Joshua Weter was born on July 28, 1974, in Wichita Falls, Texas. After graduating from Central High School in Rapid City, South Dakota with the Class of 1992, Joshua enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on December 15, 1992, and completed basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas, in February 1993. A1C Weter next attended Airborne Missions Systems training at Keesler AFB, Mississippi, from March to November 1993, followed by E-3 Sentry Computer Display Maintenance Technician aircrew training at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma, from November 1993 to July 1994. His first assignment was as an E-3 AWACS display maintenance technician with the 962nd Airborne Air Control Squadron at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, from August 1994 until he was killed in the crash of an E-3B Sentry (Call Sign "Yukla 27") shortly after takeoff from Elmendorf AFB on September 22, 1995. SrA Weter's remains were cremated and scattered in New Orleans, Louisiana. He had 484 hours of flight time in the E-3 Sentry at the time of his death.

His Meritorious Service Medal Citation reads:

Members of Flight Yukla 27 distinguished themselves in the performance of outstanding service to the United States and Canada while serving as E-3 Airborne Warning and Air Control Systems air crew members assigned to 3rd Wing, 962nd Airborne Air Control Squadron and the 381st Air Intelligence Squadron, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. They consistantly demonstrated outstanding airmanship while providing long range airborne surveillance, detection, identification, and command and control during deployed operations and in the Alaska region. All were dedicated volunteers selflessly serving, and fully committed to the defense of their nations and the Alaska region. Our memory of these airmen will forever be of professionals who stepped to the front and answered the call to duty and made the ultimate sacrifice in the cause of peace and freedom. The distinctive accomplishments of each of these individuals reflect credit upon themselves, the United States Air Force, and Canadian Forces.