George Anthony Eisel Jr
MilitaryNARA Ref 342-FH-3A28664-23101AC.
SSgt. George Eisel was the only survivor of the non-combat crash of his B-24, Hot Stuff. After completing their 25 combat missions, Eisel, as part of the crew of, B-24 41-23728 Hot Stuff, was tasked with flying General Frank Andrews, commanding general of the USAAF in the ETO, back to the U.S. and report for a war bond tour in the States. The plane, Hot Stuff, crashed in bad weather in Iceland, killing all but Tail Gunner Eisel. 3-May-43
Earlier, Eisel had survived another crash as a tail gunner. That crash was a dead stick landing in the desert with his pilot, 1st Lt. John R. "Packy" Roche, the pilot of the B-24D, 41-23909, Ambrose II. Eisel was known to be an excellent tail gunner with 8 x unofficial kills, who held his fire until the Axis fighter pilots moved in close. Eisel's combat career ended with this crash. He was hospitalized in the States, but survived his injuries.
Awards: DFC, AM (3OLC), PH, WWII Victory, EAME (2 x Battle Stars).
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 330th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 15066095 / O-789244
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 330th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-437649
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 330th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-437644
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Franklin County, OH, USA | 3 January 1910 | Son of George A Sr and Cornelia A [Ranft] Eisel. |
Enlisted |
Columbus, OH, USA | 23 February 1942 | Fort Hayes, Columbus, Ohio |
Other Survived crash |
Mt Fagradalsfjall, Iceland | 3 May 1943 | Sole survivor of B-24D 41-23728 'Hot Stuff' crash on Mount Fagradalsfjall on the Reykjanes peninsula, Iceland. |
Other Awarded DFC |
Iceland | 29 June 1943 | Received DFC award in Iceland. |
Died |
San Diego, CA, USA | 25 February 1964 | |
Buried |
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery San Diego CA | 28 February 1964 | Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery San Diego California, USA |
Based |
Hardwick | Assigned to 330BS, 93BG, 8AF USAAF. | |
Other Hospitalised |
United States | Hospitalised Stateside. |
Revisions
Punctuation removed from aircraft name for clarity. Details added. - Kickapoo
Added a "#" to the A/C serial number in the "Summary biography" for clarity.
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Losses of the 8th and 9th AFs, Vol 1 by Bishop and Hey, p. 114;Ted's Travelling Circus by Carroll Stewart, Chapter 11 'Tragedy in Iceland' pp. 111-118, picture p. 116