As a young soldier in the 17th Airborne Division, Richard Weaver fought in the Battle of the Bulge and on March 24, 1945, landed by parachute and unpowered glider during Operation Varsity, which has been called the largest airborne assault in history. He carried out his duty under fire, supporting his unit through freezing nights, enemy fire, and grueling marches, and even guided GEN Matthew Ridgway through German-held territory to the Command Post of the 17th Airborne Division.
After the war, he was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division for the occupation of Berlin and was discharged in early 1946. He returned to Pennsylvania, where he married, had 11 children, and founded and operated Richard J. Weaver’s Plastering Business for over 50 years.
Weaver’s life reminds us that the Army values are not abstract ideals. Rather, they are carried forward in everyday acts of service, courage, and patriotism.