World War II Honoree

George Newell Powell, Sr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Warren, Minnesota

Honored By

Sam E. Pennartz

MAJOR. ASSIGNED TO THE 5TH AIR FORCE, 49TH FIGHTER GROUP, HEADQUARTERS SQUADRON, AS THE GROUP EXECUTIVE OFFICER. INITIALLY ACTIVATED AS THE 49TH PURSUIT GROUP (INTERCEPTOR) ON 20 NOVEMBER 1940 AT SELFRIDGE FIELD, MICHIGAN. THE 49TH FIGHTER GROUP MOVED TO MORRISON FIELD, FLORIDA FOR TRAINING. HE LEFT THE SAN FRANCISCO PORT OF EMBARKATION ON 12 JANUARY 1942 BOUND FOR THE PACIFIC THEATERS OF OPERATION. DISEMBARKED ON 2 FEBRUARY 1942 AT PORT PHILLIP BAY IN MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA. ON 14 JUNE 1943 HE WAS RETURNING TO PORT MORESBY, NEW GUINEA AFTER AN R&R BREAK AT MACKAY, QUEENSLAND. HE DIED SHORTLY AFTER TAKE-OFF FROM MACKAY AIRFIELD WHEN A CONVERTED B-17C FLYING FORTRESS, BEING USED AS A TROOP TRANSPORT, CAUGHT FIRE AND CRASHED AT BAKERS CREEK, NEAR MACKAY, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA. HE IS INTERRED AT THE ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, FORT MEYER, VIRGINIA.