"George Van Giesen, 26, Killed in France" reported the Watsonville Register-Pajaronian.

George T. Van Giesen was born in 1918, the son of Dunn and Alice Van Giesen. He and his sister, Mrs. Bud Silvey, grew up in Watsonville where their father managed the local branch of the Bank of America. Young Van Giesen lived in Watsonville for a number of years and attended local elementary schools until about 1932, when his family moved to San Francisco. While living in San Francisco, George completed his education and married Barbara. The couple remained and worked in the city until the war.

The date of Van Giesen's entry into the US Army is not known; however, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant. Following his training period, he was assigned to the 414th Infantry Regiment, 104th Infantry Division. By the time his unit reached France in September 1944 he had been promoted to first lieutenant.

On November 2, George Van Giesen and the 414th had crossed the Maas River.

“The 104th Infantry Division landed in France on 7 September 1944. It moved into defensive positions in the vicinity of Wuestwezel, Belgium, 23 October 1944, and went over to the, offensive on the 26th, taking Zundert, gaining control of the Breda-Roosendaal Road and overrunning Vaart Canal defenses. Leur and Etten fell as the Division advanced to the Mark River, 31 October. A coordinated attack over the Mark River at Standaarduiten, 2 November 1944, established a bridgehead. Zevenbergen was captured and the Maas River reached on 5 November. While the bulk of the Division moved near Aachen, Germany, elements remained to secure Moerdijk before being relieved on 7 November.”

First Lieutenant George T. Van Giesen died November 7, 1944, from wounds received in a previous combat engagement. His remains were buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten, Netherlands. He was posthumously issued the Distinguished Service Cross; his other awards include the Purple Heart.

(ABMC, WRP December 22, 1944 3:7; 104th Infantry Division, WWII Combat Chronicle, 2003, http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/ lineage/cc/104id.htm, [16 Sept 2008])