George W Rarey
Military ROLL OF HONOUR
Object Number - UPL 51931 - George W. Rarey, 379th FS, 362nd FG, 9th AAF in front of his P-47 "Damon's Demon", photographed close to date of his death in June 1944.
George Rarey served as a fighter pilot with the 379th Fighter Squadron of the 362nd Fighter Group. He was a popular pilot who painted nose art on up to 30 different aircraft of the squadron. On 27 June 1944, he was Killed in Action when flak exploded near his aircraft.
He is buried in Normandy American Cemetery. He left behind his wife Betty Lou and son Damon, who he never got the chance to meet. His son, Damon, later published a book full of his father’s wartime sketches and cartoons entitled “Laughter and Tears.”
His life story can be read here: http://abmc.nomadmobileguides.com/Normandy.php?page=narrative&id=cont-2…
There is a memorial dedication to him where he died at Villers- Bocage, France.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Nicknames: Damon's Demon, Archie and Mehatibel
- Unit: 362nd Fighter Group 379th Fighter Squadron
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Died |
14310 Villers-Bocage, France | 27 June 1944 | |
|
Other Entered service from |
New York, USA | Exact date not yet known | |
|
Buried |
Plot F Row 14 Grave 25 |
Revisions
Rarey, Damon: "Laughter and Tears". Vision Books Intl., 1996
ISBN 10: 1565500571
ISBN-13: 978-1565500570
9th Air Force Roll of Honor (IWM in liaison with Ninth Air Force veterans and group associations, American Battle Monuments Commission, and Buddies of the Ninth Association) / Gianneschi history, Mr V J Lewis, Mrs L S Chamberlain (niece)
