Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

Hi Rick,

Great to hear from you about a new photo. Can you tell me more about the P-51D belly landing photo? I've never seen nor heard about this situation. Is this photo available online? Do you know of any other photos of Bud (as he was called by the family) Emmer or his planes?

I will be happy to post the two photos, but there will be a delay as they are currently on an inactive computer and I must transfer to currently active unit. Thanks.

Tripp

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

Sorry I don't have a copy of the photo because it was in the 354 FG book printed after the war that I had about 7 years ago .
Sold the book because it was a reprint and photo's were fuzzy plus you couldn't see the nose art other markings very well on this photo(on my copy).
Maybe someone has a frist edition.
Thank you for reply on the photos.I can wait no problem.
It is amazing very little is known about Capt. Emmer so you helped a lot.
Thanks again.
Rick

To 354 FG's specialists
 

Hello,

I search specifical information concerning an escort mission of 354th FG dated 1st August 1944 in Angers area, West of France. Could I contact a 354 FG's expert on this subject with a private message ?

Thanks in advance

Pierre Babin

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

Hello Babin,

You might try contacting the U.S. Air Force Historical Research Agency directly as they have many of the group and squadron histories. Their website URL is: http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/ I have one of their pages
which tells of all the group's missions on 9 Aug 44.

The 354FG website is being further developed and soon you should be able to post questions for the veterans to answer directly. The 354FG website URL is: 354thpmfg.com.

Best wishes,

Tripp Alyn

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

For rpeck350, Tom Semenza, Flugplatz Giessen, Leendert, shooshoobaby, Babin, Jack Cook, Alain Charpentier and Others:

Hello & Guten Tag! ----finally I have transferred the photos from the old computer to the new one and resized the files to enable attachment on this Forum.

#1 You will note on Bud's P51B (FT-G) that it is not equipped with a Malcolm hood. Photos of Don Beerbower's BONNIE B II (FT-E) are an excellent example of a B-model with the hood. Bud had 6 aerial victories at the time of this photo.

#2 Bud's P51D ARSON'S REWARD is pictured indicating 11 kills & includes the "Victory Stripes" used during and after 6 June 44 (DDay). If you use any of these photos we would appreciate it if you would please credit "Emmer Family Collection" as your original source (thank you, fielen dank).

We are planning a permanent memorial to the Emmer boys in St. Louis, including their medals. The photo from Flugplatz Giessen will be a welcome addition.


Due to your interest in the Emmers I will update you on the latest info:

1. I have confirmed with the cemetery that the remains of both Bud & Ray were returned from Europe after the war and buried in St. Louis. I spoke with a family friend who was a pallbearer for Ray's interment.

2. Military records indicate that Ray was killed by shell fragments from an artillery shell that entered his thigh and severed an artery. Ray went into shock and was found slumped over his B.A.R. near Weissenborn, Germany. (this is a correction to earlier post of Belgium location)

3. Corrections to Jack Cook's posting of 17 Feb 08:

a. Bud Emmer is pictured with 1Lt A.R. Madsen (of Chicago), a combat camerman who was the 2nd person to fly in the back seat of the P-51B "The Stars Look Down" (Gen. Eisenhower was the first).
b. Bud receives his Silver Star from Lt. Gen. Brereton (note 3 stars on his cap).

4. To Rick----found the photo of the belly landing of ARSON'S REWARD. It is at the back of "History in the Sky" compiled by Capt. Arthur F. Brown. It must have been taken within weeks of 9 Aug (when Bud was shot down) due to the # of victories painted on the fuselage. The question would be---was this a/c #44-13948 and was it repaired, or did he receive #44-13948 as a new a/c shortly before he was downed by German a/a fire?

I hope that some of this new info. answers some of the questions which were expressed earlier. Thanks again for your interest. Best wishes.

Tripp

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

Tripp,

Many thanks for posting these two photos! They were well worth the wait. I don't suppose you happen to know the serial number for the B model?

Best regards,
Tom

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

Hi Tripp,
Yes that is the book ,sorry I could not remember the name of the book.
Excellant !!!! photo's,will be a good subject for a model.
Thank you for sharing.
Rick Peck

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

To Rick: If you're considering a model of the P-51D, you will enjoy these websites which both feature ARSON'S REWARD:

http://www.hyperscale.com/galleries/2002/p51dfd_1.htm

http://modelingmadness.com/scotts/de...ro/am48478.htm

I wonder what Bud would say....to know that his Mustang had been selected as a model??


To Tom Semenza: sorry, no info. on Serial # for the B model. One item though. Bud's previous a/c was the PEACEFUL PENGUIN, which he joked was named for a flightless bird.....due to the frequent maintenance problems with his first a/c. Most likely the PP was also a B model, since the first AR was a B model. The end of the PP came following the explosion and subsequent fire while the oxygen unit was being serviced.

You may enjoy this link to two websites:
http://www.cybermodeler.com/history/354fg/353fs.shtml

This website has much 353FS info, such as Don Beerbower's B model BONNIE B II with the Malcolm hood:

http://www.cybermodeler.net/history/...s/53183act.jpg and a great shot of the sqdn. on 29 July 43 at Tonopah, NV for gunnery training before embarking from NJ on the Athlone Castle bound for England

http://www.cybermodeler.net/history/...es/353d_02.jpg

http://www.cybermodeler.net/history/...s/353d_02t.jpg

It should be remembered that the 353FS produced 21 aces (who accounted for 196 aerial victories) and, when you add the additional victories of those with less than 5, the 77 pilots of the Fighting Cobras scored 286.5 kills and contributed heavily to the 701 aerial kills tallied by the 354FG. Please note that the 56FG (1005 1/2) and 4FG (1002) had more total enemy a/c destroyed in the ETO when you add those destroyed on the ground. The 354FG total of 956 places them 3rd in total enemy a/c destroyed in the ETO and you can visit their website at: http://www.354thpmfg.com/

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

Correction:

I re-scanned the AFHRA site for 353FS aerial victories and now have a figure of: 85 pilots, 290.5 victories (instead of 77 pilots, 286 victories).

Any hints on how to lock in the correct # ?

Tripp

Re: Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group
 

I you want the toal air list by pilot and complete ground kill list drop me a email. BTW Beerbower and Emmer had 3-0-1 ground credits.