World War II Honoree

George E. Preddy, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Greensboro, North Carolina

Honored By

Major Joseph W. Noah

Relationship

Cousin

MAJOR. FIGHTER PILOT ON P-40, P-47, P-51. SERVED WITH 49TH PURSUIT GROUP IN AUSTRALIA AND 352ND FIGHTER GROUP IN ENGLAND AND BELGIUM. TOP MUSTANG P-51 ACE. SCORE: 26.83 AERIAL, PLUS 5 GROUND VICTORIES. SERVED AS COMMANDING OFFICER OF 328TH FIGHTER SQUADRON, WHEN KILLED IN ACTION ON CHRISTMAS DAY 1944, BY ALLIED ANTI-AIRCRAFT FIRE. BURIED AT LORRAINE AMERICAN MILITARY CEMETERY IN ST. AVOLD, FRANCE. EARNED THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS WHEN HE SHOT DOWN SIX ME-109 ON AUGUST 6, 1944, THE SILVER STAR WITH 1 OAK LEAF CLUSTER, THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS WITH 8 OAK LEAF CLUSTERS, THE AIR MEDAL WITH 7 OAK LEAF CLUSTERS AND POSTHUMOUSLY AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART AND THE BELGIAN CROIX DE GUERRE. HE FLEW 143 COMBAT MISSIONS AND 532 COMBAT HOURS.