Medal of Honor – 2LT. William Metzger

William Metzger enlisted at Toledo, Ohio, Oct. 5, 1942, & served at Camp Perry, Ohio, & Camp Young, Calif., with ordnance battalions before becoming an aviation cadet in March 1943. He trained at Santa Ana, Calif., Twentynine Palms & Lancaster, Calif, & Douglas, Ariz., getting his wings & appointment as a Flight Officer in March 1944. He served at Kingman Air Field, Ariz., & Rapid City Air Base, S.D.

He was commissioned a second lieutenant in August 1944 & two months later went to England for B-17 co-pilot duties with the 8th Air Force’s 452nd Bomb Group. His plane was shot up & some of the crew members injured on Nov. 9 during a bombing run on the marshalling yards at Saarbrucken, Germany. Lieutenant Metzger & the pilot, First Lt. Donald J. Gott, elected to try to get the bomber & the injured men back to base after completing the bomb run in the face of intense fire. For this heroic action, in which both men lost their lives, Lieutenant Metzger was awarded the Medal of Honour, as was Lieutenant Gott. The citation for Metzger reads, in part: “…Something had to be done to save the life of the wounded radio operator. The lack of a static line & the thought that his unconscious body striking the ground in unknown territory would not bring immediate medical attention forced a quick decision. Lieutenant Metzger & his pilot decided to fly the flaming aircraft to friendly territory & then attempt to crash-l&. With only one normally functioning engine & with the danger of explosion much greater, the aircraft banked into an open field, & when it was at an altitude of 100 feet it exploded, crashed, exploded again, & then disintegrated. All three crew members who remained on board were instantly killed. Lieutenant Metzger’s loyalty to the crew, his determination to accomplish the task set forth to him, & his deed of knowingly performing what may have been his last service to his country were an example of valour at its highest.”

MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION For conspicuous gallantry in action & intrepidity at the risk of his life above & beyond the call of duty. On a bombing run upon the marshalling yards at Saarbrucken, Germany, on 9 November 1944, a B17 aircraft on which 2d Lt. Metzger was serving as co-pilot was  seriously damaged by antiaircraft fire. Three of the aircraft’s engines were damaged beyond control & on fire; dangerous flames from the No. 4 engine were leaping back as far as the tail assembly. Flares in the cockpit were ignited & a fire roared therein which was further increased by free-flowing fluid from damaged hydraulic lines. The interphone system was rendered useless. In addition to these serious mechanical difficulties the engineer was wounded in the leg & the radio operator’s arm was severed below the elbow. Suffering from intense pain, despite the application of a tourniquet, the radio operator fell unconscious. Faced with the imminent     explosion of his aircraft & death to his entire crew, mere seconds before bombs away on the target, 2d Lt. Metzger & his pilot conferred. Something had to be done immediately to save the life of the wounded radio operator. The lack of a static line & the thought that his unconscious body striking the ground in unknown territory would not bring immediate medical attention forced a quick decision. 2d Lt. Metzger & his pilot decided to fly the flaming aircraft to friendly territory & then attempt to crash l&. Bombs were released on the target & the crippled aircraft proceeded along to Allied-controlled territory. When that had been reached 2d Lt. Metzger personally informed all crewmembers to bail out upon the suggestion of the pilot. 2d Lt. Metzger chose to remain with the pilot for the crash landing in order to assist him in this emergency. With only 1 normally functioning engine & with the danger of explosion much greater, the aircraft banked into an open field, & when it was at an altitude of 100 feet it exploded, crashed, exploded again, & then disintegrated. All 3 crewmembers were instantly killed. 2d Lt. Metzger’s loyalty to his crew, his determination to accomplish the task set forth to him, & his deed of knowingly performing what may have been his last service to his country was an example of valour at its highest.

Article Courtesy of USAF