George R. Mercer

George R. Mercer

Army

GEORGE
R.
MERCER

BIRTHPLACE: Vermont, IL

SOLDIER DETAILS

DIVISION:
Army
THEATER OF OPERATION:
American
HONORED BY: Daughter Ann Christiansen

BIOGRAPHY

On March 30, 1944 at the age of 36, George had four children and had been employed by the U.S. post office in Macomb, Illinois for three years. It was then that he received his draft notice. He was instructed to report to the train station to be transported to Fort Lee in the state of Virginia. After completing his basic training, he was sent to the Army base in Oakland, California where he was assigned to the Quartermaster Corps. Having experience with the Postal Service, he was placed in the mail department on the base. At this time, his superior officers discovered that he had earned a college degree and he was offered a commission and a job as an instructor. He declined this offer, explaining that upon his release he only wanted to return to his family and a normal life. On December 10, 1945, shortly after the war ended, he did just that. He returned to his job at the post office in Macomb where he worked for 30 more years. Later, his oldest son Robert enlisted in the Air Force, and eventually was a member of the C.I.A. His other son Donald enlisted in the Marines during the Vietnam War. One granddaughter enlisted in the Air Force, and a grandson served in Iraq. One great-grandson is a member of the National Guard, and served in Kosovo and Iraq. He was an honest, hard working well-respected citizen, and I am proud to say he was my father.