Joseph F. Weber

Staff Sergeant Joseph F. Weber, 25, of 8th Avenue in Pine Hill, was killed in action in Belgium on January 15, 1945, in fighting at Grand-Halleux, while serving with the 291st Infantry Regiment, 75th Infantry Division. Prior to entering the military he was employed at the Baldwin Locomotive Works.

Joseph Weber was born in Philadelphia, Pa. in 1919 to Charles F. and Agnes M. Weber. At the time of the 1920 census the family owned a home at 3517 G Street in Philadelphia. Charles Weber moved his family to New Jersey around 1924, and in 1930 the family owned a home at 607 Erial Road, between 7th and 8th Avenues, in Pine Hill, N.J. Charles Weber was then working as a machinist for a sheet metal supplier. He was inducted into the United States Army on June 12, 1942. He had taken an aviation course at Senn College, Cleveland, Ohio prior to being transferred to the infantry. He was sent overseas on November 3, 1944.

The sector of Grand-Halleux was assigned to the 291st Infantry Regiment. On the morning of Sunday, January 15, 1945, the 2nd Battalion (less F. Co. in battalion reserve) advanced across the open fields to attack the Germans. The 291st had been ordered to fix bayonets and attack across 400–500 yards of open field into the heavily defended woods with an entrenched and camouflaged enemy facing the field. The American infantrymen were suddenly met by overwhelming mortar, machine gun, and rifle fire. In their olive drab against the white snow, the infantrymen were easy and conspicuous targets. Pinned down most of the day, the battalion suffered heavy losses during that tragic day.

Joseph Weber was brought home after the war. He was buried at New St. Mary’s Cemetery in Bellmawr, N.J. on November 19, 1947. He was awarded the Purple Heart. Joseph Weber was survived by his mother, Mrs. Agnes Weber; two brothers, Harry and Francis Weber; and three sisters, Mrs. Agnes Weldon of Philadelphia, and Misses Agnes and Margaret Weber of Pine Hill, N.J. He is remembered on the Pine Hill, N.J. War Memorial.