George G. "Neff" Neffinger left the seminary to join the Army Air Corps in March 1941. He earned his wings that same year and became a flight instructor shortly after, training cadets in BT-13's. He wanted to fly in combat, but was given a staff job with the 15th AF and was stationed in Italy in February of 1944, where he was qualified to fly the B-25. He finally got the combat assignment he sought when he was placed with the 14th FG, 48th FS in July of 1944, flying P-38's. In March of 1945, he was the squadron operations officer, and flew 8 combat missions as group leader, and returned to the U.S. in March of 1945, with 50 missions completed. He continued his career as a USAF officer and retired in 1962 with the rank of Lt. Col.