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A photo of Griffith 'Yank' Morgan Eldridge

Griffith 'Yank' Morgan Eldridge 1913 - 1944

Griffith Morgan Eldridge II of 534 Harrold Ave, in Americus, Sumter County, Georgia United States was born on February 8, 1913 in Americus to Griffith Morgan Eldridge, Sr. and Mamie Adel (McArthur) Eldridge. He had siblings James Donald Eldridge and Agnes Ruth Eldridge. Griffith Eldridge died at age 31 years old on February 25, 1944 at Mountain of Balon in Zederhaus, Austria County Austria, and was buried on July 20, 1945 at Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial Route nationale 33, in Saint-Avold, France County France.

Griffith Morgan Eldridge II
Yank
Name
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Americus 534 Harrold Ave, in Americus, Sumter County, Georgia 31709, United States
Last residence
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February 8, 1913
Americus, Sumter County, Georgia, United States
Birth
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February 25, 1944
Mountain of Balon in Zederhaus, Austria County, Austria
Death
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Male
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Updated: March 4, 2024
Biography ID: 155846609 What's this
Griffith 'Yank' Morgan Eldridge Griffith Eldridge (1913 - 1944)
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Griffith Morgan Eldridge II's History: 1913 - 1944

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  • Introduction

    Griffith went by his nick name in his home town. He was well known as Yank. Never got the full story of how he aquired this nick name. Griffith Morgan Eldridge Jr. was born to Griffith Morgan Eldridge Sr. (1891 - 1922) and Mamie Adel McArthur (1892 - 1982). He had siblings James Donald (1915 - 2004) and Agnes Ruth Eldridge (1918 - 2008). "Yank" was a World War II combatant. He was KIA over Austria. A tail gunner, he stayed on his plane drawing German planes' fire so that the crew members could safely get away. There were also not enough parachutes for him to use one, though at a certain altitude he jumped from the plane, breaking both legs. He was found a year later a mile from a village. First buried in France during World War II, he was later reburied in Oak Grove Cemetery, Americus, Sumter County, Georgia. He received the Purple Heart and the Air Medal.
  • 02/8
    1913

    Birthday

    February 8, 1913
    Birthdate
    Americus, Sumter County, Georgia United States
    Birthplace
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  • Ethnicity & Family History

    Griffith "Yank" Morgan Eldridge II was white and the son of Griffith Morgan Eldridge Jr and Mamie Adel McArthur. His father Griffith was born in Americus, Sumter, Georgia on May 3, 1891. He married Mamie on December 14, 1911 in Sumter, Georgia and raised their family there. Griffith was a farmer and passed away at the early age of 31 on March 23, 1922 in Americus, Sumter, Georgia. His mother Mamie was born on October 16, 1892 in Americus, Georgia and grew up there. After marrying Griffith in 1911, the couple had three children together. Facing the challenges of early widowhood, Mamie courageously raised her three children on her own during the turbulent times of the Great Depression. She worked as a Secretary for Marint & Drug Co into her 50's and she passed away on August 10, 1982 in Americus, Sumter, Georgia.

  • Nationality & Locations

    He was an American, born in Americus Georgia.

  • Early Life & Education

    Griffith was the eldest of three children in his family. He had a younger brother James Donald "Big Bub" Eldridge Sr (1915-2004) and a younger sister Agnes Ruth "Baby Ruth" Eldridge (1918-2008). He was a high school graduate of Darlington School in Rome, Georgia ( see Griff Eldridge- Darlington School). In school he was involved in Varsity Football Squad; J. P. Cooper Society; South Georgia Club; Castalian Society; ans was Assistant Proctor. His yearbook photo description notes that, "Griff is a friend to everyone; always ready to help. Griff has made a friend of every boy on the campus. We are sure Griff will have no difficulties wherever he goes. He's true blue." He later went on to complete at least two years of college.

  • Religious Beliefs

    Griff was Protestant.

  • Military Service

    Yank enlisted in the military in 1942 and completed his training in Nebraska by 1943. He was then stationed at the Gioia del Colle Airfield in Castellucio, Italy, as part of the 15th Air Force, 49th Bombardment Wing. Yank served as the tail gunner aboard a B-24 bomber, participating in missions that involved photographing German hostile areas. During one significant mission, known as "Big Week," Yank's plane came under heavy fire while flying over Regensburg. Despite being hit, Yank bravely remained at his post on the tail gun, drawing enemy fire away from his crewmates long enough for them to bail out safely. He attempted to parachute to safety afterward, but landed with a badly broken leg and sustained severe injuries. Tragically, his plane crashed into the mountain Balon in Zederhaus, and Yank was found a year later, frozen to death just a mile from a small village. Yank's B-24 bomber was named "The Citadel," and his bravery and sacrifice were noted in a book called "My WWII," written by a fellow soldier from Americus. His disappearance for a year sparked inquiries from many concerned individuals. For his valor and service, Yank posthumously received both the Purple Heart and the Air Medal, honoring his courage and sacrifice in service to his country.

