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 Home > History > USAF Historical Division's Brief History of the 43rd Bombardment Group, 1940-1952 > Medal of Honor Citations



I. MEDAL OF HONOR CITATIONS

2nd Lt. Joseph R. Sarnoski
65th Bombardment Squadron     WD GO 85, 1943
For action over Buka Area, Solomon Islands, 16 June 1943
Maj. Jay Zeamer, Jr.
65th Bombardment Squadron     WD GO 1, 1944
For action over Buka Area, Solomon Islands, 16 June 1943

MEDAL OF HONOR
CITATION

SARNOSKI, JOSEPH R. (Air Mission)

     Rank and Organization: Second Lieutentant, 65th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 43rd Bombardment Group (Heavy). Place and Date: Over Buka Area, Solomon Islands, 16 June 1943. Entered Service At: Pennsylvania. Birth: Simpson, Pa. GO No. 85, 17, Dec, 1943. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty. On 16 June 1943, Second Lieutenant Sarnoski volunteered as bombardier of a crew of 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, Second Lieutenant 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 five of the crew, Second Lieutenant Sarnoski, though wounded, continued firing and shot down two 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. Second Lieutenant Sarnoski by resolute defense of his aircraft at the price of his life, made posible the completion of a vitally important mission.

WD GO 85, 1943

MEDAL OF HONOR
CITATION

ZEAMER, JAY, Jr. (Air Mission)

     Rank and Organization: Major, 65th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 43rd Bombardment Group (Heavy). Place and Date: Over Buka Area, Solomon Islands, 16 June 1943. Entered Service at: Orange, N.J. Birth: Carlisle, Pa. GO No. 1. 4 Jan 1944. Citation: On 16 June 1943, Major Zeamer (then Captain) 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 the 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.

WD GO 1, 1944