The following article was found in the January 21, 1943, Lowell Tribune on page 2, column 2:
Completes Examination
Air Cadet Willard L. Haemker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Haemker of this community has been sent from Jefferson Barracks, Mo., to San Antonio, Texas, where he has completed his tests and examinations and is now classified as a pilot of the U.S. air force.
The following May 6, 1943, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 2:
San Antonio Aviation Cadet Center, Texas -- Eager to get behind the controls of a primary trainer for the first time in their roles as aviation cadets, another large class of Uncle Sam's potential fighters of the air has been advanced from the preflight school at San Antonio Aviation Cadet Center.
The cadets will undergo training in the air at primary, basic and advanced flying fields before winning the coveted wings and commissions of flying officers.
Those advanced from the preflight school include 221 from Indiana, one of whom was from Lowell, Aviation Cadet Willard L. Haemker, Rural Route Two.
This May 18, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 3, column 2:
Writes from Overseas
Lt. Willard Haemker writes the Floyd Meyers that he is now overseas with his outfit, and that everything is going along as per schedule. The climate there is not too agreeable, with the very hot days and cold nights.
This March 15, 1945, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 1:
Lt. Willard Haemker arrived home Saturday to spend a 21-day furlough with his parents, the Fred Haemkers, and his brother, Ewald and family. Willard has been in the air corps the past two years, and for a year has piloted a B-24 bomber in the Southwest Pacific, in action against the Japs. He arrived in San Francisco a week ago last Sunday and after the expiration of his leave here, will report for further assignment.
This April 26, 1945, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 3:
Santa Ana, Calif., April 23 -- First Lt. Willard L. Haemker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Haemker of Lowell, is currently assigned to the AAF Redistribution Station No. 4 at Santa Ana Army Air Base.
Lt. Haemker, who has completed 47 combat missions as pilot of a B-24 Liberator bomber, entered the service Aug. 23, 1943, and went overseas in March, 1944. He has been awarded the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters and one battle star for participation in major operations of the 5th air force over islands in the Southwest Pacific area.
At this redistribution station, an operation of the Personnal Distribution Command, combat returnees of the AAF receive complete physical examinations, classification interviews and reassignment to domestic stations of the army air forces.
This January 24, 1946, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 1:
Lt. Willard Haemker has re-enlisted in the air corps, and is now stationed as an instructor at Greater Pittsburg airport at Corrapolis, Pa.
This February 28, 1946, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 2:
1st Lt. Willard Haemker, was home over the week end to visit with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Haemker and brother and family. He left Sunday for Memphis, Tenn., where he will be stationed for some time.
This March 14, 1946, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 1:
Lt. Willard Haemker is here visiting his parents, the Fred Haemkers and brother, Ewald, and family. He leaves the 16th for Stockton, Calif., where he will be stationed.
This June 20, 1946, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 7, column 3:
Lt. W.L. Haemker, stationed at Westover Field, Mass., spent a few days' furlough at home here with his parents, the Fred Haemkers, and brother, Ewald, and family last week. He also visited the Floyd Meyers while here.
This January 2, 1947, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 5, column 3:
Lt. Willard Haemaker telephoned his parents, the Fred Haemkers, on Christmas Eve, to extend them Christmas greetings. Willard, who is in the air corps, had brought a number of soldiers to Maine to spend Christmas, and was returning after Christmas to Labrador, where he is stationed as an air corps instructor.
This article was found in the March 20, 1947, issue of the Lowell Tribune, page 2, column 3:
LOWELL PILOT MISSING OVER LABRADOR
Mr. and Mrs. Fred W. Haemker, northwest of Lowell, received a telegram yesterday from Washington confirming the fact that their son, Lt. Willard E. Haemker has been missing over Goose Bay, Labrador since March 13th. The message also stated that a letter of explanation would follow.
