Pfc. George Earl Flight was born in Chicago, Illinois, on June 30, 1919, to Earl J. Flight and Anna M. Carrick-Flight and had a sister and a brother. The family resided at 1410 Marengo Avenue – Forest Park, Illinois. He graduated from Field Stevenson School in Forest Park and then Proviso Township High School, Maywood, in 1937. After high school, he worked for the Belgard Spero Incorporated in Chicago; an eyeglass company. When the Selective Service Act took effect on October 16, 1940, he registered for the draft and named his mother as his contact person.
On July 22, 1941, he was inducted into the US Army, in Chicago, and sent to Fort Knox, Kentucky for basic training – where he trained in tanks – and was issued the serial number 36 042 960. He was sent to Camp Polk, Louisiana, where he joined Company A, 36th Armored Regiment, 3rd Armor Division which had been activated on July 1st. His unit went for desert training at Camp Young, California, and next to Camp Pickett, Virginia. From Camp Pickett, the 36th went to Indiantown Gap Military Reservation, Pennsylvania.
The 3rd Armored Division landed in England on September 13, 1943, but did not take part in D-Day. The first units of the 3rd landed in France on June 28, 1944, and some of its units saw combat on the 29th. The rest of the division saw it July 9th. It was during the Battle of St-Lo, which started on July 7th, that George was killed on July 10, 1944, when he was hit by gun fire in his left shoulder and back. George was buried in the La Cambe Cemetery, Le Cambe, France, in Plot Q, Row 7, Grave 62. His grave was marked with a stake with one of his government issued identification tags on it. He was reported Missing in Action that same day. His parents were notified he was MIA on July 28th.
MRS ANNA M FLIGHT
1410 MARENGO AVENUE
FOREST PARK ILLINOIS
THE SECRETRAY OF WAR DESIRES ME TO EXPRESS HIS DEEP REGRET THAT YOUR SON PRIVATED FIRST CLASS GEORGE E FLIGHT HAS BEEN REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION SINCE NINE JULY IN FRANCE IF FURHTER DETAILS OR INFOMRATION ARE RECEIVED YOU WILL BE PROMPTLY NOTIFED=
ULIO THE ADJUSTANT GENERAL.
On August 9, 1944, The War Department learned that George had been Killed in Action on July 9, 1944, so another telegram was sent to his mother.
MRS ANNA M FLIGHT
1410 MARENGO AVENUE
FOREST PARK ILLINOIS
THE SECRETARY OF WAR ASKS THAT I ASSURE YOU OF HIS DEEP SYMPATHY IN THE LOSS OF YOUR SON PRIVATE FIST CLASS GEORGE E FLIGHT WHO PREVIOUSLY WAS REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION REPORT NOW RECEIVED STATES HE WAS KILLED IN ACTION NINE JULY IN EUROPEAN AREA CONFIRMING LETTER FOLLOWS=
J A ULIO THE ADJUTANT GENERAL
The exact date is not known, but his mother received this letter.
Mrs. Anna M. Flight
1410 Marengo Avenue
Forest Park, Illinois
Dear Mrs. Flight:
It is with profound regret that I confirm the recent telegram informing you of the death of your son, Private First Class George E. Flight, 36, 042, 960, Armored Regiment, who was previously reported to be missing in action on 29 July 1944 in France.
An official message has now been received which states that he was killed in action on the date he was previously reported missing in action. Recently provisions were made whereby there will be sent directly to the emergency addressee or the next of kin a letter containing further information about each person who dies overseas in the service of our country, and if this letter has not already been received, it may be expected soon.
I realized the burden of the anxiety that has been yours since he was first reported missing in action and deeply regret the sorrow this later report brings you. May the knowledge that he made the supreme sacrifice for his home and country be a source of sustaining comfort.
My sympathy is with you in this time of great sorrow.
Sincerely yours,
(Signed)
J. A. Ulio
Major General
The Adjutant General
His parents received that letter, from the Office of the Quartermaster General, Washington DC, dated October 5, 1945, stating that no new information was available detailing the events that led to George’s death. On October 18th, his mother received another letter telling her where George was buried and the location of his grave in the cemetery. In a letter dated, July 31, 1947, his father – who according military regulations – who was his next of kin, received a letter providing him with options for George’s final burial since the military cemeteries were being consolidated. He was asked to fill-out and return to the Office of the Quartermaster General, Washington DC, indicating where he wanted George buried.
The form was received by the OQNG on August 29, 1947, indicating that his parents wanted George buried Oak Ridge Cemetery in Hillside, Illinois. George’s remains were disinterred, on December 12, 1947, and sent to the Cherbourg, for casketing the same day. His casket was placed on the the USAT John L. McCarley on March 10, 1948, which sailed the same day. It arrived in the New York Port of Entry on April 5, 1948, and on the 10th his casket was sent by train, with a military escort, sent to the Quartermaster Corps Distribution Center #8, Chicago arriving on April 12th. On May 3, by a military hearse with a military escort, his casket was taken to the Parkwyn Funeral Home, Berwyn, Illinois. Two days later, on May 5, 1948, Pfc. George E. Flight was buried at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Hillside, Illinois, Section 13, Lot 4, Grave 3.
