Wetmore, Ray S. (Raymond Shuey), 1923-1951

Variant names

Hide Profile

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.

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Records of the National Archives and Records Administration, 1789 - ca. 2007. Award Cards, 1942 - 1963. Air Force Award Cards [Distinguished Flying Cross]: Welander, Herbert - White, Peter. National Archives at St. Louis
referencedIn Records of the National Archives and Records Administration, 1789 - ca. 2007. Award Cards, 1942 - 1963. Air Force Award Cards [Air Medal]: Westbrook, Robert - Whitaker, Wilson. National Archives at St. Louis
referencedIn Records of U.S. Air Force Commands, Activities, and Organizations, 1900 - 2003. Black and White and Color Photographs of U.S. Air Force and Predecessor Agencies Activities, Facilities and Personnel - World War II and Korean War, ca. 1940 - ca. 1980. Lt. Gen. Carl A. Spaatz, Commanding General of U.S. Strategic Air forces in Europe, presents the Distinguished Service Cross to Capt. Ray S. Wetmore, Kerman, Calif., of the U.S. 8th AF. The Distinguished Service Cross was awarded to Capt. Wetmore (U.S. Air Force Number 55941AC). National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of U.S. Air Force Commands, Activities, and Organizations, 1900 - 2003. Black and White and Color Photographs of U.S. Air Force and Predecessor Agencies Activities, Facilities and Personnel - World War II and Korean War, ca. 1940 - ca. 1980. Known as "The Man with Telescopic Vision," Capt. Ray S. Wetmore, 22, North American P-51 fighter pilot of the 8th AF, from Kerman, Calif., talks with his armourer, Sgt. Locklyn Sangster of Northhampton Mass., after shooting down three Nazi planes (U.S. Air Force Number 55964AC). National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Official Military Personnel Files for Persons of Exceptional Prominence (PEP) list via the National Archives website, viewed November 2, 2021 National Archives at St. Louis
referencedIn Records of the National Archives and Records Administration, 1789 - ca. 2007. Award Cards, 1942 - 1963. Air Force Award Cards [Silver Star]: Summer, Elliot - Zuniga, Nicanor. National Archives at St. Louis
referencedIn Records of the National Archives and Records Administration, 1789 - ca. 2007. Award Cards, 1942 - 1963. Air Force Award Cards [Distinguished Service Cross]: Able, Johnnie - Zemke, Hubert. National Archives at St. Louis
Place Name Admin Code Country
Sandwich MA US
California CA US
Subject
Aerial combat
Air pilots
World War II
World War II, 1939-1945
Occupation
Aircraft pilots
Airforce officers
Airforce personnel
Airmen
Lieutenant Colonel
Military personnel
Activity

Person

Birth 1923-09-30

Death 1951-02-14

Male

Americans

English

Related Descriptions
Information

Permalink: http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6tc1zwp

Ark ID: w6tc1zwp

SNAC ID: 87146004