For extraordinary heroism and achievement in aerial flight over enemy territory and in action against the enemy, 27 November 1944. On this date, he was leader of a flight of four P-51 fighter aircraft on a fighter sweep mission over north central Germany. During the mission he sighted three formations of enemy aircraft, totalling more than 200 FW 190’s and Me-109’s. With total disregard for his own personal safety, Major Wetmore tracked the hostile fighters, radioing their positions, altitude and course to his nearby fighter group. Supporting fighters failed to arrive, and Major Wetmore, ignoring the fact of the overwhelming odds of 200 to 2, chose to attack three of the enemy aircraft in the air. The action of Major Wetmore on this occasion was a clear demonstration of the willful selection of the more hazardous of two acceptable and honorable courses of action, since his withdrawal from the combat under such overwhelmingly unfavorable circumstances would certainly have been acceptable. His performance served as an inspiration to his fellow pilots and reflects the greatest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

View Mr. Wetmore’s first Distinguished Service Cross Citation.