Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

Bud's victories:

0 - Me-110 prob, Jan 30, 1944, between 1150 & 1220 h, vicinity of Marstedt; FT-N
1 - Me-109, Feb 20, 1310 h, vicinity of Oschersleben; FT-J
2 - Me-109, Mar 16, 1124 h, Nordlingen; FT-V
3 - FW-190, Apr 13, 1410 h, S of Darmstadt; FT-G
4&5 - Me-109, May 13, 1135 to 1710 h, mission to Politz; FT-G, OpRep 46
6&7 - Me-109, May 28, 1349 to 1410 h, Neuhaldensleben; FT-G, OpRep 62
8 - FW-190, May 28, 1349 to 1410 h, Neuhaldensleben; FT-G, OpRep 62
9 - FW-190, June 12, 1155 to 1510 h, enroute Bonnstable; FT-G, OpRep 80
10 - Me-109, June 14, 2020 h, vicinity of Caen; FT-W, OpRep 85
10.5 - FW-190, June 29, 1407 to 1422 h, Berriere, shared w/Reynolds; FT-G, OpRep 124
11 - Me-109, July 26, 1430 h, St Sever Forest, shared w/Bickel; FT-G, OpRep 256
12&13 - Me-109, July 26, 1430 h, St Sever Forest; FT-G, OpRep 256
14 - Me-109, Aug 7, 1520 h, Mayene; FT-G, OpRep 333

All claims are confirmed by 9th AF/9th TAC VCB reports to April, and 9th AF/19th TAC VCB reports from May on. OpReps (Operational Reports) are held by both USAFHRA at Maxwell AFB, and NARA II at College Park. Aircraft codes are from the daily mission schedules, held at NARA II.

I left off the damaged claims. 354th Encounter Reports are complete only for the 356th FS; it is hit or miss for the 353rd and 355th FS.

Enjoy!

Frank.

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

Thanks, Frank. I did not have the time or the mission location....thanks for adding that information. As for my dating of the two photos which Bud sent home to family of his B-model (with 6 kills) and his D-model (with 11 kills), I'll hold with the same dates but will discard the thought of having been taken between missions. It looks like the multiple kills on those two days came within close proximity of each other.

As to why a photo would be taken when another iron cross was about to be painted on the a/c....I have no answer. It defies logic....and it occurred twice....any educated guesses out there?

Tripp

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

Tripp - i think you know this Foto from DULAG Luft Wetzlar- Col. Stark was often in Giessen in the Hospital to visit wounded american Flyers shot down in this Area.

Greetings peglar

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

The sixth kill markings could have been the "0 - Me-110 prob, Jan 30, 1944, between 1150 & 1220 h, vicinity of Marstedt; FT-N" that Frank has or a ground victory ?
Not sure.
Rick

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

Frank - do you know if NARA II has the 355th FG Tower Logs?

Regards,

Bill

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

Bill,
I don't remember seeing anything labelled "Tower Logs". When I went through the 355th FG material a few months ago I was after the Encounter Reports, which I copied. I usually look at what else is in the boxes, just to see if something with aircraft serials for missions is there. I will be back in April and can pull it again and catalog the contents if you wish.

Enjoy!

Frank.

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

Thanks Frank - The Tower Log may not be the right name but it was the bible for all pilot/squadron codes. Rush was the tower officer and his certification/report was attached to all the Macrs..

Thanks for taking a look.

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

Here's a display I made on Don Beerbower for Evergreen. They were planning on repainting their P-51D has his a/c but after Mike Smith died that idea went south also.
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x...dImage-2-1.jpg

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

Interesting display to honor the memory of Maj. Don M. Beerbower, USAAF.
It brings to mind some questions:

1. Upper row, far left - Don was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross
posthumously, on 14 Dec 44 when top brass (Vandenberg, Weyland,
Sanders) visited the 354FG. Is the ribbon in the display the DSC or the Air
Force Cross (which was authorized 1960 & 1st awarded in 1964)?

2. Bottom row, far right - is this the French Croix De Guerre? If so, does
anyone know how many were awarded to members of the 354FG and to
whom and what date(s)? (or, was it a group award?)

