
George Stoner Weaber was born on August 11th, 1919 in Dacoma, Oklahoma, the 4th of 6 children born to George and Edith Weaber. At 4 years old, George had a sister, Grace Ella who died the same day she was born. The family at that point lived in Oklahoma and in the late 30s, George’s eldest brother, Ivan, joined the United States Army where he eventually became a Captain with the 92bd Coastal Artillery in Corregidor. George, following in his brother’s footsteps, participated in 2 years of ROTC before enlisting in the army himself in September 1940 and served a year with the 189th Field Artillery Battalion, 45th Infantry Division. On December 7th, 1941 the United States was plunged into war and George’s brother Ivan was eventually captured in the fall of Corregidor. 22 days after the attack at Pearl Harbor, George enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He began the path to becoming an officer and was stationed in New River in the paymaster’s office. Eventually in 1943, after completing his educational and service requirements, alongside several outstanding letters of recommendation, Sergeant George S. Weaber was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on August 25th, 1943. From there Weaber went to the Field Artillery Course and was trained as an Artillery Liason Officer. He was sent to the 4th JASCO in April of 1944 and was on the Island of Pavuvu by July 1944. 2nd Lieutenant George Weaber landed on Peleliu September 15th, 1944 attached to the 3rd battalion 5th Marines on Orange Beach. Weaber called in close Naval Gunfire for 3/5 across the airfield and into the ridges of Peleliu, undoubtedly providing vital support to the heavily contested assault into Peleliu’s interior. On September 27th(D+12) Weaber and his squad were temporarily detached from 3/5 and lent out to 2/5 for their assault on Hill 3 in the northeastern Hill Row. Weaber led his men to an advantageous position to spot for the naval guns to an outpost behind enemy lines. However, it was during their return from this position that Weaber was killed.

The full account of his death is as follows:
“Lieutenant WEABER as Naval Gunfire Spotter for a Shore Fire Control Party attached to the Third Battalion, Fifth Marines. When the battalion to which he was attached was temporarily withdrew, Lieutenant WEABER volunteered to assist in the spotting of gunfire for another battalion. The immediate terrain being unfavorable for spotting fire he led his men through sniper fire to an advantageous position within enemy territory and accomplished his mission. While descending the hill from the observation post, his men, who were several yards to his rear, were suddenly pinned down by heavy enemy machine gun and rifle fire. Lieutenant WEABER climbed back up the hill to a position from which he could cover the escape of his men, and while so engaged was mortally wounded. His deliberate disregard for his own safety, and heroic performance were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service”.

According to another first hand account of one of Weaber’s fellow officers:
“The story was told here recently by marine Second Lieut. Howard E. Van Ousten, of Grand Rapids, Mich., also a naval gunfire spotter in the Palaus, who was with Weaber when he died on Bloody Nose ridge. The two marine lieutenants were scouring the cliffs for enemy gun emplacements and other strong points of resistance. Van Ousten said four Japanese trapped him. "I lay pinned to the ground. my back to a 200-foot. cliff," he sald "I got two of them," said Van Ousten, "but the other two Japs were rapidly getting my range. Then George heard the shooting and came running up the, slope. Lieutenant Weaber, according to the Michigan officer, exposed himself to draw the fire of the two snipers. Van Ousten said Weber's action enabled him to crawl forward and knock out the snipers with his carbine. Bullets had struck Weaber in the chest and temple. His last words said Van Ousten, were:
"I can't make it, 'Van', get out of here while you still have a chance and get naval gunfire
On this ridge." “with that" said Van Ouster
"he stumbled and fell." Van Ousten reached the bottom of the cliff. From there, he sal he radioed the location of the cave and dugouts
"I told the naval gunners aboard the battleship that my message wa , relayed from a guy who just gave his life up there," said Lieut. Van Ousten "I only wish George could have seen the shells tearing up the Jap installations."

Lieutenant Weaber’s body was interred the following day in Grave #252, Section #3, Cemetery #1. His parents were notified of his death on October 16th, 1944, via telegram, only hours after his last letter had been delivered letting his parents know he had made it through his first combat okay. His Parents subsequently requested his remains be returned to Enid for burial.


One year and one day later, George’s parents were informed that their other son, Ivan, who had been a POW the entire war was officially declared deceased. Soon after, George’s father suffered a paralytic stroke that rendered him bed ridden. In February of 1946, George’s parents were finally delivered his Silver Star Medal and his remains were returned to the United States for burial in October of 1948 where they were buried in Memorial Park Cemetery next to his sister, Grace Ella.

A memorial marker was eventually added there for his brother, Ivan, who’s remains were never recovered, and less than two years later, George’s father was buried in the same plot. George’s other brothers, Kenneth and Donald both survived the war as well as his sister Doris, all of whom lived in Enid until Kenneth passed away last in 1990, with the whole Weaber family being together again in Memoiral Park Cemetery.
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