Lt. George Springer III
Courier Tribune
25 Feb 1943
page 3
Names in the News
Mr. and Mrs. George Springer, Jr., Margaret and Bill, and MR. and Mrs. Joe McAnarney drove to Hiawatha Sunday, taking George Springer, III that far on his way to Omaha, Neb., where he will be recruited in the Army Air Corps.
Courier Tribune
13 Jul 1943
Page 2
News of Men in Service
George Springer III has a new address. It is A/C Geo W. Springer, Pilot, Sqdn. 38, Flight C, SAAAB, Santa Ana, California,
Courier Tribune
30 Sept 1943
page 1
With the Armed Forces
A C George Springer has a new address. It is 16th AFFTO, Flt N, 44c, Wickenburg, Arizona.
The Courier Tribune
17 April 1944
page 1
With the Armed Forces
George Springer III has completed his training as single engine fighter pilot in the army air corps and graduated at Phoenix, Ariz., Saturday, receiving his wings and the commission of second lieutenant. George called his parents this morning asking them to meet him in Topeka tomorrow night. He will have a leave. This is the first time Mr. and Mrs. Springer have seen their son in 14 months.
The Courier-Tribune
24 April 1944
page 3
Names in the News
William Springer, Creighton University, Omaha, was home for a week-end visit with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Springer, Jr., and other relatives. He came to visit his brother, Lt. George W. Springer, III, home on 15-day leave. George recently graduated form an army air training school, received his wings and commission.
The Courier-Tribune
1 May 1944
page 1
Rev. S. M. Finch Reviews Article by Rckenbacher
One of the pleasant parts of rotary are the guests from time to time. Last Thursday Lieut. George Springer of the Air Corps was present. He has just completed his training as a pilot at Baton Rouge, La. He now goes to Phoenix, Arizona, for operation training and assignment. He gave a few items regarding his training in answer to questions by various Rotarians.
Courier Tribune
8 May 1944
page 1
With the Armed Forces
The address of the older son of Major and Mrs. George Springer Jr., is Lt. George Springer III, 0-774341, 72nd Fighter Wing, Indoctrination Flight May. M. Harding Field, Baton Rouge, La.
The Courier-Tribune
11 Sep 1944
page 1
News of Men and Women in Uniform
Lt. George Springer has written his parents from a base in England where he is stationed since his arrival overseas. George is the elder son of Mr. and Mrs. George Springer Jr and is the pilot of a Thunderbolt fighter plane.
Courier-Tribune
13 Nov 1944
page 1
Lt. Springer Is Reported Missing
Since October 17 in Flight Over France
Mr. and Mrs. Geo Springer Jr. received a message Friday from Adjutant General Ulio of the War Department, informing them that their elder son, Lt. Geo. Springer, III, was reported missing in action over France since October 17. The message also stated that any further information received would be forwarded to the parents.
George is 21 years old, was pilot of a Thunderbolt Fighter plane for the U.S. Army. He reported for service in February 1943 while attending Creighton University at Omaha, Neb. HE was taking his second year of a pre-law course at that time. After several months training he received his wings and the commission of second lieutenant and left in August this year for overseas combat duty.
The last letter George’s parents received form him was written on October 17, the same date he was reported missing. His parents and many friends are hopeful of encouraging word of his safety.
George Springer Jr. served as First Lieutenant in command of a battery with the Field Artillery in France during World War I and after returning home, was advanced to Captain and later to Major. William Springer, the younger son of Mr. and Mrs. Geo Springer Jr., is attending the U.S. Naval Academy at West Point, N.Y. Mary Margret Springer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Springer, is attending the Catholic High School.
Courier Tribune
15 March 1945
page 1
Learn Pilot Was Killed
Over France Oct. 17
George Springer III Met Death in Action, IS the Oficial Report
Mr. and Mrs. George Springer Jr. received a message Tuesday from the War Department stating their son, a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Corps, previously reported missing in action, was killed in action in October of last year. The report was received by the United States officials from the German government through the International Red Cross.
Lt. George Springer III, pilot of a P-47 Thunderbolt Fighter Plane in the European theater of war, had been in service a little more than 18 months and overseas not quite two months when he paid the supreme sacrifice for his country, according to the official report. George piloted a one-man plane and according to previous information was on a dive bombing mission in Southeastern France, seven miles northwest of Basil, Switzerland, when the squadron encountered hostile aircraft. George’s plane disappeared and was never heard from. It is well known that the squadron of which the Seneca pilot was a member, played an active part in assisting ground forces in their progress across France during the early fall months.