Thank you.
Tripp

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

The ribbon is a DSC and the Croix de Guerre was a group award. I didn't have a ribbon for the Brit DFC so that was left out.
Here's a film clip of don rec'v the SS and Emmer, Bickel and Brooks rec'v DFCs in France.
http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65...fighter-pilots

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

Ah, that would be on 22 July 44 at A-2 near Criqueville, France. Nice film of
the ceremonies....thanks!

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

15 Feb 45 - 'Lest We Forget:

On this 66th anniversary of Bud's death as a POW at Dulag Luft Wetzlar it's important to say thanks and remember those who helped in various ways. During these years of research into the fate of the Emmer boys, certain new facts have been discovered.

1. To Lt. Col. Edward Regis, USAF (Ret.) for escorting Bud back to base on 21 Feb 44, when he experienced engine trouble while returning from a mission to Brunswick. He could have been bounced by Luftwaffe fighters if you hadn't been there to help your flight leader.

2. To Theodore Sedvert, Indianapolis, Ind, who gave an eyewitness report that he had seen a parachute at approx. 10,500 ft. This was 500 ft. below their altitude when ARSON'S REWARD (FT-G) was hit by a German 88mm AAA shell while returning from an armed recce sweep near Rouen, France. This gave hope, to his unit and his family, that Bud, who was leading the mission as RED ONE, had survived the explosion aboard his a/c and was still alive.

3. To the families of Fred Wolter and Jim Howard. Both later relayed news to his parents that Bud had survived his fiery bailout from ARSON'S REWARD (FT-G) on 9 Aug and that he was being cared for in German hospitals.

4. SSgt. Don Beal who helped Bud into the air raid shelter at Dulag Luft Wetzlar and onto a bench during an air raid only 1-2 days before he died. Bud received severe burns to his legs and had trouble walking. Don's compassion for helping a fellow airman, while showing proper respect to an officer, are proud qualities of America's airmen.

5. Fellow members of the 354FG Jim Howard, David O'Hara, Robert Goodnight who joined Col. Christine (from Scott Field)---thank you for coming to St. Louis for the presentation on 8 Apr 45 of Bud's medals to his parents. Also, to the Boy Scouts of Troop 90 who provided a fitting color guard for the ceremony.

6. To "Willie Y" Anderson, a squadron mate of Bud's, who sent flowers to the family. Willie Y, an ace (7) of the 353FS, retired after a long career as a senior captain with United Airlines.

7. To the AmVets organization for naming a St. Louis post in memory of the Emmer brothers. And, to Lou Heyman, a member of that post, who served as a pallbearer in Ray's funeral when the boys were brought home from Europe in 1948 for internment in St. Louis. (The AmVets post no longer exists)

8. To William B. Williams, best friend of Bud's brother Ray, who tried to save him that night of 18 Nov 44 when Ray was hit by shrapnel, just west of Eudenbreth, Germany and just east of the Intl. Hwy. which marked the Belgian-German border.

9. To SSgt Fred Zimmerman of H Co, 394th Inf. Regiment, 99th Division who protected Ray when he was harassed by others. Regrettably, Sgt. Zimmerman was killed in the opening barrage of German artillery, early in the morning of 16 Dec 44....the first shots of the Battle of the Bulge. Ironically Zimmerman, who was recovering from wounds suffered in the mortar barrage which killed Ray, had just exchanged places on either side of a 30cal machine gun with Bill Williams and was now closer to the entrance of the foxhole. He was severely wounded in the barrage and tried to make it to an aid station. Sgt. Zimmerman was subsequently hit by a shellburst and was most likely killed instantly. Thanks to Bill Warnock for writing in great detail about this segment of the history of the 99th Division.

10. To Flugplatz Giessen - for sending to his family the photo of Bud's burial on 18 Feb 45 in Bublinghausen, Germany, with honors rendered by German soldiers (Fielen dank).

Again, a warm thank you to these kind folks from the family of the Emmer boys.

Tripp

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

I have located the info. to confirm the answer to my earlier question:


The French Croix de Guerre with Palm was awarded to the 354FG to cover
the period of: 1 Dec 1943-31 Dec 1944.


Source: <http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=9966>


Tripp

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

Regarding post #52, items 8 & 9:

Bill Williams, like Ray Emmer, was part of the ASTP (Army Specialized Training Program) where approx. 200,000 army men, who had scored higher on their AGCT scores, were placed in special technical training at more than 200 colleges for education in medicine, dentistry, languages, engineering & personnel psychology.

