Medal of Honor: Walter E. Truemper – U.S. Army Air Corps – World War II

Name: Walter E. Truemper
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Branch: U.S. Army Air Corps
Unit: 510th Bomber Squadron, 351st Bomber Group
Place: Over Europe
Entered Service At: Aurora, Illinois
Born: 31 October 1918, Aurora, Illinois

Summary of Action

On 20 February 1944, 2d Lt. Walter E. Truemper was serving as navigator aboard a B-17 bomber during a heavy bombardment mission over enemy-occupied Europe. The aircraft came under fierce attack by a squadron of enemy fighters.

The copilot was killed instantly. The pilot was gravely wounded and rendered unconscious. The radio operator was wounded. The aircraft itself was severely damaged.

Despite the chaos and destruction, Truemper and the remaining crew managed to regain control of the crippled bomber and turn it toward England. After contacting their home station and reporting their dire condition, it became clear that the unconscious pilot could not be moved.

2d Lt. Truemper and the engineer volunteered to land the aircraft themselves. The remaining crew members were ordered to parachute to safety, leaving the two men aboard with the wounded pilot.

Observing the damaged aircraft from another plane, Truemper’s commanding officer determined that the inexperienced crew could not safely land the bomber and ordered them to abandon it. Truemper and the engineer replied that the pilot was still alive but could not be evacuated—and they would not desert him.

Granted permission to attempt the landing, they made two unsuccessful attempts. On the third effort, the aircraft crashed into an open field.

2d Lt. Truemper, the engineer, and the wounded pilot were killed.

His refusal to abandon a helpless comrade, even when given the chance to save himself, stands as a profound testament to loyalty, courage, and sacrifice.

Medal of Honor Citation

TRUEMPER, WALTER E. (Air Mission)

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy in connection with a bombing mission over enemy-occupied Europe on 20 February 1944. The aircraft on which 2d Lt. Truemper was serving as navigator was attacked by a squadron of enemy fighters with the result that the copilot was killed outright, the pilot wounded and rendered unconscious, the radio operator wounded and the plane severely damaged. Nevertheless, 2d Lt. Truemper and other members of the crew managed to right the plane and fly it back to their home station, where they contacted the control tower and reported the situation. 2d Lt. Truemper and the engineer volunteered to attempt to land the plane. Other members of the crew were ordered to jump, leaving 2d Lt. Truemper and the engineer aboard. After observing the distressed aircraft from another plane, 2d Lt. Truemper’s commanding officer decided the damaged plane could not be landed by the inexperienced crew and ordered them to abandon it and parachute to safety. Demonstrating unsurpassed courage and heroism, 2d Lt. Truemper and the engineer replied that the pilot was still alive but could not be moved and that they would not desert him. They were then told to attempt a landing. After 2 unsuccessful efforts their plane crashed into an open field in a third attempt to land. 2d Lt. Truemper, the engineer, and the wounded pilot were killed.