Foil: 9 Panel: 3 Column: 1 Line: 82

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:

Leason D. Shoemaker
Born 8/24/20 in Madison, PA
Died 11/6/04 in Satellite Beach, FL
Leason. (Lee) D. Shoemaker enlisted in the USAF in August 1943 at the age of 23 to defend his country. He was married on September 14, 1941 to Ruth L. Lockwood of Halesite, New York.
He was part of the 2 0th AF 9th Bomb group, 315 wing.
Lee received his basic training at Camp Upton on Long Island, New York and then went to North Carolina State College as aviation student. Unfortunately, the program was discontinued in 1944 as the war escalated.
Lee reported to Fort Myers Gunnery School for training and immediately following was stationed in McCook, Nebraska where he was assigned to the brand new B~2 9 named the "Queen Bee".
The entire crew was sent to Harrington Kansas, where they picked up the new plane. They flew to the island of Tinian where they were stationed.
On April 28, 194 5, during a bombing mission, the "Queen Bee" was hit and shot down 200 miles from Japan and the crew was given orders to bail out.
As the plane plummeted into the Pacific Ocean, quick thinking and an early response enabled Lee to save his life and the life of one of his crewmates. Unfortunately, the parachute of Payton E. Smith (Smitty) would not release when it hit the water. The weight, of the parachute was pulling Smitty under water. Lee took action and disconnected him from the parachute. Lee & Smitty survived together in the Pacific Ocean on a one-man raft for 2 8th hours until they were rescued by a submarine and returned safely to base. Their friendship also survived over 60 years.
He was awarded the Air Medal, Soldiers Medal, American Service Medal and Victory Medal WWII.
He received an honorable discharge on 11/25/1945 at the rank of Staff Sergeant.
We are so proud of Lee. You will always be our hero.
Love, your Wife, Children, Grandchildren & Great Grandchildren