Robert J. Meder
Encyclopedia
Robert John Meder was a member of the "Doolittle Raid
ers," which were the first American forces to attack the Islands of Japan
in World War II
.
Meder was a graduate of Lakewood High School where he was a cheerleader and Miami University
where he was a member of Phi Kappa Tau
Fraternity. Miami University's squadron of the Arnold Air Society
, the Air Force ROTC honor society is named the Robert J. Meder Squadron in his memory.
Lt. Meder was co-pilot on the sixth plane to take off from the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Hornet
on April 18, 1942. Following their bombing run, he and his crew crash-landed off the coast of China and were captured by the Japanese.
He died of malnutrition and beri-beri on December 1, 1943 while still in captivity. He was cremated by the Japanese and his ashes were located after the war, and returned home for burial in Section 12, Site 159 of Arlington National Cemetery
on January 17, 1949. Meder's military decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross
and Chinese Breast order of Pao-Ting.
An extremely compelling story of Meder's experience is related in the 1947 book, Deadline Delayed in a chapter titled "Tea and Ashes" by NBC
's Irene Kuhn, a member of the Overseas Press Club of America.
He is a charter member of the Phi Kappa Tau Hall of Fame and a member of the Lakewood High School Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame.
Doolittle Raid
The Doolittle Raid, on 18 April 1942, was the first air raid by the United States to strike the Japanese Home Islands during World War II. By demonstrating that Japan itself was vulnerable to American air attack, it provided a vital morale boost and opportunity for U.S. retaliation after the...
ers," which were the first American forces to attack the Islands of Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Meder was a graduate of Lakewood High School where he was a cheerleader and Miami University
Miami University
Miami University is a coeducational public research university located in Oxford, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1809, it is the 10th oldest public university in the United States and the second oldest university in Ohio, founded four years after Ohio University. In its 2012 edition, U.S...
where he was a member of Phi Kappa Tau
Phi Kappa Tau
Phi Kappa Tau is a U.S. national collegiate fraternity.-History:Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity was founded in the Union Literary Society Hall of Miami University's Old Main Building in Oxford, Ohio on March 17, 1906...
Fraternity. Miami University's squadron of the Arnold Air Society
Arnold Air Society
The Arnold Air Society is a professional, honorary, service organization advocating the support of aerospace power. AAS is open to officer candidates in Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps and at the United States Air Force Academy , and is formally affiliated with the Air Force Association...
, the Air Force ROTC honor society is named the Robert J. Meder Squadron in his memory.
Lt. Meder was co-pilot on the sixth plane to take off from the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Hornet
USS Hornet (CV-8)
USS Hornet CV-8, the seventh ship to carry the name Hornet, was a of the United States Navy. During World War II in the Pacific Theater, she launched the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo and participated in the Battle of Midway and the Buin-Faisi-Tonolai Raid...
on April 18, 1942. Following their bombing run, he and his crew crash-landed off the coast of China and were captured by the Japanese.
He died of malnutrition and beri-beri on December 1, 1943 while still in captivity. He was cremated by the Japanese and his ashes were located after the war, and returned home for burial in Section 12, Site 159 of Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
on January 17, 1949. Meder's military decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
and Chinese Breast order of Pao-Ting.
An extremely compelling story of Meder's experience is related in the 1947 book, Deadline Delayed in a chapter titled "Tea and Ashes" by NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
's Irene Kuhn, a member of the Overseas Press Club of America.
He is a charter member of the Phi Kappa Tau Hall of Fame and a member of the Lakewood High School Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame.