Wetmore, Ray S. (Raymond Shuey), 1923-1951
Variant namesBiographical notes:
Raymond Shuey "X-Ray Eyes" Wetmore (September 30, 1923 – February 14, 1951) was a quadruple ace of United States Army Air Forces over Europe during World War II.
Ray Wetmore enlisted aged 18 in 1941, he was commissioned in March 1943 and joined the 359th Fighter Group. He became top aerial combat Ace of the 359th Fighter Group, scoring 21 victories, his final kill was an ME 163 jet. During the Battle of the Bulge, December 1944- January 1945, Wetmore was hit by friendly fire and his aircraft was set alight. When his wingman Lieutenant John F McAlevey alerted him to the fire, Wetmore extinguished the blaze with a nose dive and returned home safely. He completed 142 missions and totaled 563 combat hours.
Following the War, Wetmore was promoted to Major and commanded the 59th Fighter Intercept Squadron at Otis Air Force Base. He died in a freak flying accident in an F-86 on 14 February 1951. Wetmore was on a routine trip when his aircraft suddenly shot skyward, he was unable to eject as the plane began to crash and was killed instantly.
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Information
Subjects:
- Aerial combat
- Air pilots
- World War II
- World War II, 1939-1945
Occupations:
- Aircraft pilots
- Airforce officers
- Airforce personnel
- Airmen
- Lieutenant Colonel
- Military personnel
Places:
- Sandwich, MA, US
- California, CA, US
