Thompson Funeral ChapelGeorge Stratos
CMSGT George Stratos (Retired) of Goodyear, Arizona passed away August 31, 2023 at the age of 98. He was born November 24, 1924 in Akron, Ohio to Andrew and Maria (Marentakes) Stratos. He was preceded in death by his parents and his son David George Stratos. He is survived by his wife of 71 years Irene May Stratos and daughter Debra Ann Stratos.
George was a proud veteran of the United States Air Force. His career in the military (enlisted and in the private sector) spanned nearly 50 years (1943 to 1990). He earned many awards and decorations during his time working for and with the Air Force.
In his free time, George enjoyed spending time with his family, watching the Ohio State Buckeyes play football, and watching M.A.S.H. on tv. He also an avid reader of western novels by William Johnstone. He was a loving husband and father and will be deeply missed.
A graveside service will be held at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. Details will be posted when available.
CMSGT George Stratos Military Service 1943-1974
Two weeks after graduating from high school, George entered the US Army
5 July 1943 Fort Haynes Ohio Inducted. 2 weeks. Got uniforms and took various aptitude tests such as IQ test and morse code test.
1943-1944 Camp Haan and Camp Irwin, California Battery D 125th AAA Gun Battalion and Battery B 144 AAA Gun Battalion. Basic training and received training on the 90 mm anti-aircraft gun; a skill George didn’t get to use as the Army Air Corps significantly cut AAA training and George was cross trained to the Infantry.
1944 Camp Howze, Gainesville Texas for 3-4 months – Company F 140th Infantry Battalion for infantry training.
1944 Fort Meade Maryland and Camp Kilmer New Jersey for overseas processing. Here he received new uniforms and briefings on European customs.
1944 Departed U.S. from New York on the RMS Queen Elizabeth (Troopship), arrived Grenlock, Scotland
1944-1946 England, France, Belgium, Germany
Company G 317th infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Regiment, 40th Mobile Repair and Reclamation Squadron — 9th Air Force (US Army).
28 