Memorial

More information

Before completing his high school education at Mackenzie High School, George Burger joined the Air Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve in Selfridge Field, Michigan. Six months prior to his acceptance and his 18th birthday, while continuing his courses of study and flying at the Detroit City Airport and various other flying schools around Detroit, he had over 100 hours logged to his credit. He received his basic training at Jefferson Barracks, then was assigned to the Iowa State College, Cedar Falls, Iowa, and from there was transferred to the Army Air Force training fields at Santa Ana, California, Tulare, California, Minster Field, California, and received his "wings" on 27 June 1944 at Douglas, Arizona. He was the youngest member of Class 44F and was number one in grades and ratings to receive his wings and the Second Lieutenant Commission. His first assignment was that of Pilot Instructor at Bakersfield, California and after two months he volunteerded and requested immediate overseas service. He was sent overseas in October 1944.

Due to a serious injury during his youth, he had a partially crippled left hand, but this handicap never stood in his way of anything he went out to accomplish. During his boyhood he spent much of his time designing and developing model planes and was awarded many prizes for his initiative in his field and insired many other young lads in his neighborhood. His lifetime ambition to be able to fly any type of plane had been accomplished - a career he intended to follow at the close of this war.

The aircraft collided with airplane #42-38035 and both were totally destroyed.

Eight crew members were killed, one man survived.

This was his 31st mission.

On 24 May 1946 the Burger-Stockton Post No. 6784 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the Unitied States was established in honor of Lt George C. Burger and Sgt Davis F. Stockton.