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.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number O-10614
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.
Memorials
Next Of Kin Address
Address of wife, Mrs. Thelma Nuwer.
Location Of Loss
Lieutenant Nuwer was last seen between Guadalcanal and Savo Island.
