[aaatripp]

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