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Personal info

Full name
COLTS, George Edward
Date of birth
16 February 1926
Age
19
Place of birth
Oneida, Madison County, New York
Hometown
Jamestown, Chautauqua County, New York

Military service

Service number
42119208
Rank
Private
Function
Rifleman
Unit
B Company,
1st Battalion,
507th Parachute Infantry Regiment,
17th Airborne Division
Awards
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
27 March 1945
Place of death
Wesel, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Plot Row Grave
C 7 5

Immediate family

Members
George A. Colts (father)
Clara E. (Rizzo) Colts (mother)
Mabel C. Colts (sister)
Mary Colts (sister)
Violet Colts (sister)
Charles Colts (brother)
Donald Colts (brother)

More information

Pvt George E. Colts attended Lincoln Junior High School and was employed by the Watson Manufacturing Company. He enlisted at Fort Dix, New Jersey on 3 May 1944.

Pvt George E. Colts was aboard a C47 in the lead Serial A-1, 438th TCG. It was scheduled to drop the paratroopers on Drop Zone W. The serial lost its way in the smokescreen, which led to the 1st Battalion being dropped in the vicinity of Diersfordt. After landing safely, his company advanced towards the west side of Wesel, where he was killed.

Source of information: Tom Verheijden, John T. Gerlosky, Terry Hirsch, ww2-airborne.us, www.ancestry.com - 1940 Census, Bloss-Lalone Family Tree, Larry Ellis Family Tree, WWII Enlistment Records, Headstone and Interment Record, U.S. City Directories, 1942, Jamestown, New York; 17th Airborne Division Historical Report of Operation Varsity

Photo source: Tom Verheijden, Sara Heydlauff