HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah – Today’s spotlight is U.S. Navy, Army & National Guard and Air Force veteran George Horton.
Horton was raised in Boston, Massachusetts, and enlisted in the Navy at the age of 17, serving from 1941-1945, during World War II.
He began his military life performing ships company duties while stationed on the USS San Diego CL-53, a newly commissioned light cruiser. The USS San Diego supported the first American offensive of the war, the invasion of the Solomon’s at Guadalcanal. During this campaign, the ship was torpedo attacked by an enemy submarine.
Horton then participated in almost all of the Pacific Island naval battles and liberations throughout the rest of WWII, culminating with the invasion of Japan, the country’s surrender and end of the war.
At the conclusion of WWII, Horton separated from the Navy and joined the Massachusetts National Guard, working with 211th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron and 126th Heavy Tank Battalion.
He changed services again in 1949 and joined the U.S. Army Air Corps that later transitioned to the Air Force. He transferred to Hill Air Force Base in 1950, where he worked for several different squadrons.
Horton retired from the Air Force at McConnel AFB, Kansas, in 1964, after 24 years of service.
Horton now resides in Ogden, Utah, enjoys genealogy work, and has been involved with Weber and Davis County’s Military Honor Guard for 30 years.
Thank you for your service, George Horton!