World War II Honoree

George F. Beele

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Springfield, Massachusetts

Honored By

A Grateful Dutchman

1ST LIEUTENANT, 407TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 102ND OZARK DIVISION, LEADING COMPANY B IN NOVEMBER 1944. AWARDED WITH THE SILVER STAR MEDAL: NEAR GEREONSWEILER, GERMANY, HE RESCUED MUCH NEEDED EQUIPMENT AND AMMUNITION. DROVE A BURNING AMMUNITION TRUCK TO A SAFE AREA, THEREBY SAVING MANY LIVES. LATER, NEAR WELZ, HE ASSUMED COMMAND OF HIS COMPANY, LEADING HIS MEN THROUGH INTENSE ARTILLERY FIRE TO ROUT THE ENEMY. RENDERED FIRST AID TO THE WOUNDED, REORGANIZED HIS COMPANY AND CAPTURED ANOTHER VILLAGE. HE WAS KILLED IN ACTION NEAR ERKELENZ ON FEBRUARY 26, 1945 WHILE CLEARING THE PATH TO THE RHINE. PURPLE HEART. BURIED IN THE NETHERLANDS.