Metzger Lake Reservoir

Second Lieutenant Metzger's official Medal of Honor citation reads:.

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) William Edward Metzger, Jr. (ASN: 0-558834), United States Army Air Forces, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 729th Bombardment Squadron, 452d Bombardment Group (H), Eighth Air Force. On a bombing run upon the marshaling yards at Saarbrucken, Germany, on 9 November 1944, a B-17 aircraft on which Second Lieutenant Metzger was serving as copilot was seriously damaged by anti-aircraft fire. Three of the aircraft's engines were damaged beyond control and on fire; dangerous flames from the No. 4 engine were leaping back as far as the tail assembly. Flares in the roared therein which was further cockpit were ignited and a fire increased by free-flowing fluid from damaged hydraulic lines. The inter- useless. In addition to these serious phone system was rendered engineer was wounded in the leg and the severed below the elbow. Suffering from mechanical difficulties the radio operator's arm was intense pain, despite the application of a tourniquet, the radio Faced with the imminent explosion of his operator fell unconscious. aircraft and death to his entire crew, mere seconds before bombs away on the target, Second Lieutenant Metzger and his pilot conferred. Something had to be done immediately to save radio operator. The lack of a the life of the wounded unconscious body striking the static line and the thought that his not bring immediate medical attention ground in unknown territory would forced a quick decision. Second Lieutenant Metzger and his pilot decided to fly the attempt to crash land. Bombs were released on the flaming aircraft to friendly territory and then to Allied-controlled territory. When that had been target and the crippled aircraft proceeded along reached Second Lieutenant Metzger personally informed all crew members to bail out upon the suggestion of the pilot. Second Lieutenant Metzger chose to remain with the pilot for the crash landing in order to assist him in this emergency. With only one normally functioning engine and with the danger of explosion much greater, the aircraft banked into an open field, and when it was at an altitude of 100 feet it exploded, crashed, exploded again, and then disintegrated. All three crewmembers were instantly killed. Second Lieutenant Metzger's loyalty to his crew, his determination to accomplish the task set forth to him, and his deed of knowingly performing what may have been his last service to his country was an example of valor at its highest.