Forrest Lee Vosler, (July 29, 1923 – February 17, 1992) was a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress radio operator who was the second enlisted U.S. airman to receive the Medal of Honor.

This was a costly mission for the 8th Air Force as a total of 27 bombers were lost including the Jersey Bounce Jr. after it ditched in the North Sea.

George Buske) was removed from the still-floating ditched Fortress and put on one of the wings while the other crewmen prepared the life raft.

Vosler grabbed him around his waist while using his other hand to hold an antenna wire to avoid falling into the cold water.

Vosler accomplished this while coping with a badly wounded eye that resulted from an earlier exploding 20mm cannon shell that hit his gun position.

[1] Due to war injuries, he was unable to keep up with his studies and dropped out of Syracuse University at the end of the 1945 fall semester.

The degree was presented by Chancellor of Syracuse University Kent Syverud to Vosler's son, Steve.

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry in action against the enemy above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a radio operator-air gunner on a heavy bombardment aircraft in a mission over Bremen, Germany, on 20 December 1943.

Vosler was serving was severely damaged by antiaircraft fire, forced out of formation, and immediately subjected to repeated vicious attacks by enemy fighters.

Pieces of metal lodged in both eyes, impairing his vision to such an extent that he could only distinguish blurred shapes.

The radio equipment had been rendered inoperative during the battle, and when the pilot announced that he would have to ditch, although unable to see and working entirely by touch, T/Sgt.

Vosler managed to get out on the wing by himself and hold the wounded tail gunner from slipping off until the other crewmembers could help them into the dinghy.

The extraordinary courage, coolness, and skill he displayed in the face of great odds, when handicapped by injuries that would have incapacitated the average crewmember, were outstanding.Taken from U.S. Air Force Biography[7]