World War II Honoree

Virginia L. Weitz

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Massillon, Ohio

Honored By

Jerry Penry

RANK: 2ND LIEUTENANT. SHE WAS A U.S. ARMY DIETARY NURSE AND A PASSENGER IN A L-5 ‘SENTINEL’ RECONNAISSANCE AIRCRAFT, WHO WAS KILLED SEPTEMBER 24, 1944 ALONG WITH THE PILOT DURING A RECONNAISSANCE MISSION. THE PILOT HAD TAKEN-OFF FROM THE FAIRMONT, NEBRASKA ARMY AIR FIELD AND WAS SIMULATING AERIAL ATTACKS UPON A GROUP OF SOLDIERS WHO WERE CONDUCTING GROUND MANEUVERS. DURING A DIVE, THE PLANE CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE TOPS OF SOME TREES AND CRASHED THREE MILES WEST OF BEAVER CROSSING, NEBRASKA.