World War II Chronicle

World War II Chronicle: April 30, 1942

Former World War I ace Brig. Gen. Harold H. “Pursuit” George — not to be confused with Brig. Gen. Harold L. “Bomber” George — has been killed in a plane crash in Australia (story on page two). George assumed command of the Far East Air Force in December 1941 and MacArthur pinned stars on George1See “Rank of Brigadier To Reward 5 Colonels For Service at Batan” on page four of the Jan. 25, 1942 World War II Chronicle in January 1942. He evacuated Bataan by PT boat just last month.

George earned the Distinguished Service Cross during the First World War

The general was among several passengers unloading from a Lockheed Electra transport when a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk blew a tire during takeoff and lost control. The fighter slammed into the transport and killing George and two others. The Air Force will name George Air Force Base (Victorville, Calif.) in his honor…

George was rescued by PT-32, commanded by Lt. (j.g.) Vincent E. Schumacher. MacArthur’s PT boat captain, Lt. John D. Bulkely, is discussed in an interview with someone who knew the now-famous PT boat skipper (page eight). Schumacher, a 1938 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, earned the Silver Star for his role in the evacuations and a second while aboard the submarine USS Thresher. He makes captain, and in 1966 will serve as Chief of Staff for Commander U.S. Naval Forces, Vietnam, and Chief, Naval Advisory Group, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam…

Before her crew was evacuated by the submarine USS Permit on March 13 they scuttled PT-32 so she wouldn’t fall into enemy hands

George Fielding Eliot analyzes the strategic significance of the French colony of Madagascar (page 13), and floats the possibility of the Japanese seizing it. The African island is home to the only fortified and fully functional naval base in the Indian Ocean… Sports on page 42… On the next page, some big names are facing off in tomorrow’s game between Norfolk Naval Training Station’s and Camp Lee. Bob Feller is on the mound for the sailors and faces Porter Vaughn, formerly of the Philadelphia Athletics. Feller’s old Indians roommate Soup Campbell also plays for Camp Lee and former A’s star center fielder Sam Chapman is also with Norfolk. Chapman will learn to fly bombers, then switches to fighters but doesn’t see combat.

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Evening star. (Washington, D.C.), 30 April 1942. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1942-04-30/ed-1/

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    See “Rank of Brigadier To Reward 5 Colonels For Service at Batan” on page four of the Jan. 25, 1942 World War II Chronicle
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