George served as a Second Mate, S.S. Timothy Pickering, U.S. Merchant Marines during World War II.
He resided in Melrose, Massachusetts prior to the war.
The duties of the Second Mate was to serve as the navigation officer, plot courses and takes celestial and terrestrial fixes. The second mate also handled the after deck when tying up. He normally stood the 12 to 4 watch.
The S.S. Timothy Pickering was hit by an Italian Ju 87 Stuka off Augusta, Sicily while anchored offshore at Avola, Sicily with the loss of "127" British servicemen, "22" United States Merchant seamen and "9" armed guards. Only one British serviceman survived the explosion.
George was declared "Missing In Action" in this sinking during the war.
He was awarded the Merchant Mariners "Distinguished Service Medal" and the Merchant Mariner's Medal with a Combat Star.
( Bio by: Russ Pickett )
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Distinguished Service Medal Citation:
The President of the United States takes Pleasure in Presenting the Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal to:
George W. Alther, Jr.
Second Mate on SS Timothy Pickering 10/14/43
For heroism above and beyond the call of duty.
The vessel in which he was serving in 1941 was bombed by enemy planes and again a ship in which he served in 1942 was bombed and sunk. During an enemy air attack on a Sicilian port [Avola, Sicily] his third wartime vessel, loaded with ammunition, T.N.T., aviation gasoline, and British troops, was hit by a 500-pound bomb. The ship was split in two--ammunition exploded in the holds--and the water around the ship was a surface of burning gasoline. The Gunnery Officer was wounded on the lower deck amidship which was enveloped by flames, but with utter disregard for his own safety, Second Officer Alther went to his assistance and in so doing gave his life.
In unhesitatingly risking, and subsequently giving, his life in an heroic attempt to rescue a wounded fellow officer he maintained and enhanced the finest traditions of the United States Merchant Marine.
For the President
Admiral Emory Scott Land
( Citation Recorded by: Russ Pickett )
He resided in Melrose, Massachusetts prior to the war.
The duties of the Second Mate was to serve as the navigation officer, plot courses and takes celestial and terrestrial fixes. The second mate also handled the after deck when tying up. He normally stood the 12 to 4 watch.
The S.S. Timothy Pickering was hit by an Italian Ju 87 Stuka off Augusta, Sicily while anchored offshore at Avola, Sicily with the loss of "127" British servicemen, "22" United States Merchant seamen and "9" armed guards. Only one British serviceman survived the explosion.
George was declared "Missing In Action" in this sinking during the war.
He was awarded the Merchant Mariners "Distinguished Service Medal" and the Merchant Mariner's Medal with a Combat Star.
( Bio by: Russ Pickett )
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Distinguished Service Medal Citation:
The President of the United States takes Pleasure in Presenting the Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal to:
George W. Alther, Jr.
Second Mate on SS Timothy Pickering 10/14/43
For heroism above and beyond the call of duty.
The vessel in which he was serving in 1941 was bombed by enemy planes and again a ship in which he served in 1942 was bombed and sunk. During an enemy air attack on a Sicilian port [Avola, Sicily] his third wartime vessel, loaded with ammunition, T.N.T., aviation gasoline, and British troops, was hit by a 500-pound bomb. The ship was split in two--ammunition exploded in the holds--and the water around the ship was a surface of burning gasoline. The Gunnery Officer was wounded on the lower deck amidship which was enveloped by flames, but with utter disregard for his own safety, Second Officer Alther went to his assistance and in so doing gave his life.
In unhesitatingly risking, and subsequently giving, his life in an heroic attempt to rescue a wounded fellow officer he maintained and enhanced the finest traditions of the United States Merchant Marine.
For the President
Admiral Emory Scott Land
( Citation Recorded by: Russ Pickett )
George served as a Second Mate, S.S. Timothy Pickering, U.S. Merchant Marines during World War II.
He resided in Melrose, Massachusetts prior to the war.
The duties of the Second Mate was to serve as the navigation officer, plot courses and takes celestial and terrestrial fixes. The second mate also handled the after deck when tying up. He normally stood the 12 to 4 watch.
The S.S. Timothy Pickering was hit by an Italian Ju 87 Stuka off Augusta, Sicily while anchored offshore at Avola, Sicily with the loss of "127" British servicemen, "22" United States Merchant seamen and "9" armed guards. Only one British serviceman survived the explosion.
George was declared "Missing In Action" in this sinking during the war.
He was awarded the Merchant Mariners "Distinguished Service Medal" and the Merchant Mariner's Medal with a Combat Star.
( Bio by: Russ Pickett )
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Distinguished Service Medal Citation:
The President of the United States takes Pleasure in Presenting the Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal to:
George W. Alther, Jr.
Second Mate on SS Timothy Pickering 10/14/43
For heroism above and beyond the call of duty.
The vessel in which he was serving in 1941 was bombed by enemy planes and again a ship in which he served in 1942 was bombed and sunk. During an enemy air attack on a Sicilian port [Avola, Sicily] his third wartime vessel, loaded with ammunition, T.N.T., aviation gasoline, and British troops, was hit by a 500-pound bomb. The ship was split in two--ammunition exploded in the holds--and the water around the ship was a surface of burning gasoline. The Gunnery Officer was wounded on the lower deck amidship which was enveloped by flames, but with utter disregard for his own safety, Second Officer Alther went to his assistance and in so doing gave his life.
In unhesitatingly risking, and subsequently giving, his life in an heroic attempt to rescue a wounded fellow officer he maintained and enhanced the finest traditions of the United States Merchant Marine.
For the President
Admiral Emory Scott Land
( Citation Recorded by: Russ Pickett )
He resided in Melrose, Massachusetts prior to the war.
The duties of the Second Mate was to serve as the navigation officer, plot courses and takes celestial and terrestrial fixes. The second mate also handled the after deck when tying up. He normally stood the 12 to 4 watch.
The S.S. Timothy Pickering was hit by an Italian Ju 87 Stuka off Augusta, Sicily while anchored offshore at Avola, Sicily with the loss of "127" British servicemen, "22" United States Merchant seamen and "9" armed guards. Only one British serviceman survived the explosion.
George was declared "Missing In Action" in this sinking during the war.
He was awarded the Merchant Mariners "Distinguished Service Medal" and the Merchant Mariner's Medal with a Combat Star.
( Bio by: Russ Pickett )
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Distinguished Service Medal Citation:
The President of the United States takes Pleasure in Presenting the Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal to:
George W. Alther, Jr.
Second Mate on SS Timothy Pickering 10/14/43
For heroism above and beyond the call of duty.
The vessel in which he was serving in 1941 was bombed by enemy planes and again a ship in which he served in 1942 was bombed and sunk. During an enemy air attack on a Sicilian port [Avola, Sicily] his third wartime vessel, loaded with ammunition, T.N.T., aviation gasoline, and British troops, was hit by a 500-pound bomb. The ship was split in two--ammunition exploded in the holds--and the water around the ship was a surface of burning gasoline. The Gunnery Officer was wounded on the lower deck amidship which was enveloped by flames, but with utter disregard for his own safety, Second Officer Alther went to his assistance and in so doing gave his life.
In unhesitatingly risking, and subsequently giving, his life in an heroic attempt to rescue a wounded fellow officer he maintained and enhanced the finest traditions of the United States Merchant Marine.
For the President
Admiral Emory Scott Land
( Citation Recorded by: Russ Pickett )
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