George Ivan Karren was born on 14 October 1922 in Vernal, Utah. He was the son of John Hugh and Mary Ellen Smuin Karren. His father was born in Utah and his mother in Idaho. Hugh was a farmer. He had 5 siblings, 2 sisters and 3 brothers. His brother John was a Private in the US Army.

On 16 February 1942 George was unemployed and living in Vernal, Utah. He was 5’10 ½” tall and weighed 153 pounds. He had blue eyes, blonde hair, and a ruddy complexion.

He enlisted on 6 October 1942 at Salt Lake City, Utah. At that time he was residing in Uintah, Utah.

George was a sergeant and served with 763rd Bombardment Squadron, 460th Bombardment Group, Heavy, that was based at Spinazzola Airfield, Foggia, Italy.

On 5 April 1944 Sgt Karren was the armorer gunner on the crew of the B-24H Liberator #42-52375 "Dizzy Lizzy" during a mission to the Nis Marshalling Yards, Yugoslavia. At the assembling point, the plane collided with another B-24 (41-29320 "Alexander's Ragtime Band") and the crews of both planes were lost in the crash over Altamura, Italy.

The Vernal Express reported on 11 May 1944: NAPLES—Memorial services for SSgt George I Karren son of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Karren who was killed in action in Italy were conducted Sunday evening at 5 o’clock at the Naples chapel with Bishop LaVell Manwaring officiating.

A quartet composed of Dee Manwaring, Orlo, Earl, and O’Donnell Goodrich accompanied on the organ by Mrs. A. M. Goodrich sang two numbers. Eternity and No Night There. A duet “There’s a Star Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere” was sung by Earl and O’Donnell Goodrich accompanied on the organ by Mrs. A. M. Goodrich.

The American Legion under the direction of C. D. Anderson, conducted a flag service after which the “Start Spangled Banner” was sung by the congregation.

Talks were given by Jesse A Haws and Bishop LaVell Manwaring. Invocation was by Dee Manwaring and benediction by A. G. Goodrich.

Sgt Karren, an aerial gunner received his gunner’s wings at Tyndale, Florida, and was later sent to the Lowrey field Armament school for advanced training. Before induction into the army, Sgt Karren was employed as a truck driver for W. W. Clyde and Company of Springeville, Utah.

The Vernal Express reported on 14 December 1944 that an official government communique was received this week stating Sgt George I Karren son of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Karren had been killed in action in Italy on April 5th.

On 12 March 1949 the Deseret News reported: MTO Gunner’s Memorial Slated

VERNAL—Graveside services for S/Sgt George Ivan Karren, United States Air Corps gunner, who was killed in action 5 April 1944, at Barri, Italy, will be conducted Sunday at 2 p.m. in Vernal City Cemetery under direction of Swain Funeral Home and the American Legion, Witbeck Post No. 11.

Bishop Ross Merrill, of the Naples War, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will conduct the services.

Sergeant Karren was born 14 October 1922, in Vernal, a son of Hugh and Mary Ellen Smuin Karren.

Survivors include his parents, and a sister, Mrs. Merle Kendell, Bonanza, and three brothers, John, Earl, and Karl Karren, Vernal.

George Ivan Karren is buried in the Vernal City Cemetery, Vernal, Utah.

Sergeant George Ivan Karren was awarded the following commendations: ★ Purple Heart ★ World War II Victory Medal ★ American Campaign Medal ★ Army Presidential Unit Citation ★ Army Good Conduct Medal ★and the ★ European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.

A grateful nation honors his service and keeps his memory alive.

This story was created by researching numerous records. These included census records, military application for headstone, World War II Army Enlistment Record, Findagrave.com , Newspapers.com articles, Honorstates.org, records of the 460th Bombardment Group, etc.

This story is part of the Stories Behind the Stars project (see www.storiesbehindthestars.org). This is a national effort of volunteers to write the stories of all 400,000+ of the US WWII fallen here on Fold3. Can you help write these stories?