World War II Database

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

ww2dbaseHarold Huston George was born in Lockport, New York, United States in 1892. He joined the New York National Guard in 1916, and was deployed, with the 3rd New York Infantry Regiment, to the US-Mexico border during the Pancho Villa crisis. In 1917, he joined the Aviation Section of US Army Signal Corps as a cadet, and by the end of that year he had completed flight training and was sent to France as the commanding officer of the 201st Aero Squadron. He saw combat for the first time in Aug 1918 as a member of 185th Aero Squadron, and he was later transferred to 139th Aero Squadron. He scored his first victory on 27 Oct 1918 near Bantheville, France, and by the end of WW1 he had become an ace. He received the Distinguished Service Cross medal in 1919 for his WW1 service. He married Vera McKenna in Apr 1919; they would have two children together. In Nov 1919, he was made the commanding officer of 19th Pursuit Squadron at March Field, California, United States. In 1920, he was promoted to the rank of captain. Between 1922 and Mar 1925, he was the Air Service Officer to the 104th Division at Fort Douglas, Utah, United States. In Mar 1925, he was transferred to the Advanced Flying School at Kelly Field, Texas, United States, where he first served as an instructor, then was made commanding officer of the 43rd School Squadron, and finally, in Jul 1929, the Chief of Pursuit Instruction. Between 1929 and 1931, he was the operations officer of 24th Pursuit Squadron and then the commanding officer of 7th Observation Squadrons, based in France Field, Panama Canal Zone. In Jun 1932, he was made the commanding officer of the 33rd Pursuit Squadron in Langley Field, Virginia, United States. In 1933, he served as the operations officer of the 8th Pursuit Group. In 1934, he commanded a sector of the Eastern Zone of Army Air Corps Mail Operation. Between Sep 1936 and Jun 1937, he attended the Air Corps Tactical School at Maxwell Field, Alabama, United States. Between late 1937 and 1938, he attended the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, United States. In 1939, he was made the commanding officer of 94th Pursuit Squadron based at Selfridge Field, Michigan, United States. In Feb 1940, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel and was made the commanding officer of 31st Pursuit Group, which was newly established at Selfridge Field. In Oct 1940, he was promoted to the rank of colonel. He arrived in Manila, Philippine Islands in May 1941 as the chief of staff for Brigadier General Henry Clagett. In mid-Dec 1941, after the outbreak of the Pacific War, George was made the commanding officer of 5th Interceptor Command (Provisional) based on Luzon island of the Philippine Islands. After Clagett's departure in mid-Dec 1941, George was the de factor commanding officer of all US Army aviation units in the Philippine Islands. While on the Bataan peninsula, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general. In Mar 1942, he was evacuated, by PT boat, out of Corregidor island, Philippine Islands. He was awarded the Silver Star for his role in the failed defense of Corregidor. In Apr 1942, at Batchelor Field, Northern Territory, Australia, a 49th Fighter Group P-40 fighter lost control during takeoff and struck a parked C-40 transport, which in turn struck three men, including George. He passed away from his injuries several days after the accident. He was ultimately buried at the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, United States.

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2.  C. Peter Chen says:
12 Mar 2021 10:10:33 AM

To Anonymous of 11 Mar 2021: Thank you for pointing that out. The typographical error has been corrected.