William H. Buracker | |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts Commissioner of Public Works | |
| In office 1947–1949 | |
| Preceded by | Joseph Cairnes |
| Succeeded by | William F. Callahan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1897-07-25)July 25, 1897 |
| Died | March 7, 1977(1977-03-07) (aged 79) |
| Alma mater | United States Naval Academy Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| Occupation | U.S. Navy officer Engineer |
| Awards | Purple Heart Silver Star Legion of Merit with theCombat "V" Navy Cross |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Branch/service |  United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1920–1947 |
| Rank |  Rear admiral |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Midway Battle of Leyte Gulf |
William Houck Buracker (July 25, 1897 – March 7, 1977) was a Rear Admiral in theUnited States Navy who served as commanding officer of theUSSPrinceton during theBattle of Leyte Gulf, was a member of the task force that carried out theGilbert and Marshall Islands campaign, and was the operations officer for the carrier task force that transported planes for theDoolittle Raid. After leaving the Navy, Buracker worked as an engineer and was Massachusetts Commissioner of Public Works from 1947 to 1949.
Buracker was born inLuray, Virginia, on July 25, 1897.[1] He graduated from theUnited States Naval Academy in 1920. He became a Navy pilot and was a member of the squadron which made the first non-stop flight from California to Central America. From 1928 to 1930 he studied aeronautic engineering at theMassachusetts Institute of Technology.[2] While there he met Dorothy Martin ofWinchester, Massachusetts. The two later married.[3]
At the outbreak ofWorld War II, Buracker was attached to the staff of Adm.William F. Halsey.[2] Buracker was the operations officer of the carrier task force that transported planes for theDoolittle Raid.[3][4] He was operations officer in the carrier raids on theGilbert Islands,Marshall Islands,Wake Island andMarcus Island.[1][2] He was awarded theSilver Star "for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving on the Staff of the Task Force Commander" during the raids.[1]
After theBattle of Midway, Buracker returned to the United States. From August 1942 to May 1943 he was commander of theNaval Air Station Pensacola inPensacola, Florida. In this role, Buracker oversaw the expansion of the base, which included the construction and expansion of air fields.United States Secretary of the NavyJames Forrestal publicly commended Buracker for his work in Pensacola.[2]
In 1943, Buracker became the fleet aviation officer on the staff of Adm.Chester Nimitz. In early 1944 he was given command of the USSPrinceton. As commander of thePrinceton, Buracker launched raids onHollandia,Formosa, the Philippines, and the Marshall,Ryukyu, andPalau Islands.[2] He was credited with "contribut[ing] directly toward destroying a large part of the enemy's navy and air force" during the months of September and October 1944.[1]
During the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October 1944, a 500-pound Japanese bomb went through the deck of thePrinceton and ignited a series of fires.[3] Buracker attempted to save the ship, however he gave the order to abandon ship after it was determined that the best tactical course of action would be to intentionally fire on and sink the ship.[1][3] Buracker was awarded thePurple Heart,Legion of Merit with theCombat "V", and theNavy Cross for his actions during the sinking of thePrinceton.[1][2] At the time of the battle, Buracker was scheduled for relief as commander of the ship and his replacement,John Hoskins was already aboard thePrinceton when the battle commenced.[3]
In December 1945, Buracker was assigned to MIT, where he served as a professor of naval science and commanding officer of the naval training school there.[2]
On May 1, 1947, Buracker retired from the navy to become the Massachusetts Commissioner of Public Works.[4] During his tenure as Public Works Commissioner, Buracker oversaw the expansion of Boston'sLogan Airport. He pushed for the construction of a central terminal building, four runways, and twoaprons.[5][6] On January 5, 1949, Buracker resigned so that incoming GovernorPaul A. Dever could appoint his own commissioner.[7]
After leaving state service, Buracker worked for the engineering firm of Jackson and Moreland until his retirement.[2]
Buracker died on March 7, 1977, in Winchester.[2]
Buracker was portrayed byHayden Rorke inThe Eternal Sea, a 1955 film about the life of John Hoskins,Robert Shayne inTora! Tora! Tora!, andJack Ging inWar and Remembrance (miniseries).