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Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Army Air Corps. Place and date: Over
Buka area, Solomon Islands, 16 June 1943. Entered service at: Machias,
Maine. Birth: Carlisle, Pa. G.O. No.: 1, 4 January 1944. 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.
This data was extracted from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, U.S. Senate, Medal of Honor Recipients: 1863-1973 (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1973)
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