Major Jay Zeamer Jr., an airman in the U.S. Army Air Corps, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on June 16, 1943 over Buka area, Solomon Islands during World War II. At the time he was serving with 65th Bombardment Squadron, 43d Bombardment Group, 5th Air Force. Zeamer was 24 years old.
One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on January 16, 1944 — the Pentagon, presented by Gen. Henry H. (Hap) Arnold in his office.
Zeamer was born on July 25, 1918 in Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. His Medal of Honor is credited to Machias, Washington County, Maine. Zeamer died on March 22, 2007 in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, at the age of 88. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in 809-4, Virginia. His medal is held by National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH.
Zeamer is one of 474 Medal of Honor recipients from World War II and one of 66 credited to Maine.
Official Medal of Honor 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, 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 flight which lasted 40 minutes. The crew destroyed at least five hostile planes, of which Maj. 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, Maj. Zeamer, with superb skill, resolution, and courage, accomplished a mission of great value.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and injuries
What the citation records about his wounds:
In the ensuing engagement, Maj. 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 flight which lasted 40 minutes.
- Age at death: 88
- Resting place: Arlington National Cemetery
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Jay Zeamer Jr. received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War II.
Life beyond the battlefield
Source: Wikidata.
Places
Timeline
- July 25, 1918Born in Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
- June 16, 1943Act of valor — over Buka area, Solomon IslandsAge 24. 65th Bombardment Squadron, 43d Bombardment Group, 5th Air Force
- January 16, 1944Medal of Honor presentedThe Pentagon, presented by Gen. Henry H. (Hap) Arnold in his office
- March 22, 2007Died in Boothbay Harbor, MaineAge 88.
- Resting placeArlington National Cemetery809-4, Virginia
Biography
Jay Zeamer Jr. (July 25, 1918 – March 22, 2007) was a pilot of the United States Army Air Forces in the South Pacific during World War II, who received the Medal of Honor for valor during a B-17 Flying Fortress mission on June 16, 1943. After the war, he became an aeronautical engineer and worked in the aerospace industry.
From the Wikipedia article “Jay Zeamer Jr.”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
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