Scrappy Blumer
Laurence Elroy Blumer | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Nickname(s) | "Larry", "Scrappy" |
| Born | May 31, 1917 Walcott, North Dakota, U.S. |
| Died | October 23, 1997 (aged 80) Springfield, Oregon, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | United States Army Air Forces |
| Years of service | 1942–1946 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Commands held | 393rd Fighter Squadron |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross Silver Star Distinguished Flying Cross Purple Heart Air Medal (23) Croix de guerre (Belgium)[1] |
| Other work | Contractor & commemorative pilot |
Laurence Elroy "Scrappy" Blumer (May 31, 1917 – October 23, 1997) was an American
Early life
Blumer was born in
World War II
Blumer learned to fly whilst in Washington, and on March 23, 1942, enlisted in the
The 367th sailed from New York City in late March 1944 aboard the
The 367th was heavily engaged in operations before and after the Normandy landings, and Blumer had his fair share of incidents. His aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire over France, and he was forced to make a belly landing back in England, wrecking it. On July 4, while attacking a train, his aircraft clipped a telephone pole, losing four feet off the port wing and knocking out one engine. He managed to nurse his aircraft back to England, only discovering on landing the 300 yards of telephone line he had brought back with him. On another occasion he was shot down over enemy territory, but evaded capture and made his way back to the British front lines.[2]
Early on August 25, the 367th Fighter Group bombed three German airfields in western France. After the attack the 394th Squadron reported being attacked by around thirty Fw 190s. The 394th shot down eight German aircraft for the loss of six of their own before the 392nd and 393rd Squadrons arrived in support.[3] Blumer, leading the 393rd, shot down two enemy aircraft in his first pass, going on to shoot down three more within fifteen minutes, before the Germans finally broke off their attack. This action earned him the title "Fastest Ace in a Day", and the award of the Distinguished Service Cross.[4] In the course of the battle a total of 25 German aircraft were shot down, one probably destroyed, and 17 damaged. Two pilots of the 367th were killed, and four others bailed out.[3]
Blumer was appointed the Commanding Officer the 393rd Squadron on November 10,[5] and shot down his sixth enemy aircraft on November 19.[2] He completed his combat tour in mid-January 1945,[5] having flown 120 combat missions, and returned to the United States to serve as an instructor at Marysville.[2]
Blumer was discharged on September 17, 1946.[2] For his wartime service he had been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 22 Oak leaf clusters, and 24 other decorations.[2]
Post-war and later life
After the war, Blumer started a home construction business in
Blumer died of leukemia on October 23, 1997, in Springfield, Oregon.[2] He is buried at Woodbine Cemetery in Puyallup, Washington.
Awards and decorations
His awards include:[7]
|
Army Air Forces Pilot Badge |
|
Distinguished Service Cross |
|
Silver Star |
|
Distinguished Flying Cross |
|
Purple Heart |
  |
Air Medal with four silver oak leaf clusters |
 |
Air Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster (second ribbon required for accouterment spacing) |
|
Croix de Guerre with Palm (Belgium)
|
References
- ^ "Laurence Elroy Blumer". American Air Museum in Britain. Imperial War Museums. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
- ^ Bismarck Tribune. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
- ^ a b c "Lightning and Thunderbolts of the 367th". FlightSim.com. October 22, 2002. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
- ^ "Valor awards for Laurence E. Blumer". Military Times. 2015. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
- ^ a b "The North Dakota Air National Guard – "The Happy Hooligans"" (PDF). North Dakota Legislative Branch. Bismarck. January 16, 2007. p. 158. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
- ^ "P-38 Lightning/44-26961". Warbirds Resource Group. 2011. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
- ^ "Laurence Elroy Blumer". American Air Museum in Britain. Imperial War Museums. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
External links
- "Photograph of Blumer and "Scrap Iron IV"". oocities.org. 2009. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
- "Lawrence E. Blumer". U.S.A.A.F. Resource Center. 2014. Retrieved March 16, 2015.