Wikipedia

Walter L. J. Bayler

Walter Lewis John Bayler(8 April 1905 – 8 December 1984) was abrigadier generalin theUnited States Marine Corpswho was famed duringWorld War IIas the "Last Man Off Wake Island" and the only American to see combat atWake Island,MidwayandGuadalcanal.Anaval aviatorandcommunications engineer,he was at the forefront of the Marine Corps' use ofradarforearly warningandfighter direction.He was one of the driving forces behind the Marine Corps' establishment of an air warning program and served as the first commanding officer of the1st Marine Air Warning Group(1st MAWG).[1]

Walter L. J. Bayler
Born(1905-04-08)April 8, 1905
Lebanon, Pennsylvania,US
DiedDecember 8, 1984(1984-12-08)(aged 79)
Tustin, California,US
Place of Burial
Riverside National Cemetery
AllegianceUnited States
Service/ branchUnited States Marine Corps
Years of service1927–1957
RankBrigadier general
Commands3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
1st Marine Air Warning Group
Battles / wars
AwardsLegion of Merit

After the war, Colonel Bayler served as the Commander of the3rd Marine Aircraft WingandMarine Corps Air Station El Toro,California.He retired in 1957 settling inOrange County, California.He worked forHughes Aircraft Companyfor a time before later teaching high school physics. BGen Bayler died on 8 December 1984.

Early years

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Born 8 April 1905, inLebanon, PennsylvaniaWalter Bayler graduated fromLebanon High Schoolin June 1923 and was selected to attend theUnited States Naval Academy.

Nicaragua and the 1930s

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Upon graduation from the Naval Academy, he was commissioned asecond lieutenantin the United States Marine Corps on 21 June 1927. He subsequently entered theBasic ClassatMarine Barracks Philadelphiaand graduated in January 1928. He sailed forNicaraguathat same month to serve with the 2nd Marine Brigade until his return in February 1929. While in Nicaragua he commanded the 49th Company of Horse Marines for eight months. This was a mounted cavalry unit that could swiftly deploy to problem areas.[2]Upon his return he attended pre-flight training atMarine Corps Base Quantico,Virginia,and entered flight training atNaval Air Station Pensacola,Floridain May 1929. He earned his wings as a naval aviator in January 1930. He served at Quantico from February 1930 until May 1931. At that time he was selected to attendNaval Postgraduate SchoolatAnnapolis, Maryland,and in August 1932 he attended further post-graduate school atHarvard University.He graduated from Harvard in June 1933 with amaster's degreeincommunications engineering.

In July 1933, he became the communications and navigation officer withVS-15Mon board theUSSLexington(CV-2)and served in a similar capacity withAircraft Twowhile stationed atNaval Air Station San Diegofrom June 1937 until August 1939.

World War II

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Pre-war

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From August 1939 until May 1940, then Captain Bayler attendedAmphibious Warfare Schoolat MCB Quantico, VA. After graduation he returned to the west coast to serve as the communications and radio officer forMarine Aircraft Group 21(MAG-21). He sailed with the group in January 1941 when they were transferred toHawaii.

Duties on Wake Island

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On 20 November 1941, Maj Bayler and 48 Marines from MAG-21 departedPearl Harboron board theUSSWright(AV-1)bound for Wake Island. Arriving 29 November, their mission was to establish facilities at the airfield for air-ground radio communications.[3]Within three days of their arrival they had completed their radio station in a tent in a large parking area just off the main runway.[4]During this time he worked very closely with CaptainWinfield S. Cunningham,overall garrison commander, MajorJames P. Devereuxcommanding the island's1st Defense Battaliondetachment and MajorPaul A. Putnam,in command ofVMF-211.[5]During the battle, Bayler provided rudimentary fighter direction without the aid of radar. He relayed observation reports from Marine spotters to Marine fighters overhead in theircombat air patrol.[6]

Bayler had follow on orders to report toMidwayby first available air transport to carry out the same mission there. On the evening of 20 December, aUnited States NavyPBY Catalinalanded in Wake's lagoon. When it departed the next morning, Maj Bayler was on board cementing him as the "Last Man Off Wake Island."[7][8]At the time it was imperative for the Marine Corps to get Maj Bayler off of Wake Island because he was one of the few Marine Corps officers that had experience establishing air-ground communications networks and he was knowledgeable of the stilltop secretradar program within the United States.[9]Two days later on 23 December 1941, Wake Island fell to the Japanese with all members of the garrison either killed, wounded or taken prisoners of war for the remainder of World War II[10]

Midway Island and Hawaii

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After departing Wake Island, Maj Bayler arrived atMidway Atolland quickly joined the growing Marine Aviation Detachment there under the command ofLtCol William J. Wallace.His task was to again establish air-ground radio communications however he also assisted the6th Defense Battalionwith the installation and operation of their newly acquired early warning radars. Bayler departed Midway on 20 April 1942 bound forHawaii.[11]He was promoted tolieutenant colonelin August 1942.

