World War II Honoree

Philip Edward Creamer

Hometown

Eastport, Maine

Honored By

Glenn Edward Creamer

Relationship

Son

SERVED AS A CITIZEN VOLUNTEER IN THE AIRCRAFT WARNING SERVICE UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE U.S. ARMY AIR FORCE. HIS DUTY WAS THAT OF A GROUND OBSERVER ALONG COASTAL WASHINGTON COUNTY, MAINE. SERVED 1942 TO MAY 1944, BETWEEN THE AGES OF 10-12. THE OBSERVATION POST IN EASTPORT WAS A LOCAL PROMONTORY KNOWN AS 'THE BATTERY' (18TH AND 19TH CENTURY SITE OF FORT SULLIVAN). HE AND HIS FRIEND (AND CO-SPOTTER), PAUL BOWDEN, SAW A GERMAN FOCKE WULF FW200 'CONDOR' FLY OVER EASTPORT IN A WESTERLY DIRECTION TOWARDS THE INTERIOR DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS. ITS ALTITUDE WAS VERY HIGH. THIS WAS EITHER THE SUMMER OF 1942 OR 1943. PHILIP MADE THE OFFICIAL CALL. SIX TO EIGHT MONTHS LATER, A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE WAR DEPARTMENT, DRESSED IN CIVILIAN ATTIRE, HAD PHILIP AND PAUL SUMMONED TO THE PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE AT EASTPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. THERE HE TOLD PHILIP AND PAUL THAT THEY HAD POSITIVELY IDENTIFIED THE PLANE AS A 'CONDOR.' THE REPRESENTATIVE WENT ON TO SAY THAT IT HAD BEEN SHOT DOWN, KILLING IT'S PILOT AND CO-PILOT. A NUMBER OF PARACHUTISTS HAD SUCCESSFULLY JUMPED PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THEY WERE ALL CAPTURED AND DECLARED SPIES. INSPECTION OF THE 'CONDOR' WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT THE FUSELAGE HAD BEEN STRIPPED OF ITS REGULAR EQUIPMENT AND FITTED WITH EXTRA FUEL TANKS. THE WAR DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVE REMINDED THE BOYS OF THEIR OBLIGATION TO SILENCE ABOUT THE MATTER IN THE INTEREST OF NATIONAL SECURITY.