PVT DONALD C. WEAVER |
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Henk
Bredewolt, native
of Holland, has officially adopted Weaver's grave to tend |
(click photos to enlarge) |
Grave marker for Pvt Donald C. Weaver at
Plot F Row 3 Grave 5 in
Margraten American Cemetery, Holland. Pvt Weaver was killed in
action on September 30, 1944. His awards include the Purple Heart
with Oak Leaf Cluster. |
Henk Bredewolt
and his wife tend to Weaver's grave frequently |
Bredewolt's daughters
pay their respects as well |
Training Photo
of Weaver and Ed Wodowski is displayed
along with a floral tribute and Old Glory |
Reunited
Weaver's helmet is displayed atop his marker |
Personal
Memorial
Weaver's helmet and other items are on display in the Bredewolt home |
In 2001, Henk
Bredewolt, who lives near Nijmegen, obtained this (M1C) helmet from a
farmer who was living near Devils Hill. ( Hill 75.9). Henk often
uses his spare time to show his military collection to local school
children and to help educate them on what happened there in September of
1944 |
Pvt
Weaver's helmet with liner inserted is displayed on a wooden post. |
Webbing
Intact
despite its age and perhaps having been buried for years. It's
former owner's name is clearly etched inside the visor (lower left of the
picture) |
Close-up
View
of the etched name
|
Personal Knife
with Weaver's name scrawled on the scabbard
(courtesy of Patrick Collet) |
NOTE: Weaver's
inscription used just the initial 'C' rather than 'DC'. That may mean that he
went by his middle name. Whatever the case, he is the only
Weaver listed in the 82nd to have been KIA in Holland. In fact,
Donald C. Weaver is documented as having been killed on Hill 75.9
where this helmet was found. While it is possible that the helmet belonged
to a non-parachutist, it seems unlikely. |
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