Lt. Haemker, according to recent news dispatches, was enroute from Harrison to Goose Bay last Thursday, when the plane in which he, the pilot, Lt. Edward Tague and Sgt. Patrick S. Hayes, disappeared. It is believed that the plane may have crashed during a severe storm.
Lt. Haemker, a graduate of Lowell high school in 1940, has been in the Army Air Corp about four years, spending over a year of that time as a bomber pilot in the Pacific during the war.
This article was found the July 3, 1947, issue of the Lowell Tribune, page 1, column 2 (Note that the date the plane was missing differs in this article and in the one above.):
BODY OF LIEUT. WILLARD HAEMKER FOUND IN LABRADOR
LOCAL FLYER AND TWO COMPANIONS WERE LOST IN FLIGHT ON MARCH 23rd
Word received by Mr. and Mrs. Fred Haemker from the war department says the body of their son, Lt. Willard Haemker and his two companions, who were reported missing March 23rd when their army plane vanished during a flight over Labrador, have been found near Double Lake, in that country. The army searchers have been working since their disappearance trying to locate them. They also found the wrecked plane.
Willard, a graduate of Lowell high school, enlisted in the air corps early in World War II, and saw active service in the Pacific theatre as a bomber pilot. He re-enlisted after his discharge and has since been stationed in Labrador.
His remains will be sent here for burial by the war department in the near future.
This July 17, 1947, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1, column 6:
LT. WILLARD HAEMKER BURIED ON MONDAY
The remains of Lt. Willard L. Haemker who met his death while on a flight over Labrador last March, arrived here last Saturday, escorted by his room mate, Lt. E.B. McClintuck. The body was taken to the Weaver funeral home.
Services were held at the Lutheran church Monday at 2 p.m., in charge of the pastor, Rev. H.F. Hall.
This July 17, 1947, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 6, column 3:
OBITUARY
1st Lt. Willard Lawrence Haemker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Haemker, was born January 1st, 1922, at Beecher, Illinois. On the 22nd day of the same month, he was made a member of Christ's Kingdom thru the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. On April 5th, 1936 he reaffirmed this Baptismal Covenant in the Rite of Confirmation before the Lord's Altar in this our House of Worship.
On October 23rd, 1942, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was sent into the Southwest Pacific in March of 1944. Having completed 49 missions as a pilot on a B24 bomber, Lt. Haemker was returned to the States. Not long after his reinlistment in November of 1945, he assumed his assigned duties in Labrador. On March 13th of this year a plane containing Lt. Haemker and two companions was reported missing while in flight from Cape Harrison to Goose Bay, Labrador. Some time elapsed before the wreckage could be found and on June 19th his mortal remains were recovered and returned to his home for Christian burial.
Those who feel his passing most keenly are his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Haemker, one brother and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Ewald Haemker, and one nephew, Elden, all of Lowell. In addition to an aged grandmother who resides at Crete, Ill., he leaves a host of other relatives and friends.
Beloved, is it well?
God's ways are always right;
The hand that wounds knows how to bind
And heal the broken heart.
Funeral services were held at the Trinity Lutheran church at Lowell, last Monday, July 14th. Interment was made at Crete, Ill.
Card of Thanks
We wish to extend our sincere thanks to all our relatives, friends and neighbors for their many kind acts and words of sympathy, and to Rev. Hall, for the comforting words and prayers, and to the American Legion of Lowell, our heartfelt thanks for their expressions of sympathy, cards, beautiful floral offerings and memorial wreaths, in our recent sorrow, the loss of our dearly beloved son and brother.
Their kindness can never be forgotten by us. Signed: Mr. and Mrs. Fred Haemker; Mr. and Mrs. Ewald Haemker, and son, Elden.
This March 11, 1948, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 5, column 3:
1st Lt. Willard L. Haemker
In memory of our dear son and brother, who died in a plane crash on Labrador March 13th, 1947.
One sad lonely year has passed
Since our great sorrow fell
The shock that we recieved that day
We still remember well.
When one we loved was called away
God took him home, it was God's will
But in our hearts he liveth still.
