OK, Campers, another Medal of Honor Recipient from WWII. This one is somewhat unique. As I've written before, virtually all Medal of Honor awards were awarded to a single recipient. There two cases were there were two Medal of Honor Recipients on the Mission. We will be discussing one of those missions (don't worry the other mission is on the schedule. In this post we will be talking about Joseph Sarnoski and Jay Zeamer.
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Lt Sarnoski
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| Major Zeamer Source |
This
was kind of interesting to me for a variety of reasons. First, when I
hear about B-17s, like most people I immediately think of 8th Air Force,
Great Britain and Nazi Germany. The Flying Fortress flew in every
theater of war in WWII, and while I knew that, I didn't appreciate some
of the aspects of that fact.
Lt Sarnoski and Major Zeamer are unique in that, although they were in
the same aircraft when the action occurred, they received them for
different reasons.
This site, as usual, has quite a bit of detailed information about the mission, providing some of those bon mots that bring the incident to life.
Apparently,
Major Zeamer was a natural leader, who had had a problem checking out
as a pilot in the B-26. In fact, at the time of this mission, he was NOT a
qualified B-17 pilot. He had only passed the qualifications to be a
co-pilot.
My
interpretation of this was not that he lacked the flying ability, but
that he lacked the ability to comply with what would later become the
SAC way of flying. Based on this, or perhaps because of this, he was
sent to 5th Air Force in the South Pacific, in the B-26. (Source) He raised the
ire of his mates there by, apparently falling asleep, during the bomb
run on missions evidently due to boredom. He was transferred to a B-17
unit, where he was assigned to some one who "got" him, and trained
him.
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| Major Zeamer is 2nd from left back row, Lt Sarnowski is last on the right back row. Source |
Major
Zeamer eventually put together a crew of misfits like himself, found a
shot up B-17 that was being cannibalized and restored it to flying
status, added additional armament to it and began flying missions no one
else wanted to fly.
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| Believed to be the only picture of their aircraft Source |
Such
was the state of the war in that theater, that no one really asked to
see his "papers" authorizing him to fly as pilot in command. My kinda
guy!
Fighter Pilot is an Attitude, not an AFSC! (Air Force Specialty Code in your record so that people reading it knew what you were qualified for. Mine was 11F1F (F-15 Pilot)!
In
any case, in June of 1943, Major Zeamer takes a mission to map
Bougainville, in preparation for invasion. Somebody, flying a chair,
had also asked them to take pictures of the airfield at Buka. Major
Zeamer declined as that would have alerted the Japanese to his approach.
As
he's approaching the target, he realizes he's 30 minutes ahead of
schedule, so decides to fly over Buka and take the pictures. He does
and now back on time, but with the Japanese alerted, flies on to perform
his mapping mission.
Lt
Sarnoski had received orders sending him stateside in 3 days as he's
been in theater for 18 months and more than exceeded his required
missions. Everything I read about him said he was an outstanding
bombardier as well as an excellent shot with the machine gun. He
volunteered to go on the mission as his replacement had come down with
malaria and was grounded.
The
mission is going to be dangerous for a couple of reasons, as they are
taking pictures to be used as maps, the aircraft cannot deviate from the
flight path at all. Straight and level. Also, in order for the
mission to be successful, the film must make it back to base. Getting
shot down is mission failure, as well as the usual bad stuff involved
with getting shot down.
They
are in the final phases of the mission when they notice Japanese
Zero's taking off and pursuing them. Modifications to their B-17 were
such that instead of the usual 10 x .50 Cal machine guns, they had 19.
The first Zero's that attacked from the tail were shot down.
Other
Zero's maneuvered around to the front for a head on attack. One is
shot down by Lt Sarnoski, but another one attacks and shatters the front
end of the bomber severely injuring him, throwing him back under the
flight deck. Damage is such that Major Zeamer can see him through the
holes.
Declining first aid, Lt Sarnoski manages to pull himself back to his position and resume firing, destroying a Japanese Dinah twin engine fighter.
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| Source |
Major
Zeamer has not escaped injury from the head on attacks either. He's
severely injured in the legs and arms, and is flying the aircraft with
his fingers.
Sources
I've found say this aerial battle went on from 40 minutes to an hour as
the B-17 makes it's exit from the target area. As they prepare to make a
final attack, Major Zeamer pulls the B-17 into a steep dive into some
clouds. The Japanese being low on fuel and ammunition, assume that was a
death dive and RTB.
