She was named for Lieutenant Colonel Harold William Bauer, naval aviator and recipient of the Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous courage as Commander of Marine Fighting Squadron 212 in the South Pacific between 10 May and 14 November 1942.
The ship is named after Lieutenant Colonel Harold William Bauer, a naval aviator who was recognized with the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions as Commander of Marine Fighting Squadron 212 during combat in the South Pacific from May 10 to November 14, 1942.