Delbert William "Deb" Weber
S/SGT in 603rd Engineer Camouflage Bn : HQ & Service Co
ASN#35756463
Born 1920 in OH, Died 2020
County of enlistment: Clarksburg, WV
Other residence(s): Marietta, OH; AZ
United States Army, European Theatre of Operations
Occupation before the war: clerks, general office
College education before the war: 1 year
Delbert Weber was born on May 15, 1920, in Marietta OH, one of a pair of twin boys. He graduated from Marietta High School in 1938 where he had been an accomplished violinist; he and his brother were also one of twelve pairs of twins at MHS at the time!
After graduation he attended college for a year, and then went to work as a bookkeeper for Mahoney's Transfer. Deb, as he was known, registered for the draft on July 1, 1941. A few weeks later he married the love of his life, Berneda Mae Walters.
He enlisted on June 15, 1943 and served in the Ghost Army in the European Theatre as a supply sergeant. He was released from the Army on Armistice Day, November 11, 1945. His twin, Albert, also served in the Army during the war; he was stationed in the South Pacific.
Deb returned to Marietta and in 1946 started working for Remington Rand. He and Berneda purchased a lot in Marietta, and also a small house, and moved the house to the lot. He worked with his father to make the house a home, acquiring skills in plumbing, electrical, carpentry, and painting along the way. He and Berneda would go on to have three sons: Charles, William, and David.
Deb retired from Sperry Rand in 1985 as a transportation/shipping manager. After that, he and his wife split their time between Marietta and a winter home in Arizona, and traveled the West for over 25 years.
Berneda died in 2015 and Albert, then aged 95, moved into assisted living in Marietta. In May, 2020, he celebrated his 100th birthday with a party and a parade, with the Mayor of Marietta declaring his birthday as Delbert Weber Day. According to his obituary, when asked his secrets to longevity, he said: "(1) be kind to others, treat them as you would want to be treated, (2) work hard and exercise every day, and (3) eat right." His hobbies and interests included boating, gardening, biking, camping, traveling, and card playing.
Delbert died on November 26, 2020, at home.
Photo:
1938 high school yearbook
Sources:
1941 draft card
1941 marriage record
1943 enlistment record
2019 article in the Marietta Times (OH) re his service in the Ghost Army
https://www.mariettatimes.com/news/2019/06/marietta-d-day-survivor-was-part-of-ghost-army/
2020 article in the Marietta Times (OH) re his 100th birthday
https://www.mariettatimes.com/news/neighborhood-news/2020/04/100th-birthday/
2020 obituary in the Marietta Times (OH)