World War II Honoree

Raymond Shuey Wetmore

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Kerman, Arizona

Honored By

Blue Van Dyke

Relationship

Grandson

He enlisted in the Army in November 1941 at age 18 and entered pilot training eight months later. Upon commissioning in March 1943, he joined the new 359th Fighter Group which was sent to England in October that year. Flying with the 370th Fighter Squadron, in February and March 1944, he scored his first victories flying the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt. Upon conversion to P-51 Mustangs, the group ranged farther afield and he became an ace with a double victory on May 19, downing two Me-109 aircraft. Upon return from leave in the U.S., he scored steadily from November 1944 to January 1945. In that period he downed 12 more enemy fighters. on January 14th, His final victory was a rocket powered Me-163 on March 15. His decorations included two Distinguished Service Crosses, two Silver Stars, six Distinguished Flying Crosses, twelve Air Medals, as well as foreign decorations from France and Belgium.