SF2/c Albert Gerhardt Weidner
Born: 15 February 1922 – Chicago, Illinois
Parents: Gust Weidner & Olga Richter-Weidner
Nickname: Gary
Home:
– 1216 North Thirty-Fourth Avenue – Melrose Park, Illinois
Education:
– Saint Paul Lutheran School, Melrose Park
– Proviso Township High School
– Class of 1938
– left after freshman year
Employed: Community Metal Products Company, Forest Park, Illinois
Wife: Mary
Selective Service Registration: 27 June 1942
Residence: 1216 North Thirty-Fourth Avenue – Melrose Park, Illinois
Contact Person: Mary Weidner – wife
Enlisted:
– U.S. Naval Reserve
Inducted:
– 19 July 1943
– U.S. Navy
Serial Number: 8534849
Rank: Ship fitter Second Class
Training:
– Norfolk Naval Base – Norfolk, Virginia
– Fort Pierce, Florida
– Underwater Demolition Teams
– U.S. Navy Frogmen
Stationed:
– Pearl Harbor
– the fleet left: 5 June 1944
Ships:
– U.S.S. Essex
– sailed 16 April 1944 – San Francisco to Fray
– transferred to U.S.S. Indianapolis
– U.S.S. Indianapolis
Engagements:
– Battle of Saipan
– the island was bombarded – 13 June 1944
Killed in Action:
– 14 June 1944
– mortally wounded off Saipan
– guided landing craft through heavy enemy mortar fire
– craft was hit
Citation:
– “Weidner fearlessly swam close to shore to destroy underwater obstacles and survey reef conditions to facilitate the expeditious landing of combat troops on the heavily fortified beach…By his daring aggressiveness and cool courage in the face of grave peril, he contributed to the success of our operations against this vital Japanese stronghold”
Memorial:
– Honolulu Memorial Courts of the Missing – National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific- Honolulu, Hawaii
Medals:
– Purple Heart
– Bronze Star
