US Army, 1945-1946
Corporal George E. Pollard was drafted and began his service in May 1945 until
July 1946. By the time George actually deployed to the war scene in 1945, the
battle at the European Front had come to an end and the American Forces were
left to occupy the ravaged countries. George served in the 3 Army, 8th Division
Anti-Aircraft Unit as a truck driver and in maintenance.
George was originally sent to California for training and was being trained to
participate in the invasion of Japan. With the invasion averted he was sent to
Germany instead. He had lifetime memberships in both the American Legion and
the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Marceline.
George, born January 19, 1921, the son of Roy Orville and Edna Stoner Pollard,
grew up ona farm near Indian Grove. He and his sister Nina Ruth attended Indian
Grove School through 8″ grade and graduated from Brunswick High School. He
married Virlea Winifred Graves on October 19, 1941 in Yuma, AZ.
George and Virlea both worked for the Convair Aircraft Assembly Plant in San
Diego, CA in the early 1940’s, including December 7, 1941, the day the Japanese
military launched a surprise attack on the US Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
They later moved back to Chariton County and started raising a family. George
was drafted in 1945. After he returned back home they eventually settled down
on a farm near Indian Grove to raise their children Larry, Donald, Connie and
Brenda. The family all were members of First Zion Methodist Church, Indian
Grove, and Marceline UMC. George received his 50 year UMC membership pin a
few years before his death.
George was a dirt contractor and dozer operator. His reputation as a great
bulldozer operator grew as did his business until his retirement in his mid-
seventies.
George E. Pollard died December 30, 2016, aged 95, in Marceline.