World War II Honoree

Herbert Weiner

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Sam E. Pennartz

ENLISTED IN THE ARMY AIR CORPS ON 29 AUGUST 1942 AT PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA. ASSIGNED TO THE CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATRE OF OPERATIONS, 20TH AIR FORCE, XXI BOMBER COMMAND, 313TH BOMB WING, 505TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (VERY HEAVY), 483RD BOMB SQUADRON STATIONED AT NORTH FIELD ON TINIAN IN THE MARIANA ISLANDS. ON 10 FEBRUARY 1945, HE FLEW IN THE FLIGHT ENGINEER POSITION ABOARD A BOEING B-29 SUPERFORTRESS NICKNAMED 'SLICK’S CHICKS' (TAIL # 42-24784). IT WAS ONE OF 120 AIRCRAFT LAUNCHED IN A WING FORMATION TO BOMBARD THE NAKAJIMA AIRCRAFT ASSEMBLY PLANT AT OTA ON THE NORTHWEST SIDE OF TOKYO, JAPAN. WHILE OVER THE TARGET AT AN ALTITUDE OF 28,000 FEET, THE GROUP WAS ATTACKED BY A BAND OF NAKAJIMA KI-44 SINGLE-ENGINE 'TOJO' FIGHTER PLANES. DURING THE ATTACK HIS AIRCRAFT SUFFERED A MID-AIR COLLISION WITH ANOTHER B-29 BOMBER, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF BOTH AIRCRAFT AND AIRCREWS.