Capt.Wallace Emmer 354th Fighter Group

[aaatripp]

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

[aaatripp]

'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

[aaatripp]

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.
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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

[aaatripp]

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

[aaatripp]

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

[aaatripp]

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

[aaatripp]

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

[aaatripp]

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

[aaatripp]

......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

[aaatripp]

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