World War II Honoree

George J. Plava

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Adah, Pennsylvania

Honored By

George Plava

FROM 1942-1947 SERVED AS A C-47 TRANSPORT PILOT IN THE ASSAM VALLEY. WHILE SERVING AS CO-PILOT ON A C-46 CARRYING SUPPLIES FROM INDIA TO CHINA OVER THE HIMALAYAS (THE HUMP), JAPANESE ZEROS SHOT DOWN THE TRANSPORT PLANE ON OCTOBER 23, 1943. THE CREW LANDED IN THE BURMESE JUNGLE ABOUT 100 MILES FROM THE CHINESE BORDER. FOR 28 DAYS THE MEN, CONSIDERED MISSING IN ACTION, WERE LED THROUGH THE JUNGLE BY FRIENDLY NATIVES. AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART FOR WOUND RECEIVED DURING THE DOWNING OF THE C-46. RETIRED WITH THE RANK OF COLONEL.