George Thomas McCrumby (1917 - 1944)

Born 21 Oct 1917 in Fort Worth, Tarrant, Texas, United States

Died 29 Feb 1944 at age 26 in Mediterranean Sea, Italy

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Biography

George McCrumby was Missing in Action during World War II.

George McCrumby is a Military Veteran.
Served in the United States Army Air Force 99th Fighter Squadron 1943-1944
Tuskegee Airman flying Ace

George McCrumby was awarded the Purple Heart.

George McCrumby is Notable.

George was born in 1917 to Benjamin McCrumby and Cary Goodson. He grew up in Fort Worth, Texas. ^[1] His mother passed in 1938, and his father, two years later. After graduating from high school, he worked as a dining car employee in Fort Worth.^[2]

George was one of the first African American men from Fort Worth to receive a commission in the Army Air Force, graduating Jan 14, 1943. He was assigned to the 99th Squadron based in North Africa. His first flight was in June. In July, the squadron moved to Italy. George was part of a mission to defend Allied ships in the harbor near Anzio, Italy. His plane was damaged, but he returned without incident. ^[3]. In early February of 1944, he was part of a flight squadron that was attacked by 18 German planes while out on a mission. The incident took place over the 5th Army's beachhead, south of Rome. George managed to parachute to safety after his plane was damaged during the dogfight. ^[4]. British soldiers took McCrumby to the Anzio Beach Field Dispensary where he spent four days in an evacuation hospital for minor injuries.

On February 29, George was last seen departing the base on a mission to Gaeta when he suddenly turned back to the base. He was never seen again. It is presumed that he crashed into the Mediterranean Sea. In late March, the papers reported that 2nd Lt. George McCrumby was wounded with some information indicating that he was missing in action at that time. ^[5]

George's official date of death is listed as July 15, 1945. His name is engraved on the Tablets of the Missing at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery. His remains have never been recovered.

Sources

1. ↑ "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X2V8-6JM : 1 March 2021), George Thomas Mccrumby, 21 Oct 1917; citing Fort Worth, Tarrant, Texas, United States, certificate 48917, Texas Department of Health, Austin; FHL microfilm 4,502,441.
2. ↑ Fort Worth Star, 19 Mar 1943, pg. 11
3. ↑ The Pittsburgh Courier, 25 Sep 1943, pg 1.
4. ↑ Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Feb 1944, pg. 13. Tells of Close Call A Fort Worth Negro, Lt. George Thomas, McCrumby, 26, parachuted to safety recently when his Warhawk fighter plane was damaged in a dogfight over the 5th Army's beachhead south of Rome. McCrumby's jacket caught on the shattered cockpit of his plane when he was preparing to leave it, but he ws able to free himself without injury. His squadron, the 99th, was attacked by 18 German planes and was subjected to anti-aircraft fire.
5. ↑ Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Mar 1944, pg. 21.Fort Worth Negro Army Pilot WoundedA Fort Worth Negro Warhawk fighter plane pilot, Second Lt. George T. McCrumby, 26, of 806 Twombley, has been wounded in action in Italy, the War Department announced Thursday. McCrumby escaped injury several weeks previously when his squadron, the 99th, was attacked by 18 German planes. His plane was damaged and he parachuted to safety.