The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Jay Zeamer, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight over Rabaul, New Britain, on 6 April 1942. This B-26 type aircraft was one of a formation which participated in the first bombardment mission ever performed in this type airplane. The plane took off in the early morning from an advanced airdrome which was, even under the most favorable conditions, a dangerous field on which to operate a B-26. In darkness and heavy rain, with a low ceiling, the eight aircraft attempted to complete their formation. Two airplanes turned back, but the remaining six planes proceeded through the treacherous Owen-Stanley Mountain Range. After flying by instruments half way to Rabaul, the weather cleared and the approach to the target was made with good visibility. In the face of an exceedingly heavy anti-aircraft barrage and the danger of attack by three enemy Zeros which were seen taking off in an attempt to intercept the formation, three bombing runs were made on enemy shipping in the harbor. One cargo vessel was sunk and two others were seriously damaged. Two of the planes of the formation were struck by anti-aircraft fire, one of them being forced down in the water on the return trip. The remaining crews dropped life rafts to the stricken crew and then proceeded back to the base, where the B-26’s were landed with an average of ten minutes supply of fuel in their tanks. The ability, courage and eagerness to carry the attack to the enemy despite great odds, as displayed by these combat crew members, are in keeping with the finest traditions of their Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Medal of Honor
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
First Lieutenant (Air Corps)Batallion:
65th Bombardment SquadronRegiment:
43d Bombardment Group (H)Division:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
April 12, 1943
Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 123 (1943)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Jay Zeamer (ASN: 0-383971), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress Bomber of the 403d Bombardment Squadron, 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy), FIFTH Air Force, in aerial operations over the Rabaul Area, New Britain, in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations, on 12 April 1943. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Zeamer, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
First Lieutenant (Air Corps)Batallion:
403d Bombardment SquadronRegiment:
43d Bombardment Group (H)Division:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
November 20, 1942
Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 63 (1943)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Jay Zeamer (ASN: 0-383971), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress Bomber of the 403d Bombardment Squadron, 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy), FIFTH Air Force, in aerial operations over Rabaul Harbor, New Britain, in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations, on 20 November 1942. On that date First Lieutenant Zeamer flew down over Rabaul for a look at the harbor when a flight of Zeroes was seen taking off from a nearby airdrome. Maneuvering the bomber into the clouds, they avoided contact and eluded 15 to 40 enemy Zeroes. Returning a long the coastline, they sighted a fresh flight of Zeros flushed from Buna. In the battle that followed at least two of the enemy Zeros were shot down in flames. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Zeamer, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
CaptainBatallion:
65th Bombardment SquadronRegiment:
43d Bombardment Group (H)Division:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
April 5, 1942 – January 27, 1943
5th Air Force, General Orders No. 102 (May 26, 1943)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Jay Zeamer, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a B-17 Bomber Pilot of the 65th Bombardment Squadron, 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy), FIFTH Air Force, while participating in 200 hours of operational flight missions in the Southwest Pacific Area from 5 April 1942 to 27 January 1943, during which hostile contact was probable and expected. These operations consisted of long-range bombing missions against enemy airdromes, harbors, shipping and naval forces. Throughout these flights, outstanding ability and devotion to duty were demonstrated.
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Medal of Honor
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Major (Air Corps), [then Captain]Batallion:
65th Bombardment SquadronRegiment:
43d Bombardment Group (H)Division:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
June 16, 1943
War Department, General Orders Date: January 14, 1944The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Major (Air Corps), [then Captain] Jay Zeamer, United States Army Air Forces, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 65th Bombardment Squadron, 43d Bombardment Group (H), 5th Air Force. On 16 June 1943, Major Zeamer 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, Major Zeamer proceeded with his mapping run, even after the enemy attack began. In the ensuing engagement, Major Zeamer sustained gunshot wounds in both arms and legs, one 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 five hostile planes, of which Major Zeamer himself shot down one. 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, Major Zeamer, with superb skill, resolution, and courage, accomplished a mission of great value.