23Mar1912 – 15Jan1945
Edison Days
George graduated with the Class of June 1933. He was a very good football player, and he was mentioned in the Minneapolis papers several times his senior year.
Little is known about his time after Edison and before joining the Army, but he was a member of the Twin City Amateur football league champions.
Military Service
Rank: Private
Branch: United States Army
Unit: F Company – 2nd Battalion – 362nd Infantry Regiment – 91st Infantry Division
George entered service with the US Army in July 1943. His unit landed in North Africa in April/May 1944 and spent several weeks training before moving to Italy. The entire division was in Italy by 19Jun1944.
From a unit history of the 91st Infantry Division:
On 12 July, the Division fought as a unit near Chianni, Italy, for the high ground dominating the Arno River. By the 19th it had reached the river. The 363d RCT participated in the capture of Livorno, 19 July, and in a quick thrust to the north, two units entered Pisa, 24 July. From 24 July to 12 September 1944, the 91st held their positions along the Arno while they underwent extensive training. On the 13th, the Division attacked the Gothic Line, took Monticelli, 18 September, and advanced to the Santerno River through stubborn resistance, 23 September. Moving through rocky escarpments and other natural barriers as well as heavy opposition, the 91st occupied Livergnano, 13 October. The offensive was canceled, however, and the 91st assumed defensive positions below Pianoro, 31 October.
During November, the 91st remained on the defensive, sending out small patrols. After resting in December, the Division returned to the line and maintained a static defensive front.
It was while maintaining defensive positions on the static front that George was killed by an air burst artillery shell. George was the only man killed that day.
Geroge is buried at the Florence American Cemetery and Memorial in Firenze, Italy.
Edison Heroes 