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Last Name: ` TICE	First Name Middle Initial: GEORGE		Nick Name: Lefty
Street: 2292 Costa Rican Drive #20	City & State: Clearwater, FL		E-Mail: tGeoLee@aol.com
Zip: 33763	Phone: 727 797-3535		Spouse: ROSALIE
Conflict: WWII,	Service Branch: Army Air Corp		Unit: 15th AF 459 BG 759 B Sqd.
Theater: ETO	Where Captured: HUNGARY		Date Captured: 06/16/44
Camps Held In: Stalag Luft III, Nurnberg, Moosberg			How Long Interned: 317 days
liberated / repatriated: Liberated	Date Liberated: 04/29/45		Age at Capture: 24
Medals Received: Air Medal, Purple Heart, Rome-Arno Campaign, Am. Combat Balkans, Normandy, Prisoner of War, Victory Medal, Presidential Unit Citation
Military Job: PILOT B-24		Company: FLORIDA POWER
Occupation after War: ELECTRICAL ENGINEER - SALES & MARKETING

Military Bio:

I was accepted as an Aviation Cadet in the Army Air Corp. in July 1942. Went through Pre-Flight primary, Basic and Advanced Pilot Training. Received my wings and commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Air Force Nov. 3 1943. Trained in B24s (four engine heavy bombers). After training I became part of a crew as Co-Pilot. Flew the Southern Route to Italy. Our crew was assigned to the 759th Bomb Sqd. 459th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force. I was later promoted to 1st Pilot after a check ride and test just before our faithful mission. I had been promoted to Asst. Operations Officer and 1st Lieutenant but my bars had not yet been presented. We flew 26 missions before being shot down on June 16, 1944 while bombing just outside of Vienna Austria. Eight of our crew managed to bail out all over Hungary as our wounded bird lost altitude. Our Pilot in Command had been killed at the controls by flak and went down with the plane. I bailed out last and was immediately captured, beaten, tortured. I was then thrown into a dungeon at a small town. I was later moved to Budapest and remained until the Red Cross came to visit prisoners in a humanitarian mission. I was then moved to Stalag Luft III where we remained almost a year. As the allies (Russians) approached the camp we were forced marched through out Germany to Nuremburg then on to Mooseberg. It was a very happy day when Patton’s 3rd Army roared up in tanks and liberated us all in April 29th 1945. I had finally received my bars from the Red Cross while a POW. It will soon be 55 years since freedom.
Up-Dated 4/17/2000


George Tice 1942	George Tice POW Organization 1999