USAAF
5th AF
43rd BG
65th BS
Pilot History
Pilot Zeamer Captain Jay Zeamer, Jr. born in Carlisle, PA and grew up in Orange, N.J. He studied at MIT and earned bachelor's and master's degrees in engineering. Zeamer flew 47 combat mission. After the harrowing June 16, 1943 mission, he recovered in the hospital and in January 1945 retired for disability resulting from his combat wounds. After the war, Zeamer worked at Pratt & Whitney in Hartford, CT, before moving on to Hughes Aircraft in Los Angeles and then Raytheon Co. in Bedford, Mass. He retired in 1968 to Boothbay Harbor, Maine and passed away in March 2007.
Aircraft History
This B-17E had been field modified with a nose mounted machine gun that the pilot could fire from the cockpit control column.
Mission History
On June 16, 1943, this B-17 took off from Port Moresby on a solo mission, piloted by Captain Jay Zeamer, Jr. Its mission was to photograph Buka and Japanese installations and then map the west coast of Bougainville as far south as Empress Augusta Bay in preparation for the Allied landings that were scheduled for late October or early November. It was hoped clear photos could be taken to prepare detailed charts for the invasion force.
Over Buka, they observed approximately 22 enemy fighters taking off from Buka Airfield. Next, the B-17 began its photographic run over Bougainville, and was approaching the end when it was attacked head on by fighters. The head-on attack knocked out the B-17's oxygen and hydraulic systems and all flight instruments.
Bombardier 2/Lt Joseph R. Sarnoski, O-888520 was wounded in the initial attack, but continued to fire the nose machine gun and claimed two enemy fighters. A 20mm round exploded in the nose wounding Sarnoski, who returned to his gun and continued to fire until he died at his station.
Zeamer, with a broken leg and multiple deep lacerations, put the bomber into an almost vertical dive from 25,000 feet to about 10,000 feet. He could judge his altitude only by the increase in engine manifold pressure. As he leveled off, an estimated 17 enemy fighters resumed the attack from all quarters, staying with the B-17 for 45 minutes until they ran low on fuel. During the running battle in which Zeamer saved the B-17 by taking violent evasive action, his crew shot down two fighters and probably downed another two.
Although weak from pain and loss of blood, Zeamer refused medical aid and remained at the controls until the enemy fighters had left. He assessed the condition of the bomber, decided it could not make it over New Guinea's Owen Stanley Mountains, and directed his co-pilot to land at Dobodura. With no brakes or flaps, the B-17 ground-looped to a stop with one dead and six wounded aboard. Only the co-pilot and two gunners escaped injury.
Five crew members including the pilot were wounded and Sarnoski was killed during the engagement. Captian Jay Zeamer and 2/Lt Joseph R. Sarnoski both earned the Medal of Honor, while the remainder of the crew earned the Distinguished Service Cross for this mission.
Later assigned to the 435th BS and 8th PRS. Returned to the US in February, 1944.
Memorials
Sarnoski is buried at Honolulu
References
Thanks to Daniel Leahy for additional crew details.
B-17
Zeamer
Sarnoski
Zeamer Obituary
Zeamer Article