Defense of Guadalcanal

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LtCol Walter Bayler controlling fighters from his communications station on Guadalcanal.

Bayler flew into Guadalcanal himself piloting aGrumman J2F Duckon 29 August 1942.[12]Serving as the communications officer forMarine Aircraft Group 23,his mission once again was to establish air-to-ground communications facilities.[13]On Guadalcanal he also established an early version of aTACANto guide friendly aircraft back toHenderson Field.[14]When theSCR-270long range radar arrived on 20 September 1942, LtCol Bayler took over theradar detachmentand began providingfighter direction.[15]This radar and the early warning that it provided were critical to the success of theCactus Air Forceand the battle for Guadalcanal during the early stages of the campaign.[16]The radar picked up incoming aircraft overNew Georgiagiving Marine fliers enough advanced warning that they did not need to maintain a constantcombat air patrol.This allowed the1st Marine Aircraft Wingto husband its resources at a time when aircraft and parts were difficult to attain.[17]Radar operators passed distance and bearing information to Bayler at his communications facility via telephone and he then relayed this information to Marine fighter pilots overhead in theirF4F Wildcats.[18]From his communications room he could also deconflict fighter aircraft from the anti-aircraft guns of the3rd Defense Battalion.Bayler and his team assisted interdiction efforts against theTokyo Expressby relaying critical real-time information on Japanese shipping to US aircraft. They also coordinated aviation assets during the rescue mission to save personnel inIronbottom Soundafter theUSSLittle(DD-79)andUSSGregory(DD-82)were sunk in September/October 1942.[19]Bayler departed Guadalcanal on 5 November 1942.[20]

Newspaper clipping about Walter Bayler.

Establishment of the Air Warning Program

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Upon his return from Guadalcanal, LtCol Bayler served as the commanding officer of the newly formedMarine Aircraft Group 34atMarine Corps Air Station Cherry Point,North Carolinafrom February to April 1943. During this time he also sat as the senior member of a Radar Policy Board convened by theCommandant of the Marine Corpsbeginning on 11 February 1943.[21]The board was tasked to make recommendations regarding the establishment of an adequate radar warning program, radar fire control and radar fighter direction for Marine Corps units during amphibious operations. Board recommendations included the organization of Air Warning Squadrons, placing organic fighter direction with night fighter squadrons and the creation of an Air Defense Section within the Division of Aviation atHeadquarters Marine Corps.During this time in 1943, Bayler also co-authored a popular book titledLast Man Off Wake Islandwith Cecil Carnes. The book detailed his experiences on Wake, Midway and Guadalcanal early in the war.

On 1 July 1943, Col Bayler took command of the newly formed1st Marine Air Warning Group(1st MAWG) at MCAS Cherry Point, NC. 1st MAWG's mission was to organize, train, and equip Air Warning Squadrons capable of setting up and maintaining expedient air defense systems to furnish early warning and fighter direction against enemy aircraft. He remained the commanding officer until 4 April 1944 at which time he was transferred to Headquarters Marine Corps, Division of Aviation to continue to develop requirements for the ever burgeoning air warning program.[1]

1944-45 in the Pacific

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Col Bayler, holding the pipe in background, witnesses the Japanese surrender on Wake Island, 4 September 1945

Colonel Bayler returned to the Pacific in December 1944 as the chief of staff for the rear echelon of the4th Marine Aircraft Wing.[22]In this assignment he was based atMajuro AtollandKwajalein Atoll.From May 1945 through March 1946 he served as the assistant chief of staff, G-1, forAircraft, Fleet Marine Force Pacific.Following theJapanese surrenderin August 1945, Col Bayler,The Last Man Off Wake Island,became the first American to set foot back on the island when he came ashore on 4 September 1945 as part of the American delegation accepting the surrender of the Japanese Garrison.[23][24]

Post-war billets

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He returned to Washington, D.C., in March 1946 to serve as the director of the Electronics Division,Bureau of Aeronautics,Navy Departmentuntil August 1948. He then attended theNational War Collegeuntil June 1949. His next assignment was as the officer in charge of the Aviation Section,Marine Corps Schoolsat MCB Quantico, VA. During this time he was also a member of board chaired by Major GeneralOliver P. Smithwhich recommended an expansion of the Marine Corps' newly developed helicopter program in order to advance emerging concepts in landing force techniques.

In December 1951, Col Bayler served as commanding general and later assistant wing commander for the3rd Marine Aircraft Wing(3d MAW) at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina. He remained with 3d MAW when the Wing moved toMarine Corps Air Station Miami,Florida in February 1952.[25]In August 1954, Colonel Bayler was assigned as the assistant chief of staff, G-2 and Station Inspector forMarine Corps Air Station El Toro,California.In June 1955 he became the chief of staff of the Air Station until his retirement.

