Mack Palmer, a retired pilot with the US Air Force, was recently in Malta seeking information about his Oklahoma 1940 high school classmate Claude Weaver, the youngest Allies' fighter ace of World War II.

Sgt Weaver had spent time in Malta after volunteering to form part of the Malta Squadron, which flew Spitfires from Qrendi.

While in Malta, Capt. Palmer saw the hut where Sgt Weaver slept, the runway from which his Spitfire took off and went to the Casino where the pilots danced on Saturday nights.

Pilot Officer Weaver shot down a number of aircraft before being killed in action when he was just 19 by 32-year-old Oberleutnant Gerhard Vogt.

Oberlt. Vogt, another ace pilot, was eventually shot down in 1945 by Capt. Robert Smith, who died this year. The late Capt. Smith only learned that the pilot he had downed was Oberlt. Vogt in 2001 following research by Capt. Palmer.

Before being shot down, Sgt Weaver was forced to land in Sicily and was held a prisoner of war for one year by the Italians.

In 1944, he was posthumously awarded a distinguished flying cross. His medal was presented to his next of kin a year later.

Capt. Palmer may be contacted on tel. 001 512 358 0912.

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