Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: SkyRock on November 13, 2009, 09:39:36 AM

Title: something for the bomber dudes....
Post by: SkyRock on November 13, 2009, 09:39:36 AM
Medal of Honor recipient....



ZEAMER, JAY JR. (Air Mission)

Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Army Air Corps. Place and date: Over Buka area, Solomon Islands, 16 June 1943. Entered service at: Machias, Maine. Birth: Carlisle, Pa. G.O. No.: 1, 4 January 1944. Citation: On 16 June 1943, Maj. Zeamer (then Capt.) volunteered as pilot of a bomber on an important photographic mapping mission covering the formidably defended area in the vicinity of Buka, Solomon Islands. While photographing the Buka airdrome. his crew observed about 20 enemy fighters on the field, many of them taking off. Despite the certainty of a dangerous attack by this strong force, Maj. Zeamer proceeded with his mapping run, even after the enemy attack began. In the ensuing engagement, Maj. Zeamer sustained gunshot wounds in both arms and legs, 1 leg being broken. Despite his injuries, he maneuvered the damaged plane so skillfully that his gunners were able to fight off the enemy during a running fight which lasted 40 minutes. The crew destroyed at least 5 hostile planes, of which Maj. Zeamer himself shot down 1. Although weak from loss of blood, he refused medical aid until the enemy had broken combat. He then turned over the controls, but continued to exercise command despite lapses into unconsciousness, and directed the flight to a base 580 miles away. In this voluntary action, Maj. Zeamer, with superb skill, resolution, and courage, accomplished a mission of great value.
 
they got 5 out of the 20 attacking them... wow!
Title: Re: something for the bomber dudes....
Post by: fudgums on November 13, 2009, 09:42:49 AM
Theres a dogfight episode of this, quite amazing.
Title: Re: something for the bomber dudes....
Post by: Simba on November 13, 2009, 10:22:37 AM
 :salute
Title: Re: something for the bomber dudes....
Post by: APDrone on November 13, 2009, 10:45:17 AM
This was the story Martin Caiden used as the intro to his B17 book, isn't it?

The pilot had a fixed forward firing .50 cal  installed and chased after one zero?

Title: Re: something for the bomber dudes....
Post by: Strip on November 13, 2009, 12:00:18 PM
 :salute
Title: Re: something for the bomber dudes....
Post by: stodd on November 13, 2009, 08:38:46 PM
I saw a program about this on dogfights. I believe many of the crewmen were awarded medal's, some posthumously.
Title: Re: something for the bomber dudes....
Post by: lyric1 on November 13, 2009, 09:00:33 PM
I saw a program about this on dogfights. I believe many of the crewmen were awarded medal's, some posthumously.
Yep the nose gunner took a fatal wound & kept on shooting until he died.
Title: Re: something for the bomber dudes....
Post by: Ack-Ack on November 13, 2009, 09:03:52 PM
I think the B-17 (Old 666) he flew was also unique in the sense that it was the most heavily armed B-17 in the PTO with 19 .50 caliber machine guns.  The bombardier also received the MoH, staying at his gun while severly wounded until he bled to death.

Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any actual photographs of Old 666 to be found, just some B-17Es repainted as Old 666 flying the warbirds circuit at airshows.


ack-ack