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