Background
Bass was born in Roanoke, Virginia on 22 September 1915, and enlisted in the United States. Navy on 24 February 1941.
Bass was born in Roanoke, Virginia on 22 September 1915, and enlisted in the United States. Navy on 24 February 1941.
In May 1941 he was designated Aviation Cadet, and after aviation training was appointed ensign on 5 December 1941. Ensign Bass underwent further flight training and reported to aircraft carrier United States Ship Saratoga (CV-3) in early 1942. Assigned to aircraft carrier United States Ship Yorktown (CV-5) during the pivotal Battle of Midway, he flew as part of the combat air patrol on 4 June 1942, and, although his plane was damaged, shot down an attacking Japanese dive bomber and a fighter.
Assigned to Fighting Squadron 5 on board Saratoga, Bass again flew in the combat air patrol during the Battle of the Eastern Solomons of 23–25 August 1942.
As he and his fellow pilots protected Saratoga, Ensign Bass was shot down and reported missing in action. He was presumed dead on 24 August 1942.
The high-speed transport United States Ship Horace A. Bass (APD-124), later LPR-124, in service from 1944 until 1969, was named for him. His widow served as sponsor at the ship"s launch on 12 September 1944.
