WWII veteran recognized by DAR

By Phil Cobb | November 23, 2015 |

SUBMITTED PHOTO
George Gaylor during WWII

A local World War II veteran and former Northwest Missouri State University professor has been nominated as “Patriot of the Month” by the Nodaway County chapter of the Missouri State Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

According to Nodaway DAR Regent Jessie Smith, the organization, after careful consideration and a group vote, chose George R. Gayler as its nominee in the statewide veterans recognition effort.

“We were encouraged to choose someone who embodied all the values that the DAR stands for,” Smith said, “and to choose someone who has served their country loyally and gone above and beyond what they had to. We felt George was the perfect person.”

Gayler was born in Canton, Illinois, in 1921. His family later moved to Macomb, Illinois, were Gayler graduated from high school.

He subsequently enrolled as a student at Western Illinois Teachers College, where he met his future wife, Barbara Beer.

In addition to his studies, Gayler also took civilian pilot training then joined the U.S. Army Air Forces in 1942 after the outbreak of World War II.

Once called to active duty and earning his wings as a lieutenant, Gaylor served as an advanced flight instructor in Texas.

On June 11, 1944, he and Barbara were married and lived in Pampa, Texas until Gaylor was ordered overseas.

He was stationed in Kunming, China, as part of the 27th Troop Carrier Squadron and flew a C-47 transport plane that carried troops and supplies for U.S. and Chinese forces fighting the Japanese.

Gayler’s tour of duty in China ended in December 1945, and he returned to civilian life in 1946 having received the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Air Medals, and several unit citations.

Once back in school, he completed his bachelor’s degree at Western Illinois University and went on to receive master’s and doctoral degrees at Indiana University.

In 1949, Gayler and his wife moved to Maryville, where he became a professor of history at what is now Northwest Missouri State University, retiring in 1987 after 38 years on the faculty.

Currently, Gayler is a member of the Men’s Forum, Maryville Host Lion’s Club, Community Retired Teachers, the Nodaway County Historical Society, and the American Legion.