William Houck Buracker (July 25, 1897 – March 7, 1977) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy who served as commanding officer of the USS Princeton during the Battle of Leyte Gulf, was a member of the task force that carried out the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign, and was the operations officer for the carrier task force that transported planes for the Doolittle Raid.

[1][2] He was awarded the Silver Star "for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving on the Staff of the Task Force Commander" during the raids.

As commander of the Princeton, Buracker launched raids on Hollandia, Formosa, the Philippines, and the Marshall, Ryukyu, and Palau 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 the Princeton and ignited a series of fires.

[1][3] Buracker was awarded the Purple Heart, Legion of Merit with the Combat "V", and the Navy Cross for his actions during the sinking of the Princeton.

[2] Buracker was portrayed by Hayden Rorke in The Eternal Sea, a 1955 film about the life of John Hoskins, Robert Shayne in Tora!