top of page
Flower Shadow
IMG_1694.jpeg

George William Isbell

October 23, 1921 - May 7, 1945

George W. Isbell was born on October 23, 1921 to Jesse and Edna Isbell in Fort Worth, Texas. George was their only child and also a 3rd generation Fort Worthian. He shared the same first name as his grandfather. George grew up and lived in the same home his entire life at 500 Riverside Drive. He graduated from Amon Carter-Riverside High School in 1939 where he participated in Junior ROTC.¹ Days after his 17th birthday, George’s father passed away unexpectedly due to heart failure. After High School, George worked for Monnig’s Dry Goods located downtown at 5th and Houston.²

On September 20, 1942, George enlisted in the military and served in the Army Air Corps.
His military career led him to the Southwest Pacific during WWII, participating in the battles such as the Leyte invasion (1944) and the Battle of Luzon (1945) in the Philippines.  His primary mission was to fly wounded soldiers to hospitals. On May 7, 1945, while flying a high-ranking officer over an enemy-held island of Luzon, he paid the ultimate sacrifice to his country. He was killed in action at the age of 23.³ Ironically, the very next day on May 8, 1945, the Germans surrendered in Europe.  Japan formally surrendered on September 2, 1945, ending war in the Pacific. George achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant and was awarded the Air Medal for serving with distinction above and beyond that normally expected.

George’s body was not returned to the United States until 1948. He was interned in Pioneers Rest Cemetery on August 3, 1948, three years after his death. He never married and has no known children. He is buried next to his parents and grandparents in the Isbell family plot.

__________________________

[1] “George Isbell,” Carter-Riverside High School Yearbook, Fort Worth, Texas. 1938, Pgs. [112, 145.] https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/1265/images/43135_b163224_00056?pId=337286882 ; Accesses 25 Aug 2023. 
[2] “George William Isbell.” The National Archives in St. Louis, Missouri; St. Louis, Missouri; WWII Draft Registration Cards for Texas, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 749. Ancestry.com; Accessed 25 Aug 2023. 

[3] “History of the Second World War : A Memorial, A Remembrance, An Appreciation.”  [The Fighting Men of Texas.] Historical Publishing Company, Dallas, 1948, Pg. 553. https://3db4bd.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Fighting-Men-of-Texas-Book-page-400-800.pdf ; Accessed 25 Aug 2023.

[4] “The End of World War II 1945.” the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, N.D. https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/topics/end-world-war-ii-1945 ; Accessed 25 Aug 2023. 

[5] History of the Second World War : A Memorial, A Remembrance, An Appreciation.”  [The Fighting Men of Texas.] Historical Publishing Company, Dallas, 1948, Pg. 553. https://3db4bd.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Fighting-Men-of-Texas-Book-page-400-800.pdf ; Accessed 25 Aug 2023. 

[6] “George William Isbell.” Texas Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statics, Fort Worth, Texas,  5 Aug 1948.  

red location pointer.png

Block 3, Lot 27  [Explore the Map]

bottom of page