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 Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Air Corps) Ray Shuey Wetmore (ASN: 0-675960), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in the 370th Fighter Squadron, 359th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 27 November 1944, during an air mission over Germany. On this date, Captain Wetmore was leader of a flight of four P-51 fighter aircraft on a fighter sweep mission over north central Germany. During the mission he sighted three formations of enemy aircraft, totaling more than 200 FW 190’s and Me-109’s. With total disregard for his own personal safety, Major Wetmore tracked the hostile fighters, radioing their positions, altitude and course to his nearby fighter group. Supporting fighters failed to arrive, and Major Wetmore, ignoring the fact of the overwhelming odds of 200 to 2, chose to attack three of the enemy aircraft in the air. The action of Major Wetmore on this occasion was a clear demonstration of the willful selection of the more hazardous of two acceptable and honorable courses of action, since his withdrawal from the combat under such overwhelmingly unfavorable circumstances would certainly have been acceptable. Captain Wetmore’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 8th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Captain (Air Corps)Action Date:
World War II
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain (Air Corps) Ray Shuey Wetmore (ASN: 0-675960), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement and heroism in the destruction of five enemy airplanes in aerial combat over enemy occupied Continental Europe. The skillful and zealous manner in which Captain Wetmore has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Captain (Air Corps)Batallion:
370th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
359th Fighter GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
November 2, 1944
Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 87 (November 2, 1944)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Air Corps) Ray Shuey Wetmore (ASN: 0-675960), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in the 370th Fighter Squadron, 359th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 2 November 1944, during a bomber escort mission over Germany. Upon leaving the target, Captain Wetmore spotted thirty Me-109’s which he immediately led his section of six airplanes to engage. He overtook the enemy and by the vigor and daring of his attack broke up the Me-109 formation. Scoring hits on one enemy airplane, he pursued it alone through the undercast to complete its destruction. Alone under the overcast, he then engaged from fifteen to twenty more Me-109’s, refusing to break off the action in the face of repeated passes by the enemy pilots although only two of his guns were firing. Despite the overwhelming numerical superiority of the enemy, his cool courage and superb skill as a combat pilot resulted in the destruction of another enemy fighter, and the remaining Me-109’s then dispersed. Captain Wetmore’s resolute determination to attack and destroy the enemy in the face of every hazard and his eagerness to force combat against heavy odds have been an inspiration to his fellow flyers and reflect highest credit upon himself, the 8th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Captain (Air Corps)Action Date:
World War II
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain (Air Corps) Ray Shuey Wetmore (ASN: 0-675960), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement and heroism in aerial combat and the destruction of one enemy airplane over enemy occupied Continental Europe. The skillful and zealous manner in which Captain Wetmore has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
First Lieutenant (Air Corps)Action Date:
World War II
Headquarters, VIII Fighter Command, General Orders No. 45 (May 19, 1944)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Ray Shuey Wetmore (ASN: 0-675960), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement and heroism in aerial combat and the destruction of two enemy airplanes over enemy occupied Continental Europe. The skillful and zealous manner in which Lieutenant Wetmore has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his zealous devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Ray Shuey Wetmore (ASN: 0-675960), United States Air Force, was awarded a Fifth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement in aerial flight. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Captain (Air Corps)Batallion:
370th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
359th Fighter GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
May 29, 1944
Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 510 (October 10, 1944)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Air Corps) Ray Shuey Wetmore (ASN: 0-675960), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving as a Pilot of a Fighter Airplane of the 370th Fighter Squadron, 359th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy while protecting a Bomber Formation over Germany, 29 May 1944. Shortly before the bombers reached their target, approximately sixty enemy fighters attacked from all sides. Captain Wetmore, along with the other members of his flight, made a vigorous assault. With cool and calm deliberation, Captain Wetmore picked his target and closed for the kill. He was informed that an enemy aircraft was on his tail, but with utter disregard for his own safety, he pressed his attack until he saw the plane in his sight burst into flames. Then by skillful maneuvering, he gained a vantage position and successfully destroyed the other aircraft. The aggressive combat tactics and indomitable fighting spirit displayed by Captain Wetmore, were an inspiration to all who participated in this action.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
First Lieutenant (Air Corps)Regiment:
8th Fighter CommandDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
Headquarters, VIII Fighter Command, General Orders No. 33 (April 19, 1944)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 First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Ray Shuey Wetmore (ASN: 0-675960), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement as Pilot of a fighter airplane in World War II. Lieutenant Wetmore has accomplished ten fighter combat missions, or the equivalent thereof, over enemy occupied Continental Europe and has destroyed four enemy airplanes in aerial combat. The skillful and zealous manner in which Lieutenant Wetmore has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Captain (Air Corps)Batallion:
370th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
359th Fighter GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 48 (March 31, 1945)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Captain (Air Corps) Ray Shuey Wetmore (ASN: 0-675960), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a Fighter Airplane of the 370th Fighter Squadron, 359th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the European Theater of Operations, in 1944 and 1945. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain Wetmore, 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:
First Lieutenant (Air Corps)Regiment:
8th Fighter CommandDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
March 16, 1944
Headquarters, VIII Fighter Command, General Orders No. 34 (April 27, 1944)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 First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Ray Shuey Wetmore (ASN: 0-675960), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement in aerial flight near Sommesous, France, 16 March 1944. Sighting two FW 190’s diving at bombers, Lieutenant Wetmore led his flight down to attack and followed the enemy into a dive which reached a speed so great that his controls began to buffet. Nevertheless, he continued to close on the enemy until the Hun exploded under his fire. Reassembling his flight, Lieutenant Wetmore saw two more FW 190-s emerge from the overcast and attacked so violently that his fire blew up one of the enemy before he could shelter in the clouds. Lieutenant Wetmore then drove another enemy aircraft away from a straggling and burning bomber, whose crew was bailing out. His cool skill and courageous leadership in the effective use of his flight reflect great credit on himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.