A Paratrooper’s Faith Dedication

I am George’s sister whom he never met.  I was born two years after his death. Now, being the only member of my immediate family still alive, I want to tell the stories I heard about George and dedicate them and him to the ages.

George was the oldest of three sons, Tom and Arch were the  younger.  Tom  was the Tommy of the letter that George wrote. All three brothers were graduates of Staunton Military Academy , SMA of Staunton, Virginia . George  graduated in 1941 and went to Virginia Tech for college. George had  passion and talents  for swimming and held records at Va. Tech that remained unbroken for years after his death. I always heard that he had a goal of swimming in the Olympics, after his service to the country was completed.  This excellence in swimming shows his character and determination, as he  had suffered with polio in his shoulder as a child.

I am not sure when, but George wanted to enlist in the army during  World War II, like many brave, unselfish young men. With his military school education and ROTC at Virginia Tech, he could have been an officer which is what Daddy wanted.  I am sure that it was not for a elitist desire but hoping  his oldest son would be safer as an officer during the fighting.  George wanted  to enlist and fight with the men and ultimately he  died with them.

Fast forward to June 1944.  George  had earned the rank of Sergeant.  He and many paratroopers jumped into France under darkness on the night of  June 5.  The plan for the beginning of the allied invasion of Normandy was thousands of paratroopers to jump into France and make their way to the cliffs of Normandy from the interior of the country.   The next day, the invasion began from the sea, and if all had gone as planned, the Germans in the bunkers at the top of the cliffs would  have been  surrounded.  The best planning had unforeseen flaws.  Sadly, many of the paratroopers were lost, landing in trees, separated from their buddies, or engaged in battle with random German  soldiers.

George fought bravely at La Fiere Bridge a key position on the road to St Mere Eglise.  He continued to fight until all his men were safe even with a wound in his hip. He was awarded, posthumously, a Purple Heart  for being wounded and a  Bronze Star for bravery. Today, the wound would not be  life threatening but this was before wide use and availability of  antibiotics.

George died  in England on June 8, 1945. He had the little booklet that Mama had sent him somewhere on his person.  Today it is known as A Paratrooper’s Faith…

Please read the section about my mama and her  project through the years to turn this family loss and tragedy into a blessing to other service men and their families.  She loved to receive letters of  testimony about people being encouraged  by George’s little book up until she died at 94 years of age.

After the award ceremony for mama at the Pentagon, our family was invited to  Fort Bragg  where Mama was the honored guest at a parade and a street was named in honor of my brother, Tullidge Way. At that time, my brother Tom donated the original letter George had written to him (in the front of the booklet). Tom said, “George would have wanted the letter there. ”  Mama was also awarded the Iron Mike Award of service from the  enlisted soldiers at Fort Bragg.

Today, after all these years, this little booklet is still reaching and encouraging people.  I have had emails from people requesting copies and am down to 9 of the original copies.   Some have been printed by nieces and nephews.  This is the impetus of me doing this now. I have ordered more copies of the booklet printed. And honestly, reaching the big birthday of 70 encouraged me to do my part.

Just recently, a great niece was visiting  the  American Cemetery to visit George’s grave.  At the entrance  you enter a building and a docent locates where your loved one is buried.  He will walk you to the stone. He asked my niece if she was related and she said ,” Yes.”  The guide said that there are quite a few visitors who ask to visit  George’s grave  purely from his story and  A Paratrooper’s Faith with no blood family connection at all.

That alone encouraged me!  What a beautiful legacy of  my Mama’s love for her son and her generous and giving  spirit and faith. .

Anne Bowler Tullidge Bell