Scout Bomber Plane in Marine Scout Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED FORTY ONE during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area, from 18 to 20 October 1942. Completing his twenty-fifth mission during this period, Second Lieutenant Bartosh contributed materially to the success of his squadron in the infliction of intensive damage on the enemy. His courage and devotion to duty in the face of hostile antiaircraft fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Fourth Air Medal received in the form of a third Gold Star to be worn on the ribbon of the First Air Medal.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Second Lieutenant

Unit:

Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 141

Citation:
"For meritorious achievement as Pilot of a Scout Bomber Plane in Marine Scout Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED FORTY ONE during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area, from 20 to 24 October 1942. Completing his thirtieth mission during this period, Second Lieutenant Bartosh contributed materially to the success of his squadron in the infliction of intensive damage on the enemy. His courage and devotion to duty in the face of grave hazards were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Fifth Air Medal received in the form of a fourth Golden Star to be worn on the ribbon of the first Air Medal.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Second Lieutenant

Unit:

Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 141

Citation:
"For meritorious achievement as Pilot of a Scout Bomber Plane in Marine Scout Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED FORTY ONE during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area, from 25 to 28 October 1942. Completing his thirty-fifth mission during this period, Second Lieutenant Bartosh contributed materially to the success of his squadron in the infliction of intensive damage on the enemy. His courage and devotion to duty in the face of hostile antiaircraft fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Sixth Air Medal received in the form of a fifth Gold Star to eb wonr as a Silver Star on the ribbon of the first Air Medal, to replace the received Gold Stars and to denote the receiving of five additional Air Medals.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Second Lieutenant

Unit:

Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 141

Citation:
"For heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as Pilot of a Scout Bomber Plane in Marine Scout Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED FORTY ONE during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area, from 29 October to 1 November 1942. Completing his fortieth mission during this period, Second Lieutenant Bartosh contributed materially to the success of his squadron in the infliction of extensive damage on the enemy. His courage and devotion to duty in the face of hostile fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Second DFC received in the form of a Golden Star to be worn on the ribbon of the first DFC.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Second Lieutenant

Unit:

Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 141

Citation:
"For meritorious achievement as Pilot of a Scout Bomber Plane in Marine Scout Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED FORTY ONE during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area, from 1 to 6 November 1942. Completing his fourty-fifth mission during this period, Second Lieutenant Bartosh contributed materially to the success of his squadron in the infliction of intensive damage on the enemy. His courage and devotion to duty in the face of hostile antiaircraft fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Seventh Air Medal received in the form of a Golden Star to be worn on the ribbon of the first Air Medal.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Second Lieutenant

Unit:

Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 141

"For meritorious achievement as Pilot of a Scout Bomber Plane in Marine Scout Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED FORTY ONE during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area, from 6 to 11 November 1942. Completing his fiftieth mission during this period, Second Lieutenant Bartosh contributed materially to the success of his squadron in the infliction of intensive damage on the enemy. His courage and devotion to duty in the face of hostile antiaircraft fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Eight Air Medal received in the form of a seventh GOld Star to be wornon the ribbon of the first Air Medal.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Received with four bronze campaign stars.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

• Photo 1: US Marine Corps photo
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