George Napier Spaven Jr
Military ROLL OF HONOUR
Object Number - UPL 13290 - George N Spaven Jr.
Crashed while attempting to land at Warton (Neaton) upon returning from a combat mission in B-24 41-28729 on 8 March 1944. Returned to duty (RTD). George Spaven was Pilot of 41-29273 'Flak Magnet' on the 22 April 1944 mission. Hit by flak at approximately 19:38 hours SW of Hamm, Germany, the Liberator's #2 engine caught fire and A/C fell out of formation. Four chutes were seen, though bale out had not been called. A/C then was brought under control, regained altitude and re-joined formation. After an undetermined period of time, A/C was observed to leave formation and head west, still under control. Tailed and shot down by FW190 'Red 23' of Major Heinz Bär of II/JG1. Pilot Lt George Spaven Jr was hit by bullets in the final attack by Heinz Bar and held the plane steady to allow all crew members to bale out. George Spaven was killed in the crash, near Hoetmar, Germany. Killed In Action (KIA).
Awards: AM (OLC), PH.
Connections
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Units served with
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 458th Bomb Group 753rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 39604346 at enlistment, then O-682501
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 458th Bomb Group 753rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17159837
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 458th Bomb Group 753rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16092460
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 458th Bomb Group 753rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 33192630
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 458th Bomb Group 753rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-811278
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
Aircraft
Missions
Places
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Enlisted |
Richmond, VA | 2 May 1941 | Richmond, Virginia |
|
Died |
22 April 1944 | Killed in the crash of B-24H 41-29273 near Hoetmar, Germany. Killed In Action (KIA) | |
|
Buried |
Hoetmar, Germany | 23 April 1944 | in the village cemetery of Hoetmar, Warendorf District, Germany |
|
Born |
North Carolina | Son of George Napier Sr and Amanda Spaven. | |
| Front Royal, Warren County, VA | |||
|
Buried |
Netherlands American Cemetery | George Spaven’s remains were brought to The Netherlands after the war. He rests at the Margraten Cemetery, Plot D, Row 12, Grave 12 |
Revisions
Removed # from A/C serial No. to aid clarity and consistency.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56304124/george-n-spaven
MACR 4180
WWII Enlistment records
Downed Allied Aircraft Kampfflugzeug Unterlagen (KU) Reports KU 1487 at https://catalog.archives.gov/id/139542878
ABMC website
Brought in sources from duplicate record:
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 4180, Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces & Page 282 of the book LIBERATORS OVER NORWICH by Mackay, Bailry & Scorza, 2010,
href="http://www.458bg.com/crew33spaven.htmD790G4582010">http://www.458bg.com/crew33spaven.htmD790G4582010>
MACR 4180 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database