MEDHURST & CO.
Fine Images and Documents
Email: medhurstmd@aol.com
Phone: 913-851-8462
Fine Images and Documents
Email: medhurstmd@aol.com
Phone: 913-851-8462
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13378 CMOH Jay Zeamer and Joseph Raymond Sarnoski Rare War date
autographs of the only instance of World War II when two members of one crew
were honored for separate acts of heroism in the same combat engagement. Jay
Zeamer's remarkable crew was the most highly-decorated aircrew in history.
Sarnoski 3 ¾” ¾” and Zeamer 4 ½” X 1 ¾” Tape on the edges. $850
On June 16, 1943, Sarnoski, normally a bombardier, volunteered to fly as one of the
crew of B-17E 41-2666 Old 666 on an unescorted mission to Buka, a small island off
the north coast of Bougainville, a 1200-mile round-trip mission, to photograph
Japanese installations and map the west coast of Bougainville as far south as
Empress Augusta Bay in preparation for Allied landings scheduled for early
November 1943 in World War II. Apparently unbeknownst to Allied intelligence,
the Japanese had moved about 400 fighters into the Solomon Islands on June 15.
The photo reconnaissance mission was without incident, although the B-17's crew
reported observing 20 fighters taking off from Buka airfield. The bomber continued
south to the mapping run and shortly before its completion, the B-17 was intercepted
by five Japanese fighters attacking from the front. Though wounded in the attack,
Sarnoski continued to fire his nose gun, shooting down two fighters. A 20-millimeter
cannon shell exploded in the nose compartment of the B-17, severely wounding
Sarnoski and knocking him completely out of the compartment. Sarnoski dragged
himself back to his station and continued to fire until he died at his position.
The B-17 eventually landed successfully in New Guinea after Sarnoski's death. Jay
Zeamer, Jr. was also awarded the Medal of Honor, the only instance of World War
II when two members of one crew were honored for separate acts of heroism in the
same combat engagement.
This mission has been recreated by The History Channel as part of Episode 12 of its
series Dogfights, "Long Odds", first telecast January 19, 2007.
http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=12571
autographs of the only instance of World War II when two members of one crew
were honored for separate acts of heroism in the same combat engagement. Jay
Zeamer's remarkable crew was the most highly-decorated aircrew in history.
Sarnoski 3 ¾” ¾” and Zeamer 4 ½” X 1 ¾” Tape on the edges. $850
On June 16, 1943, Sarnoski, normally a bombardier, volunteered to fly as one of the
crew of B-17E 41-2666 Old 666 on an unescorted mission to Buka, a small island off
the north coast of Bougainville, a 1200-mile round-trip mission, to photograph
Japanese installations and map the west coast of Bougainville as far south as
Empress Augusta Bay in preparation for Allied landings scheduled for early
November 1943 in World War II. Apparently unbeknownst to Allied intelligence,
the Japanese had moved about 400 fighters into the Solomon Islands on June 15.
The photo reconnaissance mission was without incident, although the B-17's crew
reported observing 20 fighters taking off from Buka airfield. The bomber continued
south to the mapping run and shortly before its completion, the B-17 was intercepted
by five Japanese fighters attacking from the front. Though wounded in the attack,
Sarnoski continued to fire his nose gun, shooting down two fighters. A 20-millimeter
cannon shell exploded in the nose compartment of the B-17, severely wounding
Sarnoski and knocking him completely out of the compartment. Sarnoski dragged
himself back to his station and continued to fire until he died at his position.
The B-17 eventually landed successfully in New Guinea after Sarnoski's death. Jay
Zeamer, Jr. was also awarded the Medal of Honor, the only instance of World War
II when two members of one crew were honored for separate acts of heroism in the
same combat engagement.
This mission has been recreated by The History Channel as part of Episode 12 of its
series Dogfights, "Long Odds", first telecast January 19, 2007.
http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=12571