Douglas Herbert Cramer
Second Lieutenant
Douglas Herbert Cramer
Hometown
Date of Birth
Location of Death
Date of Death
Location of Burial
More About Second Lieutenant Cramer
Douglas H. Cramer was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in March 1943 at Kirtland Field in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
He went overseas with the 598th Bombardment Squadron in February 1944 and flew missions as a navigator on B-26 Marauder bombers. He was awarded five Air Medals. On Aug. 1, 1944, 2nd Lieutenant Cramer was the replacement navigator for the crew of B-26G "By Golly" when they were attacked by a German Me-109 fighter.
The pilot kept the plane steady while the crew bailed out. 2nd Lieutenant Cramer's parachute was burned by the fire, and he lost consciousness from asphyxia before he could bail.
The pilot, Captain John Q. West Jr., attempted to save Cramer's life by making an emergency landing, but the B-26 exploded in midair before he was able to touch down. Captain West and 2nd Lieutenant Cramer were the only crewmembers of the "By Golly" who died on that mission. A memorial to their sacrifice stands in France today.
2nd Lieutenant Cramer is buried at Forest Hill Cemetery in Madison, Wisconsin.