Retirement, death and legacy

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Plaque dedicating theMASS-3headquarters building onMarine Corps Base Camp Pendletonin the name of BGen Walter L.J. Bayler.

Brigadier General Walter Bayler retired from active duty on 30 June 1957. He was advanced to the rank of brigadier general upon retirement because of his demonstrated heroism in combat. For his first five years out of uniform, he worked in production control management for theHughes Aircraft CompanyinFullertonand laterNewport Beach.After his time with Hughes he earned his teaching certificate atChapman Collegeand taughtphysicsatSunny Hills High Schoolin Fullerton for another 10 years. BGen Bayler died on 8 December 1984 inTustin, California,and is buried inRiverside National Cemetery.He was survived by his wife, Virginia Katherine Bayler, daughter Virginia Marie who was married to Marine Corps MajGenHal W. Vincentand three grandchildren.[26]

The headquarters forMarine Air Control Squadron 1(MACS-1) at the 32 Area onMarine Corps Base Camp Pendleton,Californiawas named in honor of BGen Bayler on 9 July 1990.[27]Today, that building is the Headquarters forMarine Air Support Squadron 3(MASS-3).

Medals and decorations

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Here is the ribbon bar of Brigadier General Walter L. J. Bayler:

Legion of Merit citation

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For extra exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service to the Government of the United States, as Group Communications Officer and Assistant Group Operations Officer on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, from August 30 to September 22, 1942. Arriving by air with the rear echelon of a Marine Aircraft Group on August 30, Lieutenant Colonel Bayler, with little equipment and personnel, and often working alone, reestablished the existing communications facilities in order to operate additional aircraft successfully. Through his special ability, given determination and outstanding devotion to duty, he maintained communications in spite of the many failures caused by enemy bombings and shellings.[28]

Citations

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  1. ^ab"1st Marine Air Warning Group Unit History"(PDF).United States Marine Corps. 1 January 1945.Retrieved22 November2019.
  2. ^Bayler & Carnes 1943,pp. 28–29.
  3. ^Bayler & Carnes 1943,pp. 11–14.
  4. ^Bayler & Carnes 1943,pp. 20.
  5. ^Bayler & Carnes 1943,pp. 27.
  6. ^Smith 1969,pp. 11.
  7. ^Sherrod 1952,pp. 42–43.
  8. ^"Colonel Bayler Tell of First Wake Island Attack".Marine Corps Chevron.San Diego, CA. 5 January 1942.Retrieved19 November2019.
  9. ^Murray 1946,pp. 30.
  10. ^Cressman 1992,pp. 30.
  11. ^Bayler & Carnes 1943,pp. 196.
  12. ^Bayler & Carnes 1943,pp. 229–30.
  13. ^Lundstrom 2005,pp. 185.
  14. ^Bayler & Carnes 1943,pp. 241.
  15. ^Brown 1999,pp. 249.
  16. ^Frank 1990,pp. 2007.
  17. ^Lundstrom 2005,pp. 185–186.
  18. ^Bayler & Carnes 1943,pp. 331.
  19. ^Bayler & Carnes 1943,pp. 262.
  20. ^Bayler & Carnes 1943,pp. 358–59.
  21. ^Melson, Maj Charles D. (1996).CONDITION RED: Marine Defense Battalions in World War II.www.nps.gov.Retrieved19 November2019.{{cite book}}:|website=ignored (help)
  22. ^Olszyk, 1stLt Louis (13 January 1945)."Last Man Off Wake Island Returns To South Pacific".Marine Corps Chevron.San Diego, CA.Retrieved19 November2019.{{cite news}}:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  23. ^Smith 1969,pp. 923.
  24. ^"Wake Island Surrender On Board USS Levy DE 162".www.desausa.org/.Destroyer Escort Sailors Association.Retrieved19 November2019.
  25. ^"Marines Get 3rd Air Wing".Naval Aviation News.Washing D.C.: Chief of Naval Operations. April 1952.Retrieved19 November2019.
  26. ^Whiting, David (12 November 2012)."Retired Marine General and test pilot shares 'right stuff' era".www.ocregister.com.MediaNews Group Inc.Retrieved22 November2019.
  27. ^"Chronologies 1990".www.usmcu.edu.Marine Corps University.Retrieved18 November2019.
  28. ^"Walter L.J. Bayler".The Hall of Valor Project.www.militarytimes.com.Retrieved19 November2019.

References

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This article incorporatespublic domain materialfrom websites or documents of theUnited States Marine Corps.

Books

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  • Murray, Bill (1946)."Eyes in the Night"(PDF).Marine Corps Gazette.30(5): 28–31, 44.Retrieved28 June2020.
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