George Harry Traver

PFC George H Traver USMC, born May, 7 1918 – killed in action November 20, 1943. The son of the late Charles V Traver and Nellie (Cramer) Traver of Chatham, brother of the late Spencer Traver of Chatham, Frank Traver of Chatham, Pauline (Traver) Bailey of Dalton, MA and Katherine (Traver) Silliman of Chatham, and Uncle to 14 nieces and nephews and their families. He attended middle school at White Plains Public Schools, and high school at Chatham High. Prior to his enlistment he worked as a fireman on the Harlem Line, a Division of the New York Central Railroad System, alongside his father who was an engineer on the same line. He enlisted into the Marine Corp on January 22, 1942. He did his basic training in San Diego, CA at the 2nd Marine Division Training Center. He was assigned to Company K, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division. With this Division he served in the South Pacific during World War II. He was wounded in action on the Soloman Islands, Guadalcanal on November 13, 1942 and was killed in action on November 20, 1943 in the Gilbert Islands, Betio Tarawa Atoll. His body was not identified until February of 2016. Calling hours will be held Saturday, August 27th, 3 - 7pm at French, Gifford, Preiter & Blasl Funeral Home, 25 Railroad Avenue, Chatham, NY. A religious service will be celebrated at 2pm, August 28th, at the St. James Catholic Church in Chatham followed by interment and full military honors at the Chatham Rural Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations to the History Flight organization, 5409 Overseas Hwy #101, Marathon, FL 33050 would be appreciated. Condolences may be conveyed at frenchblasl.com.