When battle casualties began taking their toll on mlty. personnel readiness levels it was decided to shift many men from the ASTP to infantry & airborne divisions. Many of these men could easily have succeeded in OCS yet they were transferred into infantry divisions as privates (even though some may have had higher ranks). When Bill Williams, Ray Emmer and others reached the 99th Division at Camp Maxey, Texas, they were viewed as a threat ("smart college boys") by non-comms & other enlisted in the division. Hazing and harassment occurred and Ray was beaten up by his squad Sgt. in F Co. 394th Infantry Regiment. Ray was transferred to H Co. This was not a proud day for the U.S. Army!

This note is added so that you can understand our gratitude for Sgt. Fred Zimmerman for protecting his men (including Ray Emmer).
Tripp

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

As 18 November nears it's time to pause and remember that Bud's younger brother Ray was mortally wounded on this day by a German mortar barrage.
Earlier posts detail the events of that evening, so we'll simply say:

Ray, how can we say thanks for your service & your ultimate sacrifice? The best way is to never forget!

PFC Raymond P. Emmer, USA - KIA 18 Nov 44 (his brother's birthday....)

Tripp

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

'Lest We Forget.........a moment to remember Capt. Bud (Wally) Emmer, acting CO of the 353FS for only a few hours, who died this day 67 years ago at the Dulag Luft POW camp in Wetzlar, Germany.
You're remembered warmly by your family---very proud of your leadership during wartime and your accomplishments as an aviator.

And also a warm thanks to Flugplatz Giessen for starting this discussion thread which affords us an opportunity to honor and remember Bud.

RIP with your brother Ray.

Tripp

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

COLLECTED DATA ON AERIAL VICTORY CREDITS
Capt. Wallace N. Emmer, USAAF (1 Dec 43 - 9 Aug 44)
353FS 354FG XIX TAC 9AF

AVC SEQUENCE & AIRCRAFT INFO:

FT-G Ser. #43-6430 "PEACEFUL PENGUIN" P-51B (Total = 1)
1 - 13 Apr 44 FW-190

FT-G Ser. #(unknown) "ARSON'S REWARD" P-51B (Total = 6)
2 - 13 May 44 ME-109s (2) (Bud became an Ace)
3 - 28 May 44 ME-109s (2)/FW-190 (1)
1 - 12 Jun 44 FW-190

FT-G Ser. #44-13400 "ARSON'S REWARD" P-51D (Total = 3)
.5- 29 Jun 44 FW-190 (shared)
2.5-26 Jul 44 ME-109s (2.5)

FT-G Ser. #44-13948 "ARSON'S REWARD" P-51D (Total = 1)
1- 7 Aug 44 ME-109

Also, 3 other AVCs (all against ME-109s) in FT-J, FT-V, FT-W.
Clearly Bud's greatest success was with his new B model in May/June '44. He became
a Double Ace on 14 June 44. Of course, the main factors for e/a encounters were types
of missions, weather, location, role, timing in the war, pure chance, etc.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SOME CORRECTIONS TO EARLIER POSTS:

1. We'll just say that the photo of Bud, standing in front of his "new"
P-51B "Arson's Reward", was most likely taken sometime between
13 May and 28 May ----6 victories shown below canopy.

2. Note from #33 on 31 Jul 2009----Bud had his new P-51D Ser.
#44-13400 for a while since he had AVCs on 6/29 & 7/26 before it was
washed out on 3 Aug.

3. Ser. #43-6430 is the correct and complete ID for the Peaceful Penguin.

Thanks again to Frank Olynyk for providing so much data on Bud's AVCs.

Tripp

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

Photo of Bud Emmer during 353FS training at Portland AAB, Oregon. 1943.
He's flying the P-39 "My Baby" #12, Ser.# 29111.

Also, Bud stands over the smouldering remains of P-51B (FT-G) "PEACEFUL PENGUIN",
Ser. #43-6430, after an explosion and fire during servicing of the oxygen unit on 4 May 44.

