Displays
George Kavanaugh, 485th Bomb Group and the Tuskegee Airmen of the 332nd Fighter Group
George Kavanaugh was a radio operator/gunner with the 829th Bomb Squadron of the 485th Bomb Group. He flew a total of 33 missions. His last mission was on 25 April 1945, and the target was the marshalling yards at Linz, Austria.
On 29 December 1944 the 485th Bomb Group’s mission was to bomb the marshalling yards at Verona. Italy. On the return flight to base they encountered bad weather with poor visibility and with a number of the B-24’s running low on fuel they were able to contact the control tower at the Army Air Base at Ramitelli, Italy. This base was used by the 332nd Fighter Group, the Tuskegee Airmen. It was due to the quick action of the personnel on the base that nearly 20 of these B-24 bombers were able to land on a base that was built for fighters. The bomber crews became the guest of the Tuskegee Airmen for several days while waiting for the weather to clear.
Before the B-24’s departed for their base the 332nd Fighter Group Public Relations Officer, Eugene Weaver, placed a letter in each plane. George Kavanaugh kept Eugene Weaver’s original letter from his plane. We have this letter on display.
The photos showing Eugene Weaver and the 2011 reunion were sent to us by Jerry Whiting the Historian for the 485th BG Association.
George Kavanaugh
George and His Crew 1944
Original letter by Eugene Weaver of the Tuskegee Airmen
Capt. Ellington and Eugene Weaver on right
