Focus on: George McConnaughey

George McConnaughey (age 98) along with his son-in-law, Mark Owen, sat down with the Society in July 2023 to share stories of George’s WWII military experiences. George returned to UA after the war and held significant community positions including on the Board of Zoning Adjustment (1950s) and as President of the Board of Education (1960s). He was inducted into Jones’ Tradition Hall in 1983.

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George was a junior at UAHS (in the building we today know as Jones) when Pearl Harbor was bombed in December of 1941. He recalls that most of the boys in his class joined the war effort following graduation in 1943.

In the summer of 1943, George took classes at Denison University. He then enlisted, hoping to join the Marines. However, due to his color-blindness the Marines would not accept him, and he joined the Army instead.

George spent 22 months in the European Theater in the Headquarters Advanced Section of the Communications Zone. While not directly involved in combat, George’s unit did help build pontoon bridges used by General Patton to cross the Rhine River. He was also at the Battle of Bulge and will always remember the bombing from the Army Air Forces that helped turn the tide of that battle.

At the end of the European Theater, George was stationed in Berlin with the Army of Occupation, Civil Administration Division.

For his service, George was awarded five bronze service stars for participation in five major battles: Normandy Invasion, Northern France, Ardennes, Battle of the Bulge, and Rhine River.

The Society is so grateful to George and Mark for sharing these memories with us!