Larry "Scrappy" Blumer

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Larry "Scrappy" Blumer (May 31, 1917 – October 23, 1997) was a pilot in the United States Air Force. He was a member of the 393rd Fighter Squadron, 367th Fighter Group during World War II.[1] He was nicknamed "Scrappy" because he flew a "Scrap Iron" P-38. [2] Blumer was born in Walcott, North Dakota and attended college at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. He joined the Air Force in 1943.

Stationed in Europe, Blumer became an "ace-in-a-day" when he shot down five German FW-190s in 15 minutes of aerial combat on August 25, 1944.[3] Blumer took command of the 393rd on November 10, 1944 and held the position until his tour ended in January 1945.[4] Blumer was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, Air Medal with 22 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Belgian Croix de Guerre.[5]

In 1946, he returned to the United States and became a contractor. Later in life, he purchased a P-38, painted it like his old plane, and flew it at air shows.[6]

Blumer died of Leukemia on October 23, 1997 in Springfield, Oregon.

[edit] References

  1. ^ 367th Fighter Group's Home Page
  2. ^ FlightSim.Com Feature: History Of The 367th
  3. ^ FlightSim.Com Feature: History Of The 367th
  4. ^ http://www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/60-2007/journals/hr10.pdf
  5. ^ Last Flight
  6. ^ Last Flight
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