Tripp

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

ADDITIONAL NOTES: To #25 posted on 10/6/2008

1. The P-51B pictured is Bud's FT-G, but no Ser. # has yet been found.
This was the a/c in which he scored 6 AVCs.

2. The D-model showing 11 victories is Ser. #44-13400 and the photo
must be from early to mid-July (since Bud chalked up AVCs 12 & 13
on 26 July 44). Bud scored 3 AVCs in this a/c.


This means that no photos of Bud's last a/c, Ser. #44-13948, have ever been shown. Can anyone post a shot of the last "ARSON'S REWARD" ?
Thanks,

Tripp

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

Reminder: the damaged P-51D which is photographed on the ground in "History in the Sky" is #44-13400 on 3 Aug 44, following a landing accident which occurred while Franklin "Bud" Rose, Jr. was returning from Mission #185, a bomber escort mission to protect B-26s flying to Chartres. Fortunately, Rose was unhurt in the crash.

On 4 Aug Bud (Emmer) flew a different a/c on Mission #186, which was a fighter sweep NE of Paris. He did not fly on the 5th or 6th. On the 7th he led both patrol missions (#190 & 191) over Vire-Argentan-Alencon-Laval in his new a/c and was credited with a confirmed kill of a ME-109 (his 14th and last AVC) sometime around 1520h. No missions were flown on 8 Aug. He did not fly the morning mission (#192 to Flugplatz A213, north of Reims) on 9 Aug, when his CO and longtime buddy, Don Beerbower, was KIA.

....so, we're focusing on a very narrow window (for photos of the a/c) between the time when the new FT-G Ser. #44-13948 was assigned to Bud Emmer and 1658h on the afternoon of 9 Aug 44 when he took off on his last mission (#193), leading the 353FS as Red One (Jacknife 60) on an armed recce back to the Reims area......his 3rd mission in his new "ARSON'S REWARD".

Tripp

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

Found some Pictures in the Archive - maybe from Emmer Burial.

Greetings Peglar

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

Thanks, Peglar, for posting this photo....indeed a somber moment in the lives of the "kriegies" (kriegsgefangenen---POWs).

It's close but I don't think that this is the burial procession for Bud, here's why I think this:

1. There are 10 rifle men in the detail.
2. There is a priest in traditional garb ahead of the casket.
3. The casket appears (under the flowers) to be rather fancy.

Here are the items which I used in the comparison:

1. In the photo marked as Bud's burial detail which is located in response #31 of this thread, please note that there are
only 6 rifle men rendering the military honors. However, the German soldier at attention at the left end of the line appears
to be the same soldier at the head of the burial column in your photo, Peglar. This would confirm a Wetzlar burial detail.

2. Please note response #16 in this thread, the copy of the letter from Col. Charles W. Stark, USAAF to Bud's parents
which describe the detail----the officiant who conducted the burial was Capt. Daniel McGowan, English camp chaplain,
who most likely would have been in military uniform.

3. The plain wooden casket is clearly visible to the far left in the #31 photo, not a fancy casket. Thanks again from the
Emmer family to Flugplatz Giessen for posting this photo from the Raymond Toliver book "The Interrogator", the story of
Hans Scharff, the interrogator at Dulag Luft Oberusel, near Wetzlar.

Any comments/responses are most welcome to help sort out these questions.
Many sincere thanks!

Tripp

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Mr. Hermanns!

Mr. Hermanns is the father of Rudolf Hermanns and will turn 90 years old this coming May. So, you ask, why is today his birthday? According to his son, Rudolf, today marks his "2nd birthday" as, 68 years ago, he parachuted from his damaged Bf 110 shortly after noon in the vicinity of Nordlingen, Germany. Mr. Hermanns was the rear gunner in the Zerstorer. Franz Reich was the pilot. Their a/c had been damaged by an American P-51 of the USAAF, and they exited the a/c before it exploded....yes, a 2nd birthday indeed!

This is the reason why I've recently inquired about ME-110 losses on 16 Mar 44, to try and verify unit/squadron/other data in connection with this event as Bud Emmer is credited with a "damaged" ME-110 at this time and place.

Danke,
Tripp

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

Many thanks to those who have responded with excellent data to help me in my research. Is there anyone else who might have further data about the ME-110 piloted by Franz Reich (Mr. Hermanns, rear gunner) on 16 Mar 1944?

