George Whitney Hawkes

Military ROLL OF HONOUR

Killed in Action (KIA), went on secret leaflet mission on 3 Jan 45, his plane was to make a run over Holland, participating in psychological warfare by dropping leaflets which included a holiday message from the Dutch Queen and reports of how the war had turned in favor of the Allies. The plane had a malfunction 5 minutes after takeoff and crashed in the village of Aston-Clinton and exploded on impact. All 10 crew members were killed



Awards: PH.

Connections

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Units served with

A Swedish Soldier guards a B-24 Liberator (serial number 44-40159) nicknamed "Boulder Buff" of the 492nd Bomb Group that has landed in Sweden.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 492nd Bomb Group 406th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19151770 / O-775027
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

The nose art of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-52650) nicknamed "Cancer ?" of the 486th Bomb Group. The nose art was painted by the artist Phillip S Brinkman.
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Cancer
  • Unit: 406th Bomb Group 458th Bomb Group 486th Bomb Group 492nd Bomb Group 801st Bomb Group 406th Bomb Squadron 834th Bomb Squadron 835th Bomb Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Greenlawn, NY, USA 1 December 1925 Son of Ralph L and Pearle L Hawkes.

Enlisted

Devens, MA, USA 1 February 1944 Fort Devens Massachusetts

Died

Aston Clinton, UK 1 March 1945 Crashed Aston Clinton in B-24 42-52650 Killed in Action (KIA). MACR 15974

Based

Harrington 3 January 1945 Assigned to 406BS, 492BG, 8AF USAAF.

Buried

Baldwinville, MA 01436, USA Greenlawn cemetery Templeton Worcester County Baldwinville, MA