Page 1 of 1

Sgt G.A. Furste, RCAF ??? American

Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2021 8:34 pm
by georgetanksherman
Have had this Warrior for some time, but cannot find what his hometown is, or what the G.A. stands for, did his injuries stop he from flying ?

Sgt. G.A. Furste, RCAF (American); Air Gunner; 08/12/1942 moved from Chipping Warden to Turweston (A or D Operational Training Flight); 11/12/1942 Sgt Furste was severely injured when Wellington BK243 of 12 Operational Training Unit crashed at Turweston airfield, located near the village of Turweston, in north Buckinghamshire near the Northamptonshire border.

Any help, if available would be appreciated

Re: Sgt G.A. Furste, RCAF ??? American

Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2021 8:46 pm
by georgetanksherman
What I found on Facebook:

11/12/42 Wellington III Registration BK243

Aircraft taking off from Turweston for a night exercise (BK243 of 12 OTU). Crashed while flying a low circuit, having broken out of cloud, described as having a base between a thousand and 200 feet. Two, the pilot Sergeant Lapsley RNZAF was taken to Northampton General Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries the next day; he rests in Banbury Cemetery, and second pilot Flight Sergeant Fryer, (it is believed) died at the scene. He is buried in High Wycombe Cemetery, though, it is noted that his parents address is given as Freshwater on the Isle of Wight. Sergeant Furste was an American serving with the RCAF; he was very seriously injured.

Crew:
Sergeant R B Lapsley RNZAF 416122 Injured – later succumbed to injuries – Banbury Cemetery (12 Dec 1942)
Flight Sergeant D H Fryer Injured – later succumbed to injuries – High Wycombe Cemetery (11 Dec 1942)
Sergeant M H Pierson Injured
Sergeant P H Sharpe Injured
Sergeant G A Furste Royal Canadian Air Force Injured
Sergeant J R Nash Injured

Crash and rescue: These four airman were soon on the scene and equipped with crowbars and metal cutting sheers they set about freeing the trapped crew. Later the Station Commander at Turweston complimented on the four airmen, principally involved in the rescue, for their prompt action.
LAC Chapman
LAC Hansford
LAC B V Icke
LAC D L Jenkins

Re: Sgt G.A. Furste, RCAF ??? American

Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2021 1:40 am
by BFBSM
He is George August Furste.

Obituary: http://www.tributes.com/obituary/show/G ... e-35718182

U.S., World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946
Name: George A Furste
Race: White
Marital status: Single, without dependents (Single)
Rank: Staff Sergeant
Birth Year: 1921
Nativity State or Country: Indiana
Citizenship: Citizen
Residence: Allen, Indiana
Education: 4 years of high school
Civil Occupation: Semiskilled occupations in extraction of minerals, n.e.c.
Enlistment Date: 1 Jun 1943
Service Number: 10601025
Branch: Air Corps
Component: Army of the United States - includes the following: Voluntary enlistments effective December 8, 1941 and thereafter; One year enlistments of National Guardsman whose State enlistment expires while in the Federal Service; Officers appointed in the Army of
Source: Civil Life
Height: 01
Weight: 111
U.S., World War II Hospital Admission Card Files, 1942-1954
Name: George A Furste
Race: White, includes Mexican (White)
Rank: Enlisted Man
Admission Age: 23
Birth Date: abt 1921
Admission Date: Sep 1944
Discharge Date: Sep 1944
Military Branch: Unassigned and Assignments (Not Elsewhere Classified)
Diagnosis: Diagnosis: Otitis aero-
Type of Injury: Disease
Medical Treatment: Radium therapy (treatment with radium)
Injured in Line of Duty: In line of duty
Type of Discharge: Duty
Length of Service: 1 Year(s), 5 Month(s)
Service Number: 10601025

Re: Sgt G.A. Furste, RCAF ??? American

Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2021 2:06 am
by georgetanksherman
Thank You for the info BFBSM,

I believe this is the first Warrior that has gone from the Air Force to the Army, I am guessing that it had something to do with the injuries from the crash.

Cheers again for the help !

George

Re: Sgt G.A. Furste, RCAF ??? American

Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2021 4:34 am
by BFBSM
Don’t forget the USAF did not exist until 18 September 1947, before then they were Air Corps of the US Army.