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. World War II Siege of Malta Sergeant Weaver arrived in the United Kingdom on November 14. Weaver began attending additional training and was graded to be an above average pilot. From April to May 1942, he was assigned to 412 Squadron in the Middle East. In late June, Weaver was attached to No. 185 Squadron operating Supermarine Spitfires out of Malta. On July 17, Sergeant Weaver downed his first enemy aircraft, an Messerschmitt Bf 109. On July 22, he downed two more Bf 109s, and then two more the next day. These victories made Weaver, aged 18, the youngest Allied flying ace of the war. On July 24, Weaver shared a sixth victory with a fellow pilot, downing a Junkers Ju88 bomber. Weaver was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal on August 8. On September 9, Sergeant Weaver participated in a combat mission over Sicily. During the mission, Weaver downed an Italian MC.202, making him a double ace with 10.5 victories. Weaver himself was shot down shortly afterwards and crash landed on a beach in Scoglitti. Before he had a chance to destroy his plane, Weaver was arrested by Carabinieri and listed as missing in action by his squadron. 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. In March 1943, Weaver made his first attempt to escape. He tried to force his way through the barbed wire on the perimeter of the camp, but he got stuck for half an hour. Upon being discovered, Weaver was severely beaten, with one guard breaking the buttstock of his rifle over him. Soon afterwards, he was moved to Camp 49 in Fontanellato. At Camp