HOWARD A. MCBRIDE, LTJG, USNR
Howard McBride '44
Lucky Bag
Howard Aubrey McBride is listed on a page titled "Gone… But Ne'er Forgotten":
There were close to a thousand of us when we entered in June of 1940 and formed the new fourth class, the class of 1944. Now, as we graduate one year ahead of time, there are less than 800. But we who go to join the active services are sure in our minds that our friends of fourth class summer who have left us at various stages of the course will find their place in the American Victory Machine, rolling relentlessly on to a triumph over the forces of evil that threaten the life and liberty we all hold so dear.
The Annual Register of the United States Naval Academy 1941-1942 lists him as "Deficient in studies, first term's work. Continued with class pending reexamination. Reexamined and again deficient. Recommended to be dropped. Permitted to resign." on March 7, 1941.
Photographs
From the cruise book "Slipstream (Mark III)" 1943.
Loss
Howard was lost on April 20, 1945 when the SB2C-4 Helldiver collided with another near Yoroshima Island (near Okinawa) and crashed at sea. He was flying with Bombing Squadron (VB) 82 from USS Bennington (CV 20); the crewman aboard was also lost.
Howard had crossed below a squadron-mate's aircraft; the visibility was poor, and the other plane's propeller cut into the rudder of Howard's plane.
Other Information
From researcher Kathy Franz:
Howard was born in the District of Columbia. In 1930, his family lived in Norfolk. In 1935, Howard lived in the District of Columbia, but his mother and brother Earl lived in San Diego. In 1940, the three lived in San Diego.
He was a pilot with Bombing Squadron (VB) 80, flying from USS Ticonderoga (CV 14), as of mid-November 1944; he survived a crash of his SB2C-3 near Manila.
His father, Clarence, was an enlisted Navy sailor in WWI and was aboard USS Jacob Jones (Destroyer No. 61) when that ship was sunk in December 1917. Clarence continued service until 1939, when he retired. At the outbreak of WWII he was recalled to active duty and became commanding officer of USS Constitution.
Howard is listed on the killed in action panel in the front of Memorial Hall. USS Bennington's daily summary included that they were considered "killed in action," and also that he was a member of the Naval Reserve (SN 337446). His home was listed as Syracuse, New York.
His mother, Florence, was listed as next of kin; he was also survived by his father and probably his brother, Earl. Howard is listed at the Courts of the Missing in Hawaii.
Memorial Hall Error
Howard is listed in Memorial Hall as a member of the regular navy; he was not. Should be USNR.
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