Thank you,
Tripp

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

The above claim by Mr. Hermanns turned out to be a hoax.........

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

A belated posting to remember that evening in the woods just west of Udenbreth, Germany. It was just over the border from Belgium with Raymond P. Emmer and his buddy, Bill Williams, as ammo bearers located in a foxhole just behind the gun emplacement for a 30cal machine gun of H Co/2nd Bat/394 Infantry Regiment/99 Division in Omar Bradley's 1st Army. Ray was suffering from trenchfoot and was distraught after receiving a letter from his mother which informed him that his older brother, Bud, had been shot down (on Aug. 9th). Though Bud had survived the explosion of his P-51D ARSON'S REWARD and was a POW, Ray was convinced that his brother was dead. Highly accurate enemy mortar fire descended upon their position and Ray was hit by shrapnel. Bill pulled Ray back into the foxhole....Ray groaned once
and was gone....it was Nov. 18, 1944....Bud's 27th birthday.

We remember the two Emmer brothers who gave their lives in WWII.

Tripp

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

......to remember Bud Emmer who, this day 69 years ago, died in POW transit camp Dulag Wetzlar. Recipient of the DSC, Silver Star, DFC (3x), Air Medal (25x) and Purple Heart he was hit by German anti-aircraft fire near Rouen, France on 9 Aug 44 and parachuted safely from his burning P-51D "ARSON'S REWARD" to the ground. He was the acting CO of the 353FS (354FG/100FW/XIX TAC/9AF) and had just lost his best friend and tentmate that morning, the 353FS CO Don Beerbower.

His parents, Blanch & Viv Emmer lost both their boys in the ETO during WWII and lived for another 30 years with their photos on a lighted table in their home.

RIP, Bud & Ray.

Tripp

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

Hello. My father was Ft Lt LA Walker RAAF of 466 Squadron. Captain Bud Emmer died in my father's arms on Feb 15 1945. Dad never got over this terrible tragedy. I would love to hear from any of you who are associated or related to Bud. Bud gave my father an item before he died that has been treasured by my father and now me for 69 years. It sits on my desk as it sat on my father's desk until he died. I was shocked to finally find photos of Bud on this site and very much hope we make contact with family in the near future. All the best. Regards, Tiana Walker Adair

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

9 Aug 1944


To remember that day when Bud Emmer ("Red One") was shot down while leading the 353rd Fighter Squadron on an armed recce mission near Rouen, France.


His best friend, Don Beerbower, was his tentmate. Don was Sqdn CO and had just recently pinned on the oak leaves of Major. Bud was his OPSO. When they awoke that morning little did they know that, by the end of the day, Don would be dead and Bud would be badly burned and in German hands...this is war.


Their "Bonnie B II" (Don) and "Arson's Reward" (Bud) would be destroyed, but not before they had shot down a combined 29 1/2 enemy aircraft.


70 years ago today.....'Lest we forget.


Tripp
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/images/buttons/edit.gif

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

A fellow pilot Cary W Salter, I understand was part of that flight flying P51D "Charlotte's Chariot". I'm not sure if Cary has any recall on this but I am advised he was there. Cary is still alive but no longer in good health.
Cary Bailey

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

November 18, 1944:

To remember Bud Emmer's 27th birthday on this day. He was a POW, somewhere in Germany at this time.

Sadly, in the evening of this day, Bud's younger brother, PFC Raymond Phillip Emmer would be killed by enemy mortar fire in the woods just west of Udenbreth, Germany. Ray was a member of a heavy weapons unit of H Company, 2nd Batallion, 394th Infantry Regiment, 99th Division. He was in a foxhole with his buddy, William B. Williams. Ray was buried in Europe and in 1948 the remains of both Emmer boys would be returned to St. Louis and buried with military honors at New Mt. Sinai Cemetery. With the passing of their parents in 1975 the family is together at the family burial plot.

'Lest We Forget.........

Tripp

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

February 17, 1945:

To quietly remember, February 15, 1945....70 years ago when Bud Emmer took his last mortal breaths in the arms of fellow POW ("kriegefangen") F/O Leonard A. Walker, RAAF as they awaited transport from the German transit camp, Dulag Luft Wetzlar.

