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Harold Weaver - Rochester

Harold Weaver, from Rochester, Illinois, was drafted into the U.S. Army in January 1943. He was assigned to the 172nd Infantry Regiment of the 43rd Infantry Division and saw action with the unit in the North Solomon Islands, New Guinea and by January 1945 on Luzon Island in the Philippines. It was there that Weaver was injured in the leg, which ended his combat experiences. Following the war Harold worked at Sangamo Electric for thirty-two years, then at Camp Lincoln, the National Guard camp in Springfield. At age 67 he began working part-time at the Wilson Park Funeral Home in Rochester.

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Photos

Caption:
Harold Weaver (front row, left) joined eight other Springfield, Illinois draftees in early 1943.

Where:
Springfield, Illinois

When:
Early 1943

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo

Caption:
Pictured are the members of Company C of the 88th infantry Training Battalion during Boot Camp at Camp Roberts, California on May 15, 1943. Private Weaver is in the front row, 3rd on the right. .

Where:
Camp Roberts, California

When:
May 15, 1943

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo

Caption:
Weaver’s company, Co K, 172nd Infantry Regiment, 43rd Division gathered for this photo prior to the unit’s deployment to combat. Harold Weaver is in the front row, dead center.

Where:
Unknown

When:
Circa 1943

Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.

Caption:
Members of Weaver’s unit stand for a picture in front of the unit’s tents while Weaver sits in the background. The unit was in New Zealand in 1943 at the time of the picture.

Where:
New Zealand

When:
1943

Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.

Caption:
Harold Weaver was in civilian attire when this picture was taken of him at a park in New Market, New Zealand in 1943.

Where:
New Zealand

When:
1943

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo

Caption:
Harold Weaver had his portrait taken while in uniform during his service in New Zealand in 1944.

Where:
New Zealand

When:
1944

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo

Caption:
Harold’s mother received this telegram on April 28, 1945 informing her of his injury in the Philippines.

Where:
Springfield, Illinois

When:
April 28, 1945

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo


Caption:
Harold’s father received this telegram on June 9, 1945 notifying him of Harold’s return to the California.

Where:
Springfield, Illinois

When:
June 9, 1945

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo


Caption:
Harold Weaver’s medical report was sent to his mother, notifying her of his ‘normal’ recovery from the shrapnel wounds, April 28, 1945.

Where:
Springfield, Illinois

When:
April 28, 1945

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo

Caption:
Harold Weaver received the Illinois Service Recognition Certificate in 1947 from Governor Dwight Green.

Where:
Unknown

When:
1947

Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.

Caption:
Harold had the opportunity to go on an Honor Flight to the WW II Memorial in Washington, D.C. in 2011, something that all of members of the ‘Greatest Generation’ thoroughly enjoyed. Harold is third from the right, and is joined by others from Rochester.

Where:
Unknown

When:
2011

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo

Caption:
Harold Weaver attended a veterans event in downtown Springfield in 2012. He is a proud member of VFW Post 11463.

Where:
Springfield, Illinois

When:
2012

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo



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