George Day

George Maze Day (July 19, 1925 – Nov. 23, 1944) was a soldier from Norma who was killed in Germany during World War II.

See Also: Scott Countians killed in war

Biography

Born July 19, 1925, George M. Day was the son of Obediah “Dyer” Day (1901-1975) and Flora Ellen Cook (1909-1980). His siblings included Ellie Olear Elmer (1927-1977), Stellie Lee Steward (1930-2018), Earvie C. Day (1934-2015), Tommy Hurtle Day (1936-1989), James Grattie Day (1940-2018) and Genettie Henderson (1954-2012), as well as Nettie Tomalavage, Geneva Looney, Juanita Looney, Edna Kelso and Etta Howard.

While George grew up in Scott County, the Day family moved to Utah in 1942 to work in the defense industry after the war began. George’s father, Dyer, had worked in the coal mines at Dean prior to the war. By 1950, the war had ended and the Day family had returned to Scott County, living at Smokey Creek.

World War II

At the time that he registered for the draft, Pvt. Day worked for Ogden Air Depot in Ogden, Ut. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assigned to the 41st Armored Infantry Regiment, 2nd Armored Division. He served in the European theater of World War II. Although it isn’t clear that he was there, the 41st Infantry played an integral role in the Normandy campaign. Billie Carroll, of Smokey Junction, also served in the 41st Armored Infantry and was killed in August 1944.

Pvt. Day was killed on Nov. 23, 1944 in Germany. Details are unknown.

Aftermath

Pvt. Day’s body was returned to Scott County and he was buried at Hutson Cemetery at Norma. He was awarded the Purple Heart.

He is listed on the Scott County Veterans Memorial in Huntsville and the East Tennessee Veterans Memorial in Knoxville.