1942, Bauer and VMF-212 were deployed to the South Pacific and were stationed at New Caledonia, and later Efate, Vanuatu. Although still the commanding officer of VMF-212, Bauer was also responsible for the operation of the airfield the squadron operated from and was utilized to select possible sites for additional airfields in the South Pacific. Bauer's promotion to lieutenant colonel, after only three months as a major, was effective 7 August. On 28 September 1942, Bauer performed the first feat cited for the Medal of Honor. His squadron was attacked by a superior force of Japanese planes. He engaged the enemy and shot down one of their bombers. Again attacking a superior force on 3 October 1942, he shot down four of the enemy and left a fifth badly damaged. While leading a reinforcement flight on 16 October 1942, from Espirito Santo, Vanuatu to Guadalcanal, away, Bauer was about to land at Henderson Field when he noticed a squadron of Japanese planes attacking the USS McFarland (AVD-14) offshore. Though the long flight from Espirito Santo had almost exhausted his fuel and he knew no friendly planes were able to assist him, he immediately proceeded alone to attack the enemy and succeeded in destroying four of them before lack of gasoline forced him to return to Henderson Field. On 14 November 1942, he was shot down over water after downing two enemy aircraft in an attack off Guadalcanal. He was seen in the water in his Mae West water flotation device as light was fading. He did not appear to be seriously hurt. The following morning began days of intense searching by planes and Russell Island natives, but no further trace of him was found. The squadron under his command at Guadalcanal was officially credited with downing 92 Japanese planes and helping to sink two destroyers. Lieutenant Colonel Bauer was commended for his action in the South Pacific by commanders of Army, Navy and Marine Corps units including Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr., then Commander of the South Pacific Area and South Pacific Force. Bauerfield International Airport in Port Vila, Vanuatu is named in his honor. Medals and decorations Bauer's medals and decorations include: Medal of Honor citation The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to for service as set forth in the following CITATION: For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous courage as Squadron Commander