FEMOYER, ROBERT E. - Medal of Honor Recipient
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. Birth: 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.
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