Wesley E. Carter was born on November 2, 1917, in San Diego County, California. He was the son of Clarence Wesley Carter and Esta Elizabeth Worley Carter. He was a graduate of Pt. Loma High school and state college. At the time of entering the service, he was attending Santa Barbara state college. He was well known in San Diego, having been an amateur boxer representing the San Diego club in 1938 and 1939.
Wesley served in the 860th Bomber Squadron, 493rd Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Captain and Pilot on the B-17 #43-38308 during World War II. He was Killed in Action on September 12, 1944, after his airplane was shot down by flak and crashed at Ottersleben, southwest of Magdeburg, Germany. Five were Killed in Action, and five were taken as prisoners.
Wesley died after parachuting from his plane over Great Ottersleben. A witness, one of his crewmates, stated that Wesley was lynched by civilians before the Luftwaffe troops arrived, saving the witness's life but not Wesley's.
Cpt Carter is now buried in the Ardennes American Cemetery, Neupré, Belgium.
The men who were Killed in Action were:
Pilot: Capt Wes Carter
Co-pilot: Ivan Briggs
Radio Operator: Bob Bandfield
Waist gunner: Ernie Musser
Tail gunner: Kasper Simms
The POWs were:
Navigator: Jim Nichols
Bombardier: Henry Francis
Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Len Banther
Ball turret gunner: Matt McAda
Obs-Maj Bob Colligan
Source of information: www.findagrave.com, b17flyingfortress.de, www.abmc.gov