United States Air Medal presented to Thomas Weems; bronze 16 point sunburst with relief of an eagle with lightning bolts in its talons diving; blue silk ribbon with two vertical gold stripes.
Summary:
The American Air Medal is awarded to members of the armed forces for heroic action or meritorious service during an aerial flight.
This medal was presented to Dr. Thomas N. Weems for action during the Battle of Midway on June 4 1942.. He served as a navigator on the Martin B-26 Marauder “Winsockie” of 69th Bombardment Squadron. The “Winsockie” was one of the two B-26s of the 69th Bombardment Squadron assigned to Midway Island in June 1942. Equipped with an improvised torpedo bracket, the “Winsockie” along with 4 other B-26s from the 18th Reconnaissance Squadron were the first American aircraft to attack the Japanese carrier fleet on the morning June 4, 1942. Only two of these aircraft returned from the mission. Although the attack was unsuccessful, it was crucial in convincing Adm. Nugumo, to re-arm the Japanese aircraft with torpedoes and armor piercing bombs to contact bombs for a second strike on Midway Island. This decision provided the United States Navy the pivotal time that allowed its carrier aircraft to strike and sink the Japanese aircraft carriers later on morning of June 4, 1942.
Credit Line:
Donated by the families of Rebecca E. Weems, Ph.D., George Halton Weems, and Philip N. Weems
