World War II Honoree

George Francis Gear

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Bridgeport, Pennsylvania

Honored By

James Kilpatrick

Relationship

Grand-Nephew

B-17 Crew Chief in England (Eighth Air Force/Third Bombardment Division/390th Bomber Group). Enlisted: 8/29/1942; Released: 9/2/1945. Based in Parham, England, the 390th group flew 301 combat missions, between July 1943 and the end of the war, against German military targets. The group was awarded two Presidential Unit Citations, eight Streamers and many commendations. For every flyer there were 20 or so people on the ground supporting every aspect of the missions.