Briefing Document: Life and Military Service of Guy Pledger Jr.

Date: October 26, 2023

Subject: Summary of the life and military service of Guy Pledger Jr.

Sources: Excerpted text provided by user.

Main Themes:

This document outlines the life of Guy Pledger Jr., focusing on his origins, early life, military service, and ultimately, his death during World War II. Key themes include:

Early Life and Family: The document traces his family origins and early life in Texas, including his birth, parents, and schooling.

Military Service: It details his enlistment, training, assignment to the Army Air Forces, and participation in combat missions in Italy.

Tragic Death: The document recounts his fatal mission and subsequent death in the Adriatic Sea.

Posthumous Repatriation: It highlights the process of bringing his remains back to the United States and his final burial.

Key Facts and Ideas:

Birth and Family Background:

Guy Pledger Jr. was born on August 9, 1922, in Olden, Eastland County, Texas.

His parents were Rubye Mae Groves and Guy Pledger.

The text establishes his family's geographic presence in Texas through multiple census records.

"Guy Pledger Jr. born on 9 August 1922 at Olden, Eastland County, Texas to Rubye Mae Groves(b.1901 Texas-d.1981 Eastland County, Texas) Age 22 and Guy Pledger(b.1897 Texas-d.1966 Nueces County, Texas) Age 26."

Early Life in Texas:

The 1930 and 1940 census records place Guy living with his parents in Ranger, Eastland County, Texas.

He attended Eastland and Ranger High Schools indicating he likely had a basic education for the time.

These census details suggest he spent his early life in the same geographic area, a small, rural community.

Marriage and Pre-Enlistment Life:

Guy married Druanne Nicholson on August 27, 1941, in Stephens County, Texas.

He registered for the draft on June 30, 1942, in Nueces County, Texas, while working in Civil Service at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas.

"Registered for the draft at Nueces County, Texas on 30 June 1942 while living at 1220 Antelope, Corpus Christi, Nueces County, Texas and working as Civil Service at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas and listed his wife, Mrs. Druanne Pledger 1220 Antelope, Corpus Christi, Texas, as his next of kin contact."

His employment and draft registration indicate a brief period of civilian life before military service.

Military Enlistment and Service:

Guy Pledger Jr. enlisted in the US Army Air Corps as a private on October 12, 1942, in San Antonio, Texas.

He was assigned service number asn-18197757.

He was described as "a married white male born Texas in 1922 residing in Nueces County, Texas working as a repairman with three years of high school education enlisted from civilian life"

He was a gunner in the 827th Bombardment Squadron, 484th Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force and shipped out to Italy on 11 October 1944.

He was a crew member on the Consolidated B-24H Liberator 42-52774.

His role was that of a gunner.

Fatal Mission and Death:

On November 17, 1944, his aircraft was on a combat mission to Vienna, Austria.

The B-24 was hit by anti-aircraft fire and ditched into the Adriatic Sea while attempting to reach Vis Island.

"The B-24 suffered hits from anti-aircraft artillery over the target and was crippling toward Vis Island when it ditched into the Adriatic Sea."

Cpl. Pledger was killed along with six other crew members. Two crew members tried to swim for help but were lost leaving only the pilot as a survivor.

The B-24 Liberator suffered severe damage during the combat mission.

Post-War Burial:

Corporal Pledger's body was recovered.

He was initially buried in a temporary grave, and in 1949 his remains were repatriated to the United States.

He was reinterred in the Eastland City Cemetery at Eastland, Eastland County, Texas, on Thursday, June 30, 1949.

Conclusion:

Guy Pledger Jr.’s life story, as presented in this text, is a snapshot of a young man's journey from rural Texas to the battlefields of World War II. His story is a common one for that era, moving from a small, rural community into the military, fighting in a war, and then being buried back in his hometown. His life was ultimately cut short by the war, highlighting the personal toll of global conflicts. His story is poignant and provides a window into the experiences of many young men from his time.