Dennis Baron Weaver

2nd Lt Dennis B. Weaver was an insurance salesman. He volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States in Erie, Pennsylvania, on 7 April 1942. | | Statement from Wallace B. Frank, Capt, Air Corps: | "Returning from escort to Dummer Lake, I had become separated some distance from the other flight in the first section. I had a flight of three ships and was soon joined by a 4th, the latter from the 375th. I was letting down prior to crossing out and sighted a boat some distance offshore from IJmuiden, Holland. I decided to go down and have a shot on it after I had identified it as an E boat. It was at about 12,000 feet and spiraled down to about 6,000 over the boat. It took no evasive action and fired no flak. The flight went into string formation, and I made the first pass. I saw strikes amid ships and astern. After making the pass, I noticed 5 bursts of light flak above and behind the boat, near none of my aircraft. I saw other aircraft make numerous strikes and decided that another pass could be made without serious opposition from the boat. After making the second pass, my #3 said his gas was low, and the flight broke off combat and turned for home. About two minutes on course, Lt Weaver's ship started burning, and he bailed out. I circled for an hour, giving Mayday, and saw Lt Weaver in his dinghy. When I left, the boat was still stopped and burning well. The action took place at approximately 1300 hours."