Walter E. Truemper

He stayed aboard a damaged bomber to save its wounded pilot.

Walter Edward Truemper earned the Medal of Honor for his actions during a bombing mission over Europe on February 20, 1944. A second lieutenant and navigator in the 510th Bombardment Squadron, 351st Bombardment Group, he helped bring a severely damaged aircraft back to its home station after enemy fighters incapacitated the pilots.

Before joining the Army in June 1942, he attended business college and worked as an accounting clerk. Following initial artillery service, he entered aviation training and was commissioned in August 1943. He trained as a navigator, served with the 796th Bombardment Squadron and left the United States for England in December 1943. He joined the 510th Bombardment Squadron in January 1944; the February action was his second and final combat mission.

Truemper and the flight engineer remained aboard to attempt a landing. They refused to abandon the unconscious pilot, who could not be moved. After two unsuccessful approaches, the aircraft crashed on the third attempt, killing all three men.

Born in Aurora, Illinois, on October 31, 1918, Truemper received the medal posthumously. His mother received it on July 4, 1944. He was buried at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery in Montgomery, Illinois.

Medal of Honor citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the 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 his crew managed to right the plane and fly it back to their home station, where they contacted the control tower and reported the situation. Second 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 two unsuccessful efforts their plane crashed into an open field in a third attempt to land. Second Lt. Truemper, the engineer, and the wounded pilot were killed.