  • Professional Career

    Shipping And Receiving Clerks. Owned Gas station in Americus Ga., his brother James also worked with him.

  • Personal Life & Family

    Griffith never married and didn't have children.
  • 02/25
    1944

    Death

    February 25, 1944
    Death date
    KIA in World War II. Tail gunner he stayed on plane drawing German planes fire so crew members could safely get away. There were also not enough parachutes for him to use, though at certain altitude he jumped from plane breaking both legs. He was found a year later a mile from village.
    Cause of death
    Mountain of Balon in Zederhaus, Austria County Austria
    Death location
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  • 07/20
    1945

    Gravesite & Burial

    July 20, 1945
    Funeral date
    Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial Route nationale 33, in Saint-Avold, France County 57500, France
    Burial location

  • Obituary

    Yank joined the service in 1942, his last training place was in Nebraska in 1943. Where he was shipped to Gioia del Colle Airfield, Castellucio, Italy. He was part of the 15th Air Force, 49th Bombardment Wing, he was the tail gunner in a B-24. He flew on missions taking photo's of German hostile areas. His last mission was during "Big Week" the plane was hit flying over Regensburg, he stayed behind on the tail gun, drawing fire long enough for everyone to get out. At which point he then tried to exit the plane at a proper altitude. When he landed one of his legs were badly broken and he sustained severe injuries. The plane crashed under the mountain Balon in Zederhaus he was found a year later only a mile from a small village, he had frozen to death. The name of his B-24 Liberator Bomber was "The Citadel" this was 25 Feb 1944. A book written by a solider from Americus mentions Yank as he was missing for a year and many were inquiring about him. The book was called "My WWII". Received the Purple Heart and the Air Medal.
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4 Memories, Stories & Photos about Griffith

Griff Eldridge- Darlington School
Photo of Lizzie Kunde Lizzie Kunde
27.6k+ favorites
03/04/2024
Griff Eldridge- Darlington School
1931 Darlington School Yearbook Photo of Griff Eldridge. The description next to his photo reads, "Varsity Football Squad; J. P. Cooper Society; South Georgia Club; Castalian Society; Assistant Proctor. Griff is a friend to everyone; always ready to help. Griff has made a friend of every boy on the campus. We are sure Griff will have no difficulties wherever he goes. He's true blue."
Date & Place: at Darlington School 1014 Cave Spring Road Southwest, in Rome, Floyd County, Georgia 30161, United States
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Griffith M Eldridge
Dawn Graddick
28 favorites
09/19/2014
Griffith M Eldridge
A photo of Griffith M Eldridge and his nephew Buster. This was the last time Yank was home before being sent over seas
Date & Place: in Americus, Sumter County, Georgia 31709, USA
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Photo of Daniel Pinna Daniel Pinna
9.25k+ favorites
11/12/2022
Absolute treasure of a photo Dawn! Thank you for sharing this.
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Griffith & Mamie Eldridge
Dawn Graddick
28 favorites
09/19/2014
Griffith & Mamie Eldridge
A photo of Griffith M Eldridge with his Mother Mamie Adel McArthur Eldridge. The last time Mother and Son would lay eyes on eash other in the flesh
Date & Place: in Americus, Sumter County, Georgia 31709, USA
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Griffith M Eldridge gravesite
Dawn Graddick
28 favorites
09/19/2014
Griffith M Eldridge gravesite
Marker for Griffith M. Eldridge at Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial
Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.
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Griffith Eldridge's Family Tree & Friends

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Griffith's Friends

Friends of Griffith Friends can be as close as family. Add Griffith's family friends, and his friends from childhood through adulthood.
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Other Biographies

Other Griffith Eldridge Biographies

Eldridge, Griffith (May 3, 1891 - 1922)
Eldridge, Griffith (Born circa 1913)

Other Eldridge Family Biographies

Taylor, Eliza (Born Jun 1886) Eldridge-Galloway, Minnie (Born Jul 25, 1892) Long-Eldridge, Ann (Born Sep 5, 1854) Eldridge-Clapp, Sarah (Born Feb 20, 1880) Eldridge, Homer (Born Sep 5, 1883) Eldridge, Thomas (Born Oct 5, 1888) Eldridge, Manzona (Born Jun 5, 1876) Eldridge-Atwill, Cora (Born Apr 8, 1890) Eldridge, Sarah (Born Feb 20, 1880) Eldridge, Charles
Eldridge, Minnie (Born Jul 25, 1892) Eldridge, Stephen (Born Oct 6, 1848) Eldridge, Killey (Sep 16, 1764 - Dec 5, 1845) Eldred, Samuel (1655 - Jan 3, 1705) Eldridge, Daniel (Born 1696) Eldridge, Frank (Apr 13, 1896 - Aug 1968) Eldridge, Carlton (May 22, 1902 - Dec 11, 1990) Eldridge, Dorothy (Sep 9, 1901 - Oct 1974) Eldridge, Clyde (Apr 3, 1911 - Nov 1970) Eldridge, Chauncey (Jan 12, 1910 - Jun 15, 1994)
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