Vasey, George Alan "Bloody George"

Lockheed Hudson

Date of birth:: March 29th, 1895 (Malvern East/Victoria, Australia)
Date of death:: March 5th, 1945 (near Cairns/Queensland, Australia)
Buried on:: Commonwealth War Graves Cairns Cemetery
Plot: A. Row: D. Grave: 16.
Nationality:: Australian

Biography

On 5 March 1945 Major General George A. Vasey flew to New Guinea to take up his command but the Lockheed Hudson aircraft in which he was travelling crashed into the sea off Cairns, killing Vasey and all on board.

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Distinguished Service Order (DSO)

Period:: First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:: Brigade Major
Unit:: Divisional Artillery, 2nd Australian Division, Australian Army
Awarded on:: June 3rd, 1918

"During the periods October 4th and 12th 1917, as brigade major this officer worked continuously day and night with untiring effort and devotion to duty.
It was due to the assistance rendered by this officer that the arduous work was successfully carried out.
In July and August 1917 near Warneton this officer showed conspicuous gallantry in action in supervising the work of the battalions in the forward line without any fear for his personal safety in a way that was most eminently satisfactory and deserving of the highest praise.
During the 19 days in June 1917, that this brigade was in the line in front of Messines, Major Vasey carried out the duties of brigade major with devotion and ability.
This officer has been brigade major of this brigade since August 1917 and during the whole of this period he has worked with zeal and ability in such a way that his work has been most successful, and has aided materially in bringing the brigade to its present high standard of efficiency."

Mentioned in Dispatches

Period:: First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:: Major
Unit:: 11th Australian Field Artillery Brigade, 4th Australian Division, Australian Army
Awarded on:: July 11th, 1919

Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Colonel
Unit:: 19th Australian Infantry Brigade, 6th Australian Division, Australian Army
Awarded on:: April 1st, 1941

Distinguished Service Order (DSO)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Brigadier
Unit:: 19th Australian Infantry Brigade, 6th Australian Division, Australian Army
Awarded on:: November 4th, 1941

This award was obtained in the form of an bar to be attached on the ribbon of the first award.

Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major-General
Unit:: 7th Australian Division, Australian Army
Awarded on:: January 11th, 1943

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to George A. Vasey, Major General, Australian Army, for extraordinary heroism in action against enemy forces in New Guinea, during the Papuan Campaign, 23 July 1942 to 8 January 1943. As Commander, Seventh Division, Australian Army, Major General Vasey displayed extraordinary courage, marked efficiency and precise execution of operations during the Papuan Campaign.

Headquarters: South West Pacific Area, General Orders No. 5