Willie Baxter Weant
Military
Object Number - UPL 56068 - Capt Willie B Weant, 44BG.
Assigned to 68BS, 44BG, 8AF USAAF. Lt. Baxter Weant took part in Operation Tidal Wave, the bombing mission to Ploesti, Romania, as co-pilot, flying the B-24 41-23788, 'Helen Hywater'. Returned to base. RTB. 1-Aug-43.
Helen Hywater, with Lt. Weant and crew, was damaged by flak on a mission over Norway. The plane crash landed in Sweden. It was interned by the Swedes, set on fire and totally destroyed by the crew after landing. INT-SWE. 18-Nov-43
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 2nd Air Division 44th Bomb Group 67th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-404078
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Pilot - Controller
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 44th Bomb Group 68th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 7001236
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 44th Bomb Group 68th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 38208089
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 44th Bomb Group 68th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-734920
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 44th Bomb Group 68th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Navigator
Aircraft
![First Lieutenant Robert C. Peterson of the 44th Bomb Group in the cockpit of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 41-23788) with the aircraft's dog mascot: Pilot-Officer "Rusty". A printed caption was previously attached to the reverse, however this has been removed. Handwritten caption on reverse of print: '44BG B-24 Liberator Avenger showing 19 fighter claims and 18 bomb markings including Ploesti. 123788 I.' On reverse: Associated Press [Stamp]. Associated News Story: 'Pilot Officer "Rusty" - dog of many mi](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-407960.jpg.webp?itok=J3xBDarI)
Missions
- Date: 1 August 1943
- Official Description:
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Pathway
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
China Grove, North Carolina, USA | 17 December 1918 | Son of Andrew M and Lou Regina [Hodge] Weant. |
|
Enlisted |
Charlotte, NC | 6 February 1942 | Charlotte, North Carolina |
|
Other Interned (INT) |
Sweden | 18 November 1943 | |
|
Died |
15 March 1991 | ||
|
Buried |
Grace Lutheran Church Cemetery China Grove, Rowan County, NC | 18 March 1991 | Grace Lutheran Church Cemetery China Grove, Rowan County, North Carolina |
|
Based |
Shipdham | 18 November 1943 | Assigned to 68BS, 44BG, 8AF USAAF. |
Revisions
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 1377 / MACR 1377, Losses of 8th & 9th AFs Vol I by Bishop & Hey p. 375; 44th Bomb Group, The Flying Eightballs, pg 22 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database
