GEORGE RHEA LAND, JR.

The Citadel Class of:	1939
Cadet Company:	F (4), F (3), G (2), K (1) (Source: Sphinx 1939)
Age:	26
Born:	23-Jul-17 in Virginia
Hometown:	Washington, D.C.
Family:	George R. Land (father), Louise E. Grady Land (mother)
Rank:	Second Lieutenant
Branch of Service:	U.S. Army Air Forces
Servicenumber:	O-387374
Entered the Service from:	Washington, D.C.
Function:	Pilot
Squadron:	84th Bomber Squadron
Group:	47th Bomber Group
Plane data: (Serialnumber, MACR, etc.)	A-20
Date of death:	2-Apr-43
Status:	KIA
Place of death:	La Fauconnerie, Tunisia
Spot:	Not Available
Awards:	Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster
Gravenumber:	Plot A Row 9 Grave 4
Cemetery:	North Africa American Cemetery
Biography:	Attended Washington High School, Washington, Virginia
Other information:	George Rhea Land. Jr. Coast Artillery — Business Administration, Greenville, South Carolina  George has suffered many losses and reverses during his career at The Citadel, but he has “carried on” in a manner which is a great credit to him. He is the type of cadet who forms the backbone of this institution. The fact that he has not been outstanding is no sign that he couldn’t be if his desires led him in that direction. George has proved to be a friend to many cadets. He has a steadfast loyalty to everything in which he believes. During his underclass years here George showed himself as a night-owl and a dark-horseman of no ill repute. In his last year, though he took many week-end leaves, his reasons had changed from the lighter to the more serious. Though we are certain that he will not have much trouble in carving his niche, we wish him luck and much happiness. “GEORGE” Ret., Co. F (4): Pvt., Co. F (3); Pvt., Co. G (2); Pvt., Co. K (1). – Source: 1939 Sphinx Distinguished Service Cross Awarded posthumously for actions during the World War II (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) George Rhea Land (ASN: 0-387374), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Navigator of an A-20 Bomber in the 84th Bombardment Squadron, 47th Bombardment Group (L), TWELFTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 30 March 1943, against enemy targets in the North African Theater of Operations. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Second Lieutenant Land on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 12th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces. General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army-North African Theater of Operations, General Orders No. 60 (1943) Action Date: 30-Mar-43 – Source: MilitaryTimes.com

Sources: American Battle Monuments Commission, The Citadel Archive & Museum, Mike Stannard ’65, Bob Mebane ’80, Sphinx 1939, Ancestry.com, 1920/30/30 US Census (NARA), Find a Grave.com, Virginia’s World War II Military Deaths

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