CUMBERLAND COUNTY
MEDAL OF HONOR MEMORIAL
Jay Zeamer, Jr.
Major, U.S. Army Air Corps
65th Bombardment Squadron
43d Bombardment Group
World War II
Date of Action: 16 June 1943
Place of Action: over Buka Area, Solomon Islands
Date of Issue: 4 January 1944
Entered Service At: Machias, ME
Born: 25 July 1918, Carlisle, PA
Died: 22 March 2007, Boothbay Harbour, ME
Buried: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA
Medal of Honor Citation: On 16 June 1943, Maj. Zeamer (then Capt.) volunteered as pilot of a bomber on an important photographic mapping mission covering the formidably defended area in the vicinity of Buka, Solomon Islands. While photographing the Buka airdrome, his crew observed about 20 enemy fighters on the field, many of them taking off. Despite the certainty of a dangerous attack by this strong force, Maj. Zeamer proceeded with his mapping run, even after the enemy attack began. In the ensuing engagement, Maj. Zeamer sustained gunshot wounds in both arms and legs, 1 leg being broken. Despite his injuries, he maneuvered the damaged plane so skillfully that his gunners were able to fight off the enemy during a running fight which lasted 40 minutes. The crew destroyed at least 5 hostile planes, of which Maj. Zeamer himself shot down 1. Although weak from loss of blood, he refused medical aid until the enemy had broken combat. He then turned over the controls, but continued to exercise command despite lapses into unconsciousness, and directed the flight to a base 580 miles away. In this voluntary action, Maj. Zeamer, with superb skill, resolution, and courage, accomplished a mission of great value.
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