Claude Weaver III

Claude Weaver III DFC, DFM & Bar (August 18, 1923 – January 28, 1944) was an American pilot who joined the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II. He was the youngest Allied flying ace of the war and was credited with 12.5 aerial victories. He was shot down and taken as a prisoner of war for one year before successfully escaping captivity, however he was later shot down a second time and killed.

Early life and training Claude Weaver was born on August 18, 1923, in Oklahoma City. Weaver dropped out of Classen High School and travelled to Windsor, Ontario, where he enlisted into the Royal Canadian Air Force on February 13, 1941.

On July 27, Weaver completed training at No. 17 Elementary Flying Training School in Stanley, Nova Scotia, graduating at the bottom of his class. He then began attending training at No. 8 Service Flying Training School in Moncton, New Brunswick. On August 6, Weaver made a forced landing and was disciplined for his carelessness. On October 10, Weaver was awarded his flying wings and promoted to sergeant, graduating last in his class of 39. Weaver was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal on August 8.

Prisoner of war On September 14, Weaver was taken to Camp 50 in Italy. While he was there, Weaver was put in solitary confinement and interrogated. By the end of the month, he was moved to Camp 21 in Chieti, Italy, where he would spend the next several months. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in March, and was mentioned in dispatches a few months later. In 1994, Claude Weaver III was inducted into the Oklahoma Aviation and Space Hall of Fame.

Relations Weaver's grandfather, Claude Weaver, was an Oklahoman Congressman. Additionally, his brother, Corporal David O. Weaver, was a United States Marine who was killed in March 1945 during the battle of Iwo Jima.