P is for Preddy Brothers, George and William

The Preddy Brothers, George and William, were raised in Greensboro, at 605 Park Street, near Summit Avenue and War Memorial Stadium. As a young boy, the ever-resourceful George opened a concession stand at War Memorial Stadium. He called it "The Mouse Hole," a play on his nickname, "mouse." The precocious George graduated from Greensboro Senior High School in 1935 at age 16. He was passionate about aviation and became an Army air force pilot. Following in his older brother's footsteps, Bill also became an Army air force pilot. George was killed by 'friendly fire' in Europe on Christmas Day, 1944. Bill died of injuries sustained when his plane was shot down less than four months later, April 1945. Both Preddy brothers are buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery in France. Imagine losing not one but both of your sons overseas in time of war.

The above memorial kiosk, dedicated to the Major George E. Preddy, Jr. and First Lieutanant William R. Preddy, is located at Piedmont Triad International Airport. At first, we tried to wait for this husband and wife team to leave so that they would not be in the photo. However, we were touched by the fact that they stood for a very long time, reading every single word and watching the video about the Preddy Brothers. Their presence shows the power and effectiveness of promoting the people and places of Greensboro in the airport where, not only travelers but also locals-- like us, learn about our history and culture. 

 Today is ABC Wednesday and P is for the Preddy brothers, George and William.  (See previous entries here). To see Greensboro from the perspective of the Preddy brothers, click here.

Comments

[Roger Green]

I imagine that's why there have been situations where the surving sibling can opt out of the military (see Saving Private Ryan); must be awful to lose two sons, no matter the circumstances.

ROG, ABC Wednesday team

[Scriptor Senex]

Sadly a lot of families lost all their youngsters but it's good that these two are celebrated in such a way.

[Louis la Vache]

A fine post, and a needed reminder of the sacrifice so many made in WWII.
«Louis» tries to visit the Military Cemetery in San Bruno, CA each Memorial Day. He has found a number of graves where brothers were buried next to each other, having been killed (like these brothers) only a short time apart.

Admiral Nimitz, his wife Catherine, and three other Admirals (and their wives) who served with Nimitz in the Pacific are buried there. They declined the opportunity to be buried at Arlington and specified that they be buried with regular tombstones among the ranks who served with them in the Pacific.

http://bayphoto.blogspot.com/2008/05/jour-commmoratif-les-amirals.html

[David T]

George Preddy has the distinction of being the top ranked P-51 ace of WWII. The memorial at PTI tells the brothers' stories, but here is a link to the Wikipedia entry for George Preddy:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Preddy

[Jo Bryant]

great post - how sad they both died