Medal of Honor: Robert E. Femoyer – World War II (Air Mission) – November 2, 1944

Name: Robert E. Femoyer
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Branch: U.S. Army Air Corps
Unit: 711th Bomb Squadron, 447th Bomb Group
Born: October 31, 1921, Huntington, West Virginia
Entered Service At: Jacksonville, Florida

Summary of Action

On November 2, 1944, during a bombing mission over Merseburg, Germany, Second Lieutenant Robert Femoyer, serving as navigator aboard a B-17 Flying Fortress, was struck by enemy anti-aircraft fire that ripped through the fuselage. Three direct hits rocked the bomber — the aircraft was torn apart, and Femoyer himself was gravely wounded in the back and side.

Despite his injuries and heavy blood loss, he refused morphine, knowing that it would cloud his mind. Determined to keep his senses sharp, he ordered his crewmates to prop him up so he could see his charts and instruments. For the next two and a half hours, through pain that would have rendered most unconscious, he calmly navigated the damaged aircraft through flak-filled skies, avoiding further enemy fire and plotting a safe course home.

Only after the plane reached friendly airspace over the English Channel did Femoyer finally agree to a sedative. Moments later, after ensuring his crew was safe, he lost consciousness and succumbed to his wounds shortly after landing. His courage, clarity, and selfless leadership under unimaginable suffering ensured that every man aboard lived to tell the tale.

Medal of Honor Citation

FEMOYER, ROBERT E. (Air Mission)
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, 711th Bombing Squadron, 447th Bomber Group, U.S. Army Air Corps.
Place and date: Over Merseburg, Germany, 2 November 1944.
Entered service at: Jacksonville, Fla.
Born: 31 October 1921, Huntington, W. Va.
G.O. No.: 35, 9 May 1945.

Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty near Merseburg, Germany, on 2 November 1944. While on a mission, the bomber, of which 2d Lt. Femoyer was the navigator, was struck by 3 enemy antiaircraft shells. The plane suffered serious damage and 2d Lt. Femoyer was severely wounded in the side and back by shell fragments which penetrated his body. In spite of extreme pain and great loss of blood he refused an offered injection of morphine. He was determined to keep his mental faculties clear in order that he might direct his plane out of danger and so save his comrades. Not being able to arise from the floor, he asked to be propped up in order to enable him to see his charts and instruments. He successfully directed the navigation of his lone bomber for 2 1/2 hours so well it avoided enemy flak and returned to the field without further damage. Only when the plane had arrived in the safe area over the English Channel did he feel that he had accomplished his objective; then, and only then, he permitted an injection of a sedative. He died shortly after being removed from the plane. The heroism and self-sacrifice of 2d Lt. Femoyer are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.