This Fallen Navy Profile is not currently maintained by any Member.
If you would like to take responsibility for researching and maintaining this Fallen profile please click
HERE
Casualty Info
Home Town Mocton, Canada
Last Address 301 11th St SE Washington, DC
Casualty Date Jul 30, 1945
Cause KIA-Body Not Recovered
Reason Air Loss, Crash - Land
Location China
Conflict World War II
Location of Interment Manila American Cemetery and Memorial - Manila, Philippines
Wall/Plot Coordinates (cenotaph)
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
AMM2 Babineau was assigned to Crew number 7 of Patrol Bombing Squadron 106 (VPB 106) flying in a Consolidated PB4Y-2 piloted by Lt. Joseph William Swiencicki tempraily based in Mindoro. On July 30, 1945, they were flying a mission over French Indochina. The plane never returned to base. The crew was listed as missing in action and later declared dead.
Comments/Citation:
Service number: 6038286
Distinguished Flying Cross
Awarded for Actions During World War II
Service: Navy
Rank: Aviation Machinist's Mate Second Class
Citation: The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Aviation Machinist's Mate Second Class Leo J. E. Babineau (NSN: 6038286), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight over China during the period 18 February 1945 to 24 May 1945. Aviation Machinist's Mate Second Class Babineau completed twenty flights in a combat area where enemy anti-aircraft fire was expected to be effective or where enemy aircraft patrols usually occurred. His conduct throughout has distinguished him among those performing duties of the same character.
The information contained in this profile was compiled from various internet sources.
World War II/Asiatic-Pacific Theater/New Guinea Campaign (1943-44)
From Month/Year
January / 1943
To Month/Year
December / 1944
Description The last obstacle in liberating all of New Guinea island was the Vogelkop Peninsula in Dutch New Guinea. The Japanese resistance on the peninsula gathered at Manokwari, and MacArthur did not wish to contest with this force. Instead, his "hit 'em where they ain't" strategy took the Allied forces to a number of undefended beaches near Cape Opmaria and Sansapor. Like Rabaul, the 25,000 men at Manokwari were now stranded, frustratingly idling uselessly.
In Sep 1944, Allied troops occupied the Halmahera Islands, concluding the New Guinea Campaign. MacArthur was now only several hundred miles from the Philippines. In his memoir, MacArthur attributed to the Allied victory over New Guinea to mobility and the ability to achieve surprise at key confrontations. Additionally, he also insisted that his refusal to deploy military governors over conquered regions helped his command focus on the task at hand. Instead, he brought in Dutch and Australian civil administrators immediately after the area had been deemed secure. "The success of this method was reflected in the complete lack of friction between the various governments concerned", he noted.
Although Allied attention would move toward the Philippine Islands by this time, small pockets of Japanese resistance would continue to fight until late May 1945.
