World War II Honoree

George J. Bean, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Linden, New Jersey

Honored By

Self

ENLISTED AUGUST 21, 1942 AT THE NEWARK, NEW JERSEY ARMORY. SWORN IN AT FORT DIX, NEW JERSEY. ISSUED UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT AND TOOK IQ TEST. TOOK BASIC TRAINING AND QUALIFYING TESTS IN ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY. OBTAINED 'EXCELLENT' RATING IN 15 WEEK AIRPLANE MECHANIC TRAINING AT ARMY AIRFORCE TACTICAL CENTER JOHNSON FIELD, NORTH CAROLINA AND DURING 5 WEEK ADVANCED MECHANIC TRAINING AT ARMY AIRFORCE TACTICAL CENTER CURTIS WRIGHT, MISSOURI. TRAINED IN AERIAL GUNNERY FOR 5 WEEKS AT HARLINGEN AERIAL GUNNERY SCHOOL (HAGS) HARLINGEN, TEXAS. DEPARTED U.S. ON 21 DECEMBER 1943 FOR THE SOUTHWEST PACIFIC, ARRIVING AT DESTINATION 8 FEBRUARY 1944. ASSIGNED TO THE 13TH ARMY AIR CORPS 69TH BOMB SQUADRON. FLEW 78 COMBAT MISSIONS ON A B-25 MITCHELL BOMBER. PARTICIPATED IN 5 CAMPAIGNS AND BATTLES INVOLVING THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION, EAST INDIES NORTHERN SOLOMON ISLANDS, BISMARCK-ARCHIPELAGO NEW GUINEA. IN RECOGNITION OF SERVICE TO HIS COUNTRY AWARDED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AIR MEDAL WITH SILVER AND BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTER, PHILIPPINE LIBERATION RIBBON, 45 CALIBER PISTOL MEDAL, AERIAL GUNNER WINGS LAPEL BUTTON AND THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN RIBBON. DEPARTED THE SOUTHWEST PACIFIC ON 10 MARCH 1945 AND ARRIVED IN THE UNITED STATES 3 APRIL 45. HONORABLY DISCHARGED WITH THE RANK OF SERGEANT 24 MAY 1945 AT THE FORT DIX, NEW JERSEY SEPARATION CENTER.