J Duane Wethe
| Died : 2 / 10 / 2004 |
| Lt Colonel J Duane Wethe (deceased)
Pilot with the 646th Sqn. 65 mission pilot over occupied Europe. Awarded the Silver Star for heroism in action.
Lt Col Jay Duane Wethe was born on 21st May 1921 and graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point. He entered the army in July 1940 and trained to become an A-20 Havoc bomber pilot with the 646th Squadron of the 410th Bomb Group, flying 65 missions as pilot over occupied Europe. Awarded the Silver Star for heroism in action, he was at the controls of his plane when the twin-engine aircraft of the 410th Bombardment Group struck at a vital enemy railhead at Ahutte, Germany, a key link in the German communications network supplying the front. Spearheading ground assaults, the 'Raiders' winged over Ahutte through a wall of flak and Capt. Wethe's right engine was disabled. Although stability and control were difficult, Wethe kept on the bombing run and strike attack photos showed 'excellent' results after the raid. Winging over the target, Capt. Wethe was hit again by flak, this time being wounded by a flak splinter. He kept control however, and piloted his crew home to a successful emergency landing. Lt Col Jay Duane Wethe died in California on 2nd October 2004 aged 83. |