Jay Zeamer, MoH USAAF Passes

[Don Martin]

Jay Zeamer Died on thursday at his home in Boothbay Harbor. He won the MoH in action with the 43rd BG in the Solomons in 1943.
The article is here.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massac ... ies_at_88/

[Mudge]

It's really sad to see more and more of "The Greatest Generation" heroes passing. And they were ALL heroes. It's just that not ALL of them got medals for it.

Mudge the saddened

ps. Don...a personal thanks for using the name of the award correctly. All too often, it's incorrectly referred to as the Congressional Medal of Honor.
(One of my pet peeves)

[mustangdriver]

I couldn't say it any better Mudge

[Jerry O'Neill]

Quote from the Boston Obit: "After the war, Zeamer worked at Pratt & Whitney in Hartford, Conn., before moving on to Hughes Aircraft in Los Angeles and then Raytheon in Bedford, Mass."

I was at the bar in the Hotel at the TICO show back in 1989 when a man in front of me turned around and his name tag read "Jay Zeamer". I was floored to be face to face with some one I had admired for years. A real gentleman who spent a lot of time throughout that weekend answering my questions. It was one of the hi-lights of my air show career.

I had a great time and here's a little something for you all that you might not know, and it relates to the above quote:
Jay Zeamer was one of the guys at Pratt & Whitney who flew the five-engine, B-17 test bed that has now been reincarnated as "Liberty Belle"! We spoke a lot about that airplane back in '89 and I even happened to have had photos with me of the B-17 to show him her state at that time.

So if anybody visits "Liberty Belle" as she tours the country, give pause while you're there and think of Jay Zeamer, an American hero.

We only spoke that weekend, but I will miss him.
Godspeed Jay, and thank you.

Jerry

[ZeamerB17]

You're right, Jerry. I spoke to Col. Zeamer on the phone a few years ago and he told me he flew the 5-engine job. I didn't realize it was "Liberty Belle", however.
This is very sad for me since Jay Zeamer is my favorite B-17 pilot and I admire him very much. I cherish the letters and signed photo I received from him. I'm just sorry I never got to meet him.


Dave

[ZeamerB17]

You're right, Jerry. I spoke to Col. Zeamer on the phone a few years ago and he told me he flew the 5-engine job. I didn't realize it was "Liberty Belle", however.
This is very sad for me since Jay Zeamer is my favorite B-17 pilot and I admire him very much. I cherish the letters and signed photo I received from him. I'm just sorry I never got to meet him.


Dave

[Don Martin]

Thanks, Mudge! I try to be accurate BEFORE I post..............most of the time!


Don the Humble

[Jack Cook]

A few years ago Col Zeamer was being interviewed about his exploits at the Devil's Punchbowl military Cemetary in Hawaii. During the interview he happened to glance down and see that by fate he was standing by Joe Sarnoski's grave. He immediately broke down. That was a very powerful moment

[fotobass]

Where'd that interview air, Jack?

[Jack Cook]

Where'd that interview air, Jack?

I'm not sure it wasa few years back.
Here's a shot of him just after he realized he was at
Sarnoski's grave.

[fotobass]

Does anyone know if there are any images that survive of the B-17 Zeamer flew on the Buka mission?

[ZeamerB17]

"Does anyone know if there are any images that survive of the B-17 Zeamer flew on the Buka mission?"


I've been looking for one for years and haven't found one. I asked Col. Zeamer in a letter if any pics were taken after that mission and he said no. I thought surely someone must have taken a pic of it after a mission like that, but maybe not? Perhaps there's one from when it flew with the 19th BG prior to transferring to the 43rd, but I haven't found one yet. Haven't given up, either.

Dave

[Second Air Force]

I had the honor of meeting Col. Zeamer and talking briefly with him several years ago in Dallas. He spoke of how proud he was of his crew, the way they got their B-17 ready for combat, and his sadness at the loss of Lt. Sarnoski on that fateful mission. We visited for only a few minutes, but I will always remember that encounter.

I've said it before--never miss a chance to visit with and thank a veteran when you meet one.
Scott

[mustangdriver]

Is this the same mission that was on the "Dogfights" TV show? they had extra guns mounted in the aircraft. Correct?

[ZeamerB17]

Yep, this was that mission; according to Jay Zeamer himself there were nineteen 50 calibers mounted on 41-2666.

Dave