World War II Honoree

George D. Page

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Greenwood, South Carolina

Honored By

George D. Page, Jr.

Relationship

Son

ENTERED IN JUNE, 1943. SENT TO COMBAT DUTY IN OKINAWA AS A SURGEON WITH THE 125TH INFANTRY BATTALION. ON SEPTEMBER 1, 1945, AN AMERICAN PLANE CARRYING 39 JAPANESE INTERPRETERS TO ASSIST GENERAL MCARTHUR WITH SURRENDER CEREMONIES THE NEXT DAY ABOARD THE MISSOURI CRASHED AND BURNED ON LANDING IN OKINAWA. ALTHOUGH ALL ABOARD DIED, AT GREAT RISK TO HIMSELF, HE MANAGED TO PULL ALL OF THE BODIES FROM THE PLANE BEFORE IT EXPLODED. FOR THIS ACT HE WAS AWARDED THE SOLDIER'S MEDAL FOR HEROISM. AFTER THE SURRENDER HE SERVED WITH THE OCCUPATION FORCES IN SEOUL, KOREA UNTIL HE WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A MAJOR IN 1947.