165th Infantry Regiment, US Army (United States Army)
Date Of Birth:
14/05/1905
Died:
21/11/1943 (Killed in Action)
Age:
38
Summary
George Montgomery was the son of Hugh and Olivia Montgomery. Hugh was a linen lapper. George was born on 14th May 1905. He was one of at least ten children, all born in the Coalisland area. George emigrated to the United States. George enlisted in Kings County, New York on 31st January 1941. He gave his occupation as semi-skilled driver. Private George Montgomery was killed in action at Makin Island, U.S.A. on 20th November 1943. He was serving with the U. S. Army, 165th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division.
Further Information
George Montgomery was the son of Hugh and Olivia Montgomery. Hugh Montgomery and Olivia Simpson were married on 5th June 1896 in the district of Dungannon.
The 1901 census records the family at house 42 in Derry, Tullyniskane, County Tyrone. Hugh Montgomery was a linen lapper.
George Montgomery was born on 14th May 1905. He was one of at least ten children, all born in the Coalisland area.
The 1911 census lists George as age 6, living with the family at house 43 in Gortgonis, Tullyniskane.
Known family: Hugh Montgomery, Olivia Montgomery, Robert Alexander Montgomery (born 30th August 1897), Hugh Montgomery (born 27th February 1899), Charlotte Montgomery (born 31st October 1900, died 12th November 1900), William John Montgomery (born 14th April 1902), Sarah Florence Montgomery (born 5th November 1903), George Montgomery (born 14th May 1905), Mary Catheline Nora Montgomery (born 20th June 1907), Thomas Joseph Montgomery (born 10th July 1909), Olivia Montgomery (born 8th May 1911), James Montgomery (born 29th April 1913).
George emigrated to the United States.
Military records list him as a native of the Irish Free State. This is assumed to mean the island of Ireland.
George enlisted in Kings County, New York on 31st January 1941. He gave his occupation as semi-skilled: chauffeurs and drivers, bus, taxi, truck, and tractor. He was not married.
Private George Montgomery was killed in action at Makin Island, U.S.A. on 20th November 1943. He was serving with the U. S. Army, 165th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division.
The Battle of Makin was an engagement of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought from 20th to 23rd November 1943 on Makin Atoll in the Gilbert Islands. The complete occupation of Makin took four days and cost considerably more in naval casualties than in ground forces. Despite possessing great superiority in men and weapons, the 27th Division had difficulty subduing the island's small defence force. Against an estimated 395 Japanese killed in action during the operation, American ground casualties numbered 66 killed and 152 wounded. U.S. Navy losses were significantly higher: 644 deaths on the Liscome Bay, 43 killed in a turret fire on the battleship USS Mississippi, and 10 killed in action with naval shore parties or as aviators, for a total of 697 naval deaths. The overall total of 763 American dead almost equalled the number of men in the entire Japanese garrison.
It is unclear as to where Private George Montgomery is buried. He is not listed with the American Battle Monuments Commission. For this reason, it is thought his remains were repatriated and brought home and he is buried in the family plot in Newmills Parish Churchyard.
Private George Montgomery is commemorated on the family headstone in Newmills Parish Churchyard.
Private George Montgomery is commemorated locally on Dungannon War Memorial.
