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.

Service

Events

Event	Location	Date
Born	North Carolina	1920
Son of George Napier Sr and Amanda Spaven.
Lived in	Front Royal, Warren County, VA	1941
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
Buried	Netherlands American Cemetery	1946
George Spaven’s remains were brought to The Netherlands after the war. He rests at the Margraten Cemetery, Plot D, Row 12, Grave 12