"On a bombing run upon the marshaling yards at Saarbrücken, Germany, on 9
November 1944, a B17 aircraft on which 2d Lt. Metzger was serving as
copilot was seriously damaged by antiaircraft fire.
Three of the aircraft's engines were damaged beyond control and on
fire; dangerous flames from the No. 4 engine were leaping back as far as
the tail assembly. Flares in the cockpit were ignited and 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 and
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 and death to his entire crew, mere seconds before bombs
away on the target, 2d Lt. Metzger and his pilot conferred. Something
had to be done immediately to save the life of the wounded radio
operator. The lack of a static line
and 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 and his pilot decided to fly the flaming
aircraft to friendly territory and then attempt to crash land. Bombs
were released on the target and 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 and with the danger of explosion much greater, the
aircraft banked into an open field, and when it was at an altitude of
100 feet it exploded, crashed, exploded again, and 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, and
his deed of knowingly performing what may have been his last service to
his country was an example of valor at its highest."
From 2d Lt. Metzger Jr.'s Medal of Honor citation, awarded on May 16, 1945.
May you be at peace,
Brian & Mel
Memorial in Lima, Ohio.
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