Capt. Wallace N. Emmer, USAAF had been badly burned six months earlier when his P-51D was hit by a burst of 88mm German AAA fire. His condition was somewhat improved and he was being transferred to permanent hospital. This chance encounter of an Aussie and a Yank will be remembered in 2015 as family members meet again to reflect and remember these two Allied servicemen, these two brothers-in-arms.

Thank you, Len. Thank you, Bud.


Tripp

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

A memory of that day 71 years ago 9 Aug 44 when Bud awoke that morning and watched his tentmate and best friend, Maj. Don M. Beerbower depart to lead the morning mission of the 353FS as its CO.....he would not return .....shot down and killed over a German airfield by accurate ground fire on a 2nd pass.

Bud was shocked and wanted revenge, but his orders were to lead the afternoon mission as RED ONE on an armed recce sweep to a different area. With no intercepts the formation headed back to RIPSAW (ALG 2 near Criqueville, France). At approx 11,000ft a lucky 88mm burst caught Bud's fuselage tank and his stricken a/c suffered an explosion and fire. Bud was burned in the cockpit but managed to bail out (Lt. Ted Sedvert reported seeing a parachute). Bud's wingman on this mission was new pilot Jack Miller who did not know that Bud had bailed out. Jack followed FT-G "ARSON'S REWARD" as it spiraled down in flames.

That's how it was.....9 Aug 44. 'Lest We Forget


Tripp

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

To remember Bud Emmer's 27th birthday on this day. No birthday cake for Bud. He was still recovering from burns suffered in the explosion of his P-51D FT-G "Arson's Reward" on 9 Aug 44. Now he was a POW, somewhere in Germany.

Sadly, in the evening of this day, Bud's younger brother, PFC Raymond Phillip Emmer would be killed by enemy mortar fire in the woods just west of Udenbreth, Germany. Ray was a member of a heavy weapons unit of H Company, 2nd Batallion, 394th Infantry Regiment, 99th Division, in Omar Bradley's First Army. He was in a foxhole with his buddy, William B. Williams and was desperately upset because a letter had arrived from his mother telling him that Bud had been shot down---Ray believed that his older brother was dead. Ray was buried in Europe and in 1948 the remains of both Emmer boys would be returned to St. Louis by their father and buried with military honors at New Mt. Sinai Cemetery. With the passing of their parents in Oct. 1975 the family is together at the family burial plot.

'Lest We Forget.........

Tripp

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

To remember this sad day, with reverence & respect, when Capt. Wallace N. "Bud" Emmer, USAAF died at Dulag Luft Wetzlar, POW camp in Germany. He was leaving the camp on his way to the hospital in Hohemark when an air raid took place. It was at this moment that Bud, in the company of RAF Bomber Command Halifax navigator Leonard A. Walker, succumbed to myocarditis in his weakened conditions from the burns he received in the explosion of his P-51D "Arson's Reward" FT-G near Rouen, France. A lucky 88mm round caught RED ONE (attack element leader) just after they had changed altitude.

Len Walker always remembered the unknown "kriege" who died in his arms and the Emmer family had been looking for him for many years (since 1991). We are grateful for locating Len's dear daughter Tiana who has been very helpful to us in researching the events of this day....71 years ago. The only way that we could confirm the connection was the letter from Sr. Allied POW Col. Charles W. Stark, USAAF who wrote to Bud's parents on Feb. 18, 1945 to relay details of Bud's passing.

Remembering Bud & Len....comrades in arms. 'Lest We Forget......

Tripp

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

Remembering once again this day 72 years ago when Bud's Mustang FT-G "Arson's Reward" was hit by groundfire from a German 88mm AA gun. He
got out of his burning P-51 and parachuted to safety but was badly burned on the legs & arms in the explosion of his fuselage fuel tank.

Bud was captured and moved from camp to camp.

Remembering, with sadness the loss to his parents Blanche & Viv Emmer.
Honoring their sacrifice...the loss of both of their sons in WWII service.

Tripp

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

Remembering, with sadness Nov. 18, 1944. Capt. Wallace N. Emmer, USAAF had been shot down on 9 Aug and was a kriegegefange in a POW camp in Germany. On Nov. 18th, Bud's younger brother, Ray, was with his unit in Germany, just a short distance inside the German-Belgian border in the woods west of the town of Udenbreth.

