Local WWII artilleryman lost life in final allied push into Germany
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WESEL, Germany -- Earl Joseph George was a native son of Juniata Terrace, Granville Township who died in the line of duty at Kamp-Lintfort, Germany on March 28, 1945 during the Allies' Operation Plunder across the Rhine River into the German fatherland. George was a Technician Fifth Grade assigned to the 131st Anti-Aircraft Artillery Gun Battalion which used 90mm high velocity guns and 50 caliber machine guns. The Allies' push into Germany was launched by a massive artillery barrage across the Rhine River on March 24, 1945. This was followed by nearly 900 escort fighters, 1,700 transport planes, and 1,400 gliders bringing over 21,000 paratroopers and glider men to the attack.
George received battalion training at Fort Bliss, Texas and Camp Livingston, Louisiana before deployment from New York to the European Theater of Operations in April 1943. Training continued at Camp Blackshaw Moor, Staffordshire, England until his unit boarded LSTs at the Port of Weymouth. The battalion landed at Utah Beach during the invasion of Normandy, France and supported the US First and Ninth Armies through France, Belgium, including the Battle of the Bulge, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Germany.
George's unit established a gun defense during the Battle of the Bulge along the Meuse River at Dinant, Belgium where it participated in heavy engagement with enemy forces. The battalion relocated to Luxembourg followed by a move to Maastricht, Netherlands where they met continual enemy fire by 192 German aircraft and 742 aerial buzz bombs.
George died from non-battle-related causes near Wesel, Germany. The circumstances surrounding his death are unknown. His final resting place is the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial, Margraten, Netherlands.
George was born Sept. 26, 1922 in Portage, Pennsylvania to Cambria County natives Lewis William and Elizabeth Matilda "Bessie" James George. He was raised in Mifflin County. He had six older sisters, two younger sisters, one older brother, and one younger brother, Russell, who served with the Army as Technician Fifth Grade. Their father supported the household employed by American Viscose Corporation in Lewistown. George registered for the draft in Lewistown and enlisted in the Army in Altoona. Prior to enlistment, George was employed by Pressed Steel Car Company of Pittsburgh.
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Stories Behind the Stars memorials are accessible for free on the internet and via smart phone app at gravesites and cenotaphs. The non-profit organization is dedicated to honoring all 421,000 fallen Americans from World War II, including 31,000 from Pennsylvania. To volunteer or for more information, contact Kathy Harmon at kharmon@storiesbehindthestars.org or visit www.storiesbehindthestars.org.