Edward Simons Fulmer
Encyclopedia
Edward Simons Fulmer is a former officer and pilot of the United States Army Air Forces
. Fulmer is one of the few living Knights of the Military William Order.
. During battles of the 82nd Airborne Division in the area of Nijmegen during the period of September 17 till October 4, 1944, the royal order mentions that Edward Simons Fulmer, "distinguished himself in battle by committing the following excellent acts of bravery, planning and loyalty:
On September 18, 1944 he served as second pilot of a Douglas C-47 during the air raid in the Netherlands, also known as operation "Market Garden". The airplane of Lieutenant Fulmer, carrying an entire unit of parachute troops and an amount of very explosive substances, was heavily damaged by defense fire of the Wehrmacht which caused the pilot to lose consciousness and caused a heavy fire. Taking over the wheel of the machine, he stood firmly at his post, while meanwhile parachute troops and the crew could save themselves, by jumping out of the plane. Despite serious burns to the face, neck, back and arms he managed to place the machine on the land in a heroic attempt to save the unconscious pilot's life. Lieutenant Fulmer showed extraordinary heroism during this act and did not take his own safety into account."
, with the rank of Knight 4th class of the Military William Order. The Order is the highest and oldest honour of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
, which is bestowed for "performing excellent acts of Bravery, Leadership and Loyalty in battle". The award is comparable to the French Légion d’honneur but far less frequently awarded. Fulmer is one of only seven still living knights and the only American and non-Dutch member in this group (May 2011).
United States Army Air Forces
The United States Army Air Forces was the military aviation arm of the United States of America during and immediately after World War II, and the direct predecessor of the United States Air Force....
. Fulmer is one of the few living Knights of the Military William Order.
Military career
Second lieutenant Fulmer was one of the pilots that descended with gliders during Operation Market GardenOperation Market Garden
Operation Market Garden was an unsuccessful Allied military operation, fought in the Netherlands and Germany in the Second World War. It was the largest airborne operation up to that time....
. During battles of the 82nd Airborne Division in the area of Nijmegen during the period of September 17 till October 4, 1944, the royal order mentions that Edward Simons Fulmer, "distinguished himself in battle by committing the following excellent acts of bravery, planning and loyalty:
On September 18, 1944 he served as second pilot of a Douglas C-47 during the air raid in the Netherlands, also known as operation "Market Garden". The airplane of Lieutenant Fulmer, carrying an entire unit of parachute troops and an amount of very explosive substances, was heavily damaged by defense fire of the Wehrmacht which caused the pilot to lose consciousness and caused a heavy fire. Taking over the wheel of the machine, he stood firmly at his post, while meanwhile parachute troops and the crew could save themselves, by jumping out of the plane. Despite serious burns to the face, neck, back and arms he managed to place the machine on the land in a heroic attempt to save the unconscious pilot's life. Lieutenant Fulmer showed extraordinary heroism during this act and did not take his own safety into account."
Knighthood
On October 17, 1946 by Royal Decree, Fulmer was knighted by Queen WilhelminaWilhelmina of the Netherlands
Wilhelmina was Queen regnant of the Kingdom of the Netherlands from 1890 to 1948. She ruled the Netherlands for fifty-eight years, longer than any other Dutch monarch. Her reign saw World War I and World War II, the economic crisis of 1933, and the decline of the Netherlands as a major colonial...
, with the rank of Knight 4th class of the Military William Order. The Order is the highest and oldest honour of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Kingdom of the Netherlands
The Kingdom of the Netherlands is a sovereign state and constitutional monarchy with territory in Western Europe and in the Caribbean. The four parts of the Kingdom—Aruba, Curaçao, the Netherlands, and Sint Maarten—are referred to as "countries", and participate on a basis of equality...
, which is bestowed for "performing excellent acts of Bravery, Leadership and Loyalty in battle". The award is comparable to the French Légion d’honneur but far less frequently awarded. Fulmer is one of only seven still living knights and the only American and non-Dutch member in this group (May 2011).