World War II Honoree

Gerald F. Weir

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Emmetsburg, Iowa

Honored By

Mr. & Mrs. John Mills

Relationship

Sister & Brother-in-law

Weir originally entered the U.S. Army Air Forces in January 1943 and distinguished himself as an airplane engineer/aerial gunner aboard B-25s in the Southwest Pacific during World War II. A veteran of 63 combat missions and recipient of the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Weir's next station was Chanute Field until his demobilization in 1945. He reentered the service a short time later and gained recognition as a flight engineer on over 169 supply missions during the Berlin Airlift. He also served as a crew member on atomic bomb tests conducted in the South Pacific. It was in his expert role as Chanute-based flight engineer that Weir lost his life on October 24, 1957 in a C-119 crash near Midwest City, Oklahoma, while returning to his home at Chanute. Second enlistment Army Tail Gunner in World War II. Earned Several Medals.