Robert Edward Femoyer
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| Robert Edward Femoyer | |
|---|---|
| October 31, 1921 - November 2, 1944 | |
| Place of birth | Huntington, West Virginia |
| Place of death | KIA over Merseburg, Germany |
| Allegiance | USAAF |
| Rank | Second Lieutenant |
| Unit | 711th Bombing Squadron, 447th Bomber Group |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
| Other work | Eagle Scout |
Robert Edward Femoyer (October 31, 1921 – November 2, 1944) is one of only four known Eagle Scouts who also received the Medal of Honor. The others are Aquilla J. Dyess, Eugene B. Fluckey, and Mitchell Paige.
Femoyer was from Huntington, West Virginia, an Eagle Scout and a graduate of Virginia Tech, Class of 1944.
During World War II he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces, and is the only navigator awarded the Medal of Honor. On a bombing mission over Merseburg, Germany, he was wounded by enemy aircraft fire, which seriously damaged his B-17 bomber. In spite of extreme pain and great loss of blood he refused morphine in order to keep his mental faculties clear. For two and half-hours he guided the lone bomber through six changes in course around enemy antiaircraft concentrations. Bleeding steadily, he worked with amazing clarity despite pain described as "almost beyond the realm of human endurance". As the crippled aircraft crossed safely over the English Channel, Second Lieutenant Robert Femoyer finally allowed an injection of morphine. Thirty minutes after landing he died of wounds. Femoyer was serving with the 711th Bombing Squadron, 447th Bomber Group, Army Air Forces.
[edit] Medal of Honor 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.
