Skip to content

Eugene Anthony Nuwer

Second Lieutenant Eugene A. “Gene” Nuwer was a Marine pilot who flew with VMF-121.
He was reported missing after a fighter intercept mission over Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 20 October 1942.

Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

Branch

Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number O-10614

Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

Current Status

Remains Not Recovered

Pursuit Category

The DPAA has not publicized this information.

Capsule History

Pre-War Life

Birth

May 28, 1917
at Lancaster, NY

Parents

Joseph Anthony Nuwer (d. 1939)
Henrietta (Daigler) Nuwer (d. 1935)

Education

Lancaster High School (1935)
University of Buffalo (1941)

Occupation & Employer

Enlisted from college

Service Life

Entered Service

April 17, 1941 (enlisted)
May 20, 1942 (commission)

Home Of Record

9 Pleasant Avenue
Lancaster, NY

Next Of Kin

Wife, Mrs. Thelma M. Nuwer

Military Specialty

Pilot
Assistant Materials Officer

Campaigns Served

Solomon Islands / Guadalcanal

Individual Decorations

Purple Heart

Additional Service Details

Cousin of Marine aviator Francis X. Nuwer.

Loss And Burial

Circumstances Of Loss

Second Lieutenant Eugene Nuwer, a fighter pilot assigned to VMF-121, arrived at Guadalcanal on 9 October 1942. He flew combat missions over the Solomon Islands for the next eleven days.

On the morning of 20 October 1942, the Cactus Air Force scrambled to intercept an incoming Japanese air raid. The Wildcats met eighteen Zeros over the water near Savo Island, and the ensuing dogfight cost the Japanese seven planes and pilots. Captain Joe Foss, a VMF-121 flight leader, watched two of his victims hit the water – and also spotted a Wildcat in serious trouble.

At 10:15 AM on the twentieth, after a blessedly quiet night, our flight took off to intercept eighteen Zeros.... One of my flight – Lieutenant Eugene A. (Gene) Nuwer, Lancaster, New York, failed to return from that hop. The last I saw of him he was in full dive on the tail of a Zero, with another Zero on his tail. What happened to him I never learned.

Nuwer’s Wildcat (F4F-4 #11659) was not seen again. The pilot was reported missing in action after the fight, and ultimately declared dead on 19 February 1945. He received a posthumous promotion to the rank of captain.

Burial Information or Disposition

None; aircraft failed to return.

Next Of Kin Address

Address of wife, Mrs. Thelma Nuwer.

Location Of Loss

Lieutenant Nuwer was last seen between Guadalcanal and Savo Island.

Related Profiles

VMF-121 pilots missing over Guadalcanal.
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *