Feb 5, 1910 - Oct 24, 1944

Bruce Lawrence Harwood was born 10 February 1910 at Claremont, Calif., and enlisted in the Navy 6 June 1935. After training as an aviation cadet at Pensacola, he was commissioned Ensign 7 July 1939 and began flying duty with a torpedo plane squadron. Harwood received the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism 24 August 1942 during the Solomons campaign. Leading his squadron in an unsupported aerial torpedo raid against a Japanese task force, Lieutenant Harwood pressed home the attack through a bursting hail of fire from hostile AA batteries. Under his leadership, the squadron scored one certain and two estimated hits on an enemy aircraft carrier. Harwood was awarded the Gold Star in lieu of a second Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism as squadron commander 20 September-5 October 1942. Leading an attack group of bombers through adverse flying conditions, Lieutenant Harwood located a force of enemy destroyers landing troops and supplies on Guadalcanal. Despite violent maneuvering by the enemy, he and his men scored at least one and probably more hits. On 4 October Harwood led another attack group of torpedo planes against an enemy light cruiser and three DD's. In spite of bad visibility and heavy AA fire, he pressed home the attack, scoring two positive and one possible hit on the cruiser. The following night he and his bombers again sought the enemy and, flying on instruments through a violent tropical storm to Rekata Bay, bombed shore installations there despite fierce opposition from Japanese fighter planes which swarmed to the attack. Appointed Commander 1 July 1944, Harwood was killed 24 October 1944 when Princeton received bomb hits which triggered a series of fatal explosions. While serving as air officer in Princeton, Commander Harwood had received another Gold Star in lieu of a third Navy Cross.

Oak Park Cemetery - Claremont, CA

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/154616644/bruce-lawrence-harwood

Manila American Cemetery - Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=56755792