PVT George T. Vathis

Today we honor and remember PVT George T. Vathis of the 101st Airborne Division.

Private (PVT) George Theodore Vathis of George Company, 3rd Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), was born in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, to Theodore and Katina Vathis on March 28, 1922. George was their oldest son. He had two brothers, Edward and Roland T. Vathis.

George was a graduate of Cooley High School, which was located at the intersection of Hubbell Avenue and Chalfonte Street, on the northwest side of Detroit. He signed up for the draft, also in Detroit, on June 30, 1942. At the time, he worked at the manufacturing division of the Chrysler Corporation at Highland Park. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on December 10, 1942.

George volunteered for paratroop duty and was assigned to the 501st PIR. Like all other Geronimos, his training took place at Camp Toccoa and Fort Benning, both located in Georgia and then at Camp Mackall, North Carolina. He left the United States with the 501st on the USNS Goethals, sailing overseas to the United Kingdom from Boston Harbor, arriving in Glasgow, Scotland, on January 30, 1944.

After more rigorous training in England, PVT Vathis boarded a C-47 at Welford Airfield, Berkshire, on the evening of June 5, 1944. At around 2245 hours, the 45 planes of the 3rd Battalion took off, heading for Drop Zone C, which was a little to the north of Hiesville, Normandy.

PVT Vathis and the other 16 paratroopers of his stick never had the chance to prove their mettle in combat as their plane was shot down by German Anti-Aircraft fire and crashed. Together with the four-man crew, all paratroopers aboard the ship perished on the morning of D-Day, June 6, 1944.

Seventeen of the Screaming Eagles had soared to the ultimate height. 🦅

Courtesy of St Michael’s Servant

PVT George Vathis died at the age of 22. He was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart Medal.

After his initial burial in the temporary Military Cemetery of Blosville, France, at Plot C, Row 3, Grave 43, he was later reburied at White Chapel Memorial Park Cemetery, Troy, Oakland County, Michigan. May he rest in peace.

Happy Birthday in Heaven, George.

Lest we forget. 🇺🇸

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The sources used for this article are known to the author and available on request.