Eminger served with the 11th Bombardment Group, 42nd Bombardment Squadron. On September 24, 1942 he was navigator on B-17E #41-2420, nicknamed 'Bessie the Jap Basher' along with three other bombers on a mission against surface ships at Shortland harbor in the Solomon Islands. They seriously damaged a cargo ship, then came under attack from about twenty Zero fighters. Barker's plane took damage and was last seen descending to sea level with fighters pursuing it. The pilot managed to keep it in the air for 290 miles before finally ditching it off Domo Cove at Guadalcanal.
At least two of the crew (the pilot Captain Charles E Norton and gunner Sgt Bruce Osborne) managed to make it to shore but both later died. The plane's wreckage was located by US forces in 1944 and no bodies were aboard. The fate of the rest of the crew was never determined, and they were all officially declared dead January 7, 1946.
Eminger received the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Purple Heart. Because his body was not recovered, his name is inscribed on the Tablets of the Missing.
He is also memorialized in Floyd Cemetery in New Mexico alongside his parents.
Eminger served with the 11th Bombardment Group, 42nd Bombardment Squadron. On September 24, 1942 he was navigator on B-17E #41-2420, nicknamed 'Bessie the Jap Basher' along with three other bombers on a mission against surface ships at Shortland harbor in the Solomon Islands. They seriously damaged a cargo ship, then came under attack from about twenty Zero fighters. Barker's plane took damage and was last seen descending to sea level with fighters pursuing it. The pilot managed to keep it in the air for 290 miles before finally ditching it off Domo Cove at Guadalcanal.
At least two of the crew (the pilot Captain Charles E Norton and gunner Sgt Bruce Osborne) managed to make it to shore but both later died. The plane's wreckage was located by US forces in 1944 and no bodies were aboard. The fate of the rest of the crew was never determined, and they were all officially declared dead January 7, 1946.
Eminger received the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Purple Heart. Because his body was not recovered, his name is inscribed on the Tablets of the Missing.
He is also memorialized in Floyd Cemetery in New Mexico alongside his parents.
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from New Mexico.
Family Members
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Eva Agnes Eminger Combs
1894–1978
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Emelia Sarah Eminger Smith
1896–2001
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Caroline Minerva "Carrie" Eminger Lauderback
1898–1995
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Edward James Eminger Sr
1900–1974
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Herman Engelbert Eminger
1903–1986
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Ada Lorraine Eminger Gunn
1906–1968
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Grace Ellen Eminger Smith
1909–1989
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LTC Carl Francis Eminger
1913–1986
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Cleo D Eminger Morgan
1917–1973
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Leo M. Eminger
1917–1942
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