According to his buddy & trenchmate, William B. Williams, Ray was outside the trench when German mortar shells descended on their 30-cal machine gun position. Ray was hit by shrapnel as a fragment pierced his left thigh. Williams hauled him back into the trench but Ray only gave a brief groan and was gone....in those dark hours in enemy territory....on his brother, Bud's, birthday. A letter from my grandmother to my uncle relayed the word to him while he was also in the air service and the tragedy was confirmed.....

Both boys would be "brought home" later and buried in the family plot in St. Louis.....the parents, Viv and Blanche Emmer lost both of their boys in WWII.......they are still dearly missed by their family.

Tripp

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

We remember with pride Capt. Wallace N. "Bud/Wally" Emmer, USAAF who died on Feb. 15, 1945 in the arms of his fellow POW, Royal Australian Air Force F/O Navigator, Leonard A. Walker, as they were preparing to depart the POW transit camp Dulag Luft Wetzlar, bound for a German hospital. Apparenntly, the concussion from nearby bomb blasts of an Allied raid hastened Capt. Emmer's death from myocarditis.


To remember those days in February, 1945 when the war in the European Theater was moving to a rapid conclusion with Allied forces rapidly advancing towards Berlin from the west and the east. The Battle of the Bulge in SE Belgium was over and the German salient had been flanked and defeated.

Any news reaching the krieges (kriegegefangenen---POWs) in the many Dulags & Stalags, POW camps, was hopeful that they would soon be liberated. Around the time of Feb. 12-14, during an air raid alert at the camp, B-17 ball turret gunner Don Beal from Utah noticed a kriege limping towards the air raid shelter. Beal offered his shoulder to the airman and they got him to a bench to wait out the raid. During that time they talked and the airman talked of going home and looking forward to a turkey dinner with his family. After the "All Clear" signal was given, the two parted ways. A few days later Beal learned that the airman had died while in the process of leaving the camp.....30...40...50 years passed until Beal was in the home of a cousin in Riverside, CA and they were chatting in the cousin's home-office. Photos and mementos from the cousin's military service were displayed on the wall and the two started comparing notes....realizing that both had served in the U.S. Army Air Force. Ed Regis as a P-51 fighter pilot and Don Beal as a B-17 ball turret gunner. They also learned that both had been captured by the Germans and had been in various POW camps. Beal related to Regis how something unusual had occurred near the end of his time in the Dulag.....and he proceeded to tell Regis about encountering the airman, helping him...and then the sadness of hearing how he had died just a few days later while leaving the camp. Regis sat upright and told Beal to go over to the wall and look at the photo (of the 353rd Fighter Squadron at Tonopah NV in July '43).
Regis then said "Do you see that airman?"........

Beal pointed straight at the leader of D Flight......Bud Emmer......and Bud was Ed Regis' flight leader before Ed was captured in April '44.

In the coming months we hope to learn more about Bud's final minutes of life from the records of F/O Leonard A. Walker, courtesy of his daughter, Tiana Adair.


Rest in Peace, Bud----you are missed by your family.


Tripp

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

Remembering this day, August 9, 1944----73 years ago when Bud's P-51D "Arson's Reward" FT-G was hit be accurate AA fire near Rouen, France. He bailed out of his burning aircraft as his wingman, Jack Miller, followed it down. Only a few years ago, when I spoke with Jack, was he finally aware that Bud had gotten out of his a/c and parachuted safely to the ground while suffering burns on his hands and legs from the fire in the cockpit.

Bud was captured and would spend the next six months and six days as a "kriege" before his death at Dulag Luft Wetzlar on 15 Feb 45 during an air raid.

RIP Bud....you are dearly missed.

Tripp and your family

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

One of the wonderful memories from D Flight of the 353FS, the Fighting Cobras!! Just recently, on Feb. 15th we remembered D flt. leader, Wallace "Bud" Emmer, who died 75 years ago at Dulag Luft Wetzlar.

Also, we found the son of SSgt Fred Borst, the groundcrew of the 353FS who painted many of the noseart for the squadron's a/c. I sent messages to the son, but never received a reply. Has anyone encountered the son of 353FS groundcrew Fred Borst? There are many families of the 353FS that would love to see more info about the noseart painted by Fred Borst. Any help appreciated!!
Tripp