CW2 Robert L. George
11 January 1949 - 17 February 1999
[This
page contributed by his wife Linda George.]
CWO Bob George was born in Johnstown, PA, January 11, 1949. His parents, William D. and Jean L. George, moved the family to East Stroudsburg, PA when Bob was in elementary school. Bob’s sister, Nancy, rounded out the family of four. Bob graduated as a National Honor Society student from East Stroudsburg High School, also excelling in varsity sports where he lettered in baseball and basketball. Bob was voted the most valuable baseball player in his senior year. He was also a member of the school’s rifle team. Bob graduated from high school with a full academic scholarship to Pennsylvania State University to pursue a curriculum in dentistry. However, he decided to join the Army and become an Army Aviator and helicopter pilot. Bob graduated basic training at Ft. Polk, LA and flight school at Ft. Wolters, TX and Ft. Hunter, Ga. Upon completion of flight training he was assigned to the 281st Assault Helicopter Company at Nha Trang, South Vietnam, which supported special operations missions of the 5th Special Forces Group.
Upon his return from a one-year assignment with the 281st
AHC he married Linda P. LaBadie on May 4, 1970, before reporting to Ft.
Hunter/Ft. Stewart as a helicopter instructor pilot. The couple set up their
first home in nearby Savannah, Ga. Bob trained South Vietnamese pilots to fly
gunships. He was offered a direct
Army commission but turned it down. His
wife Linda recently stated that Bob had “already used up his nine lives over
there” and by accepting a commission another Vietnam tour would have been
likely. Upon leaving the service
Bob and Linda moved back to Pennsylvania where Bob became an engineer with
Instrument Specialties, a private company.
Bob was an avid sportsman and enjoyed golf, fishing, and hunting. He coached a baseball team and loved playing softball.
During his active and busy life he also restored his sports car and he
and Linda became fans of NASCAR racing. The
couple’s last race together was the inaugural at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Bob loved to travel the racing circuit. He and Linda also loved their
Doberman, TAZ.
The following is a personal written message from Linda,
Bob’s devoted wife, to a member of the 281st AHC Association’s
Memorial Committee: "Guess you can tell he was my hero and 'The Wind
Beneath My Wings', Bette Midler's song from the movie "Beaches". I never tire of talking about him. Since his death he has received the medal from the Order of
the Silver Rose. I don’t know how
much you all know about Bob’s Silver Star.
Jim Brown actually put Bob in for the Medal of Honor but because no one
was injured they knocked it down to a Silver Star.
Jim used to tell Bob that he should have shot him in the foot so he would
have gotten the Medal of Honor which he so richly deserved.”
Bob George and Jim Brown remained steadfast friends
throughout their lives since first serving together in Vietnam with the 281st
AHC. They both died of cancer
within nine days of each other. May
they rest in peace! Bob was
interred at Arlington National Cemetery, Section 68, Grave 2745.
His date of death was 17 February, 1999.
On April 16, 2001, Bob was among 27 deceased Vietnam veterans
honored by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund for their Third Annual “In
Memory Day Observance” for those who died as a result of their involvement in
the war, such as Agent Orange exposure, but not as a direct result of combat
wounds.
Bob’s awards include the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star with cluster, Air Medal with clusters, Purple Heart, enlisted Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal and various decorations. He won Expert and Sharpshooter badges for four different weapons and he wore the Army Aviator Badge with pride.
Bob, Taz, and Linda