Major
Zeamer pulls the aircraft out of the dive and continues to command the
aircraft between periods of unconciousness due to blood loss. The
Co-pilot is performing first aid on Lt Sarnoski and the aircraft is
being flown by one of the Gunners.
RTB
takes about 4 hours and Lt Sarnoski succumbs to his injuries enroute.
Major Zeamer revives in time to make the actual landing and passes out
again on shutdown hearing the medics say to "leave the pilot for last,
he's dead."
Fortunately, that wasn't true, although the Doctors eventually pulled 150 pieces of metal out of him, most parts of the B-17.
He passed away in 2017.
One of the sources
I found for Lt Sarnoski was entitled, "From a common man, uncommon
Valor". I think that has been a frequent summation for the folks on
that monument at Lackland.
Major Zeamer's 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.
Lt. Sarnoski's Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty. On 16 June 1943, 2d Lt. Sarnoski volunteered as bombardier of a crew on an important photographic mapping mission covering the heavily defended Buka area, Solomon Islands.
When the mission was nearly completed, about 20 enemy fighters intercepted. At the nose guns, 2d Lt. Sarnoski fought off the first attackers, making it possible for the pilot to finish the plotted course. When a coordinated frontal attack by the enemy extensively damaged his bomber, and seriously injured 5 of the crew, 2d Lt. Sarnoski, though wounded, continued firing and shot down 2 enemy planes.
A 20-millimeter shell which burst in the nose of the bomber knocked him into the catwalk under the cockpit. With indomitable fighting spirit, he crawled back to his post and kept on firing until he collapsed on his guns. 2d Lt. Sarnoski by resolute defense of his aircraft at the price of his life, made possible the completion of a vitally important mission.
Sources
https://www.cmohs.org/index.php/recipients/joseph-r-sarnoski
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Sarnoski
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Zeamer_Jr.
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Amazing!
ReplyDeleteI'm really enjoying these, juvat. Not commenting much because what is there to say?
Joe,
DeleteThanks, I appreciate the complement.
juvat
Where do we find such men, indeed?
ReplyDelete"Such was the state of the war in that theater, that no one really asked to see his "papers" authorizing him to fly as pilot in command. My kinda guy!" Mine too, Juvat.
THBB,
DeleteYeah, there sure was a lot of difference between Europe and the Pacific. The latter was quite a bit less "sophisticated" than Europe. Living in tents etc. Long distances with nothing but water under you for most of it and not much chance of survival if you had to bail out. Which is not to say that Europe was a walk in the park, but....Did two tours in the Pacific Okinawa and Korea. Both still had "Stuff" that hadn't exploded and needed to be taken care of by experts. Deployed to the Phillipines many times for PACAF's version of "Red Flag". Lot of good flying and lessons learned, but I wouldn't have wanted to bail out over that jungle. So...I've got a lot of respect for these guys that fought there.
juvat
REAL warriors often don't always color inside the lines. Admiral Nelson "turning a blind eye" to signals. A certain mustachioed Phantom Phlyer omitting claims for additional kills to avoid being sent home. A bit of abrasiveness or not playing well with others may not be rewarded in peacetime, but can be invaluable when the shooting starts.
ReplyDeleteWars are sometimes won by misfits and unconventional folks, not "plaster saints."
Thank God we have had men like these two who were where they were needed in a crisis.
John Blackshoe
JB,
DeleteYeah, I've met a few of them and you're absolutely right. And as to the last, I'm figuring out that there were a few more that fit in that appraisal. Thanks
juvat
Plus 1 to Joe's comment above.
ReplyDeleteWhen ya stop and think about the movies that have been put out in the past few years, I have to wonder why on earth the screenwriter's didn't use some of these MOH stories to base movies on. Certainly sounds like there was lots of action for action movie buffs, and not all of the crew died, which would kinda shorten up a movie...Hollywood needs to catch a clue!!
Just my $0.02. Worth what ya pay for it. Thanks again for researching and bringing us all these juvat!!!
Suz
Suz,
DeleteYou're absolutely right. Making movies that talk about responsibility, danger, courage and teamwork (I think there are quite a few more, but it's a short reply) would do wonders for pointing them in the right direction in their lives. Unfortunately, there aren't many of those being made. N'est-ce Pas?
juvat
The Pacific theater was, indeed, quite different than the European theater. Planes and equipment that would have been scrapped were kept in service. Not to mention the salt air, tropical diseases, nasty wildlife and the occasional Imperial Japanese.
ReplyDeleteAnd they completed the mission. Heroes indeed.