Wesley R Vawter

Military
media-6999.jpeg UPL 6999 Lt. Wesley R. Vawter
Co-PIlot
466th BG - 785th BS

466th BG Archives

Object Number - UPL 6999 - Lt. Wesley R. Vawter Co-PIlot 466th BG - 785th BS

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

Three little girls hold up a balloon celebrating the 100th mission of the 466th Bomb Group in front of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-95592) nicknamed "Black Cat". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'On our 100 Mission party Day- 18 Aug 1944, Attlebridge, 466th- wouldn't it be something if we could identify these girls? How could I do it?'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 785th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Dixie
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 785th Bomb Squadron

Places

Aerial photograph of Attlebridge airfield, looking north, the fuel store and a T2 hangar are in the upper centre, 31 January 1946. Photograph taken by No. 90 Squadron, sortie number RAF/3G/TUD/UK/51. English Heritage (RAF Photography).
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Attlebridge Arsenal, Station 120

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Jackson, TN, USA 9 January 1924

Died

Memphis, TN, USA 29 May 2009 WESLEY RHODES VAWTER, JR., 85, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, died Friday, May 29, 2009 at Baptist Hospital after a long and full life. A retired businessman, community volunteer, and woodworking enthusiast, Mr. Vawter was born January 9, 1924 in Jackson, TN, to Wesley Rhodes Vawter and Emily Black Vawter. As a youngster, he moved with his parents to Alexandria, Louisiana. He began studies at Louisiana State University but left to join the military, along with most of his Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity brothers, during World War II. He was a first lieutenant with the 466th bomber group, co-piloting a B-24 aircraft on 35 combat missions for the U.S. Air Force. After the war, Mr. Vawter began a long career with Chrysler Corporation, relocating several times throughout the U. S. over a thirty-year period. When his career travels ended, he returned to his West Tennessee roots and was blessed with nearly two decades of productive retirement in Memphis. At Mullins United Methodist Church he was a former trustee, Lay Leader and chairman of the Administrative Council. He also delivered meals for MIFA and volunteered as a driver for the American Cancer Society. A fitness buff, he continued regular gym workouts well into his eighties, and he enjoyed weekly games of golf with friends and former colleagues. The defining role of his retirement, however, was his love of woodworking. A talented and self-taught craftsman, he enjoyed creating treasures for family and friends, as well as the challenge of making repairs to fine antique furniture or simple repairs for home or church projects

Buried

Memphis, TN, USA 1 June 2009 Memorial Park Cemetery Memphis Shelby County Tennessee, USA Plot: Mausoleum
Alexandria, LA, USA 425 Lee Street

Revisions

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
Sources

466th BG Historian

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Unit roster in the book ATTLEBRIDGE ARSENAL by Wassom & Brassfield, page 331

Wesley R Vawter: Gallery (2 items)