George Eugene Brogna
Sergeant George E. Brogna was a Marine night fighter crewman with VMF(N)-531.
He was killed in a crash at Vella Lavella, Solomon Islands, on 9 February 1944.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 378475
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
January 5, 1919
at Everett, MA
Parents
Angelo Ralph Brogna
Theresa May (Compana) Brogna
Education
Everett High School (1937)
Occupation & Employer
Cleaner
Rialto Theater
Service Life
Entered Service
March 2, 1942
at Boston, MA
Home Of Record
38 Shute Street
Everett, MA
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Theresa Brogna
Military Specialty
Aerial gunner
Primary Unit
VMF(N)-531
Campaigns Served
Northern Solomons
Individual Decorations
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Sergeant George Brogna was a veteran gunner with Marine Night Fighter Squadron 531. In 1943 and 1944, he participated in dozens of combat missions in the Solomon Islands. He distinguished himself on 21 November 1943 by rescuing a comrade turned into “a flaming torch” by burning gasoline. For saving the man’s life, Brogna was recommended for the Navy and Marine Corps Medal.
On 9 February 1944, 1Lt. Clifford W. Watson‘s crew – consisting of Staff Sergeant Jack H. Shirk on the radar and Sergeant Brogna manning the guns – boarded a PV-1 #33253, nicknamed “Double Trouble” for an operational flight out of Barakoma Airfield, Vella Lavella. The weather was exceptionally “heavy,” and the PV-1 only managed to gain 200 feet of altitude before it suddenly plunged towards the sea. “Double Trouble” burst into flames and sank, taking the entire crew with her. Crash boats were unable to find any trace of the remains.
Burial Information or Disposition
None; remains not recovered.
Memorials
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Theresa Brogna.
Location Of Loss
PV-1 #33253 crashed at sea shortly after takeoff from Barakoma airfield.