Lieut. Springer was 21 years old September 2, 1944. He was born at St. Joseph, Mo., when his parents lived at Severance, Kansas, and moved with them to Seneca in 1927. George was an aggressive youth, ambitious and sincere in his principles and convictions. He attended Sts. Peter and Paul Grade and High School, graduating from high school in 1941. In school he was a general favorite and leader, active in music and sports and a member of the debate team. He entered Creighton University at Omaha in the fall of 1941 and was in the second semester in the school of law when called to service. It was George’s ambition to complete his studies at Harvard College after the war and his future as a lawyer was promising. He was a member of Seneca Council 1769 Knights of Columbus.
In addition to his parents, one brother, William Springer, cadet at West Point and a sister, Mary Margaret Springer of the home, survive. Sincere sympathy of all their friends is extended to this fine family in the bereavement.
Courier Tribune
1 Oct 1945
page 1
A Memorial Mass for Seneca Flier
Many friends and acquaintances as well as organizations to which he belonged, paid respect to the memory of Lt. George Springer III a the Memorial Mass held Thursday morning in Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Seneca. Lt. Springer lost his life in action, October 17, 1944, when his Thunderbolt Fighter plane went down seven miles northwest of Basil, Switzerland.
Rev. Father Patrick O’Shea, Bendena, Kans., a friend of the Springer family, was celebrant of the Solemn High Mass held at ten o’clock. Rev. Father Richard Burns was deacon, Rev. Father Michal Carroll, sub-deacon and rev. Father Matthew Hall, Master of Ceremonies. Rev. Father Mathias Stein, Atchison, was in the sanctuary. Father Matthew gave the sermon and paid tribute to the life of the fine young man who made the supreme sacrifice for world freedom. George was 21 years old at the time of his death. He enlisted in the service while studying law at Creighton University, Omaha. HE was a quiet young man, studious and of fine character.
Members of the Earle W. Taylor Post, American Legion, Knights of Columbus and boy Scouts attended the mass in a body. Fourth Degree Knights formed a guard of honor. Pfc. John Heideman carried the papal flag. After the religious commitment service, on the church lawn, following the mass, legionnaires conducted their part of the rites. Jack R. Houston directed the firing squad composed of George J. Buser, Frank Meyer, Francis Melcher and Barney Rethman. Sgt. Bob Buehler and S-Sgt. Don Price were color guards and Lynn Strohmeyer and Leonard Huerter color bearers. c. E. Rising, Chaplain of the Legion, presented the American flag to Mrs. Springer on behalf of that organization. Members of Sts. Peter and Paul School chorus sang America and Taps.
Lt. George Springer III’s informaton on the American War Memorials Overseas site.
Name:George Wilson III Springer
Rank:Second Lieutenant
Serial Number:O-774341
Unit:406th Fighter Squadron, 371st Fighter Group
Date of Death:1944-10-17
State:Kansas
Cemetery:Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery, Seneca, Nemaha County, Kansas, USA
Plot:Sec 1 Lot 151 Sp 1
Row:Grave:Decoration:Comments:
George Wilson Springer III was born on September 2, 1923, in Saint Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri. He was the son of George W Springer and Anna Mae Morley Springer.George served in the 406th Fighter Squadron, 371st Fighter Group, as a Second Lieutenant and Pilot of the P-47 #42-76522 during World War II. On October 17, 1944, he took off from Y-7 airfield in Dole/Tovaux for a dive-bombing mission at the Sélestat sector in France. At 11h59, he was shot down during aerial combat and crashed 500 meters north of Village-Neuf (Neudorf) – 4 km north of Bâle (Basel). His aircraft was destroyed completely by the explosion in the crash. 2t Springer was killed in this incident.
Leader’s Report – (Original) – (source: National Archives US – MACR 9650): 1Lt Charles C Borden – I was leading the Blue section on an operational mission with Lt Springer flying the Blue Two position. We encountered Bf109s on a frontal pass. There was a P-47 in that flight that fired at Lt Springer. About a minute into the fight, I saw a P-47 behind me and called Lt. Springer to see if that was the case. He answered “Yes.” About another minute went by and I looked back and noticed he was gone. I called him on the radio but received no response. That was the last time he was seen by any Squadron member.
Source of information: http://www.findagrave.com, francecrashes39-45.net
https://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/people_details.php?PeopleID=31386
The family placed a stone 2nd Lieutenant George Springer in the Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery, Seneca, Kansas.
