George Howard Glawson, Jr. was born on January 18, 1950, to Mr. and Mrs. George H. Glawson Sr. His home of record is Toms River, NJ. He had two brothers and a sister. George graduated from Toms River High School.
Glawson entered the US Army where he attained the rank of Warrant Officer (WO). His tour of duty began in Vietnam on February 16, 1971. According to military records, Glawson was assigned to Headquarters, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment and was also involved with the INFANT (Iroquois Night Fighter and Night Tracker) system. It was developed for the Army’s Southeast Asia Night Operations program office.
Glawson was killed while piloting a UH-1H helicopter, with the 128th Assault Helicopter Company. The aircraft exploded in mid-air, possibly caused by a malfunction or when hit by artillery round, while performing a nighttime maintenance test-flight. Four men, including Glawson, died.
The fatal crash occurred in Tay Ninh Province, South Vietnam on June 1, 1971.
A funeral Mass was held at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Toms River on Saturday, June 12, 1971, followed by burial with full military rites at St. Joseph’s Cemetery.
An outdoor Memorial at Toms River High School South is a tribute to the heroism of Glawson and five other graduates, who were killed during the war in Vietnam. It was dedicated in 2001.
Sources: Anne Cullen (volunteer) and NJVVMF.
12/17/2024
