George A. 'Speedball' Uhrich

by Dan Bickhard
(Box 7185 Golden Co 80403)

George Uhrich was my great uncle.

While I was growing up he rarely talked about his experience. One detail I recall however was how he was able to trim his aircraft for speed, also noting how he almost crashed from heavy flak damage. I have his original wings, and his daughter keeps his medals safe. I have attached a few Denver Newspaper articles honoring his return home from the war. He retired from the Air Force after serving a thirty year career.
Praises to this website. I have learned more about the bombing raids of the 376th from this website, and want to thank all involved for the work and detailed information put forth. Ploesti was never a Hollywood movie or documented the way it should.

Many thanks,

Dan Bickhard
720.415.9182

Comments for George A. 'Speedball' Uhrich

Average Rating

Click here to add your own comments

Dec 12, 2020
Rating

George A “Speedball” Uhrich
by: Anonymous

George A. Uhrich
AWARDS BY DATE OF ACTION: 1 of 1
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING World War II

Service: Army Air Forces

Division: Middle East Air Force

GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Middle East, General Orders No. 17 (September 23, 1942)

CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) George A. Uhrich (ASN: 0-432145), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action with the enemy while serving with the First Provisional Group (Heavy), Middle East Air Forces. gallantry in action with the enemy while serving with the First Provisional Group (Heavy), Middle East Air Forces. On 15 June 1942 he, while acting as Pilot, took part in an attack upon Italian Fleet operating in the Mediterranean Sea, made by a formation of U. S. Army Air Force heavy bombers. This attack was so successful that the fleet was forced to withdraw permitting safe passage to a British convoy bound for Malta. On the return flight to base, he manned his machine with such precision and in such perfect coordination with the remainder of the formation that intercepting enemy fights were driven off with two casualties. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army Air Forces.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Our veteran's stories.

376 ARCHIVES

The website 376bg.org is NOT our site nor is it our endowment fund.

At the 2017 reunion, the board approved the donation of our archives to the Briscoe Center for American History, located on the University of Texas - Austin campus.

Also, the board approved a $5,000 donation to add to Ed Clendenin's $20,000 donation in the memory of his father. Together, these funds begin an endowment for the preservation of the 376 archives.

Donate directly to the 376 Endowment

To read about other endowment donation options, click here.

My Trip to San Pancrazio

October 2019