Sidney L. George

Sidney L.

LTC USA (Ret.)

Sidney Lanier George, Lt. Colonel U.S. Army (Ret.) of Springfield, VA passed away on July 2, 2014 at age 93. Sid was born on July 19, 1920 in Savannah, GA to Frank V. George and Martha M. George.

Sid entered the Regular Army at Ft. Screven, Tybee Island, GA in July 1941 as a private. He was stationed at Ft. Belvoir VA, Westover, MA and then with his unit went to England in May 1942. He spent over 39 months overseas in WWII. While overseas he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant. He served in North Africa, Sicily, Italy and Southern France.

After WWII, Sid was stationed at Eglin Army Air Field, FL prior to reassignment to Ft. Belvoir where he was stationed until the start of the Korean War. His unit was ordered to participate in the Inchon invasion of Korea. He then returned to the US in February 1952 and was reassigned to the Army Command and General Staff College in Ft. Leavenworth, KS. After graduation, Major George was reassigned to US Seventh Army in West Germany.

Upon completion of his tour in West Germany, Maj. George was assigned to US Second Army, Ft. Meade, MD as an advisor to the Maryland National Guard. Following this, Lt. Colonel George attended the US Army Language School, Presidio of Monterey, CA. After graduating, Lt. Col. George was assigned to US Eighth Army Korea for duty with the Korea Military Advisor Group (KMAG). He was an advisor to Republic of Korea Army 11th Division. His next assignment was as Battalion Commander 76th Engineer Bn. Returning to the US, Lt. Col. George was again assigned to the Staff and Faculty US Engineer School at Ft. Belvoir.

Lt. Col. George retired after 25 years in the US Army having received numerous awards and decorations during his military service including 2 Bronze Stars. After several months of retirement, Sid became a civilian employee of the US Navy, Naval Air Systems Command. After 20 years with NAVAIR, Sid retired in 1987.

Sid continued serving his country as a dedicated volunteer for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund for over 25 years. He helped thousands of visitors locate loved ones' names while subtly providing a unique and insightful history of The Wall and the Vietnam War. He formed many meaningful friendships through his volunteering with fellow volunteers, Park Service employees, other veterans and "Wall" families.

Sid is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Jane L. George of Springfield, Va., his eldest son, Albert George, his wife Patricia and their children Megan and Kurt, all of Manassas, VA.; his predeceased son Kurt's children, Nicole George and her husband, David Gilbert of Bristow, VA and Jason George of Washington, D.C.; his daughter, Alice G. Chisholm, her husband, Andy, both of Savannah, GA and their children, Kip of Dallas, TX and Jane Eliza of Savannah, GA.

Sid's siblings, all of Savannah, GA survive him; Vreeland and Allene George, Louise G. Ferguson and Ann G. and Walter Fisch as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Lt. Colonel Sidney Lanier George, U.S. Army (Ret.) will be laid to rest with Full Military Honors in the hallowed grounds of the Arlington National Cemetery on Friday, November 7, 2014 at 3:00 pm.

Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association at https://alz.org/join-the-cause-donate.asp or Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) Education Center at 2600 Virginia Ave. NW, Suite 104, Washington, D.C. 20037 or https://donate.vvmf.org/page/contribute/donate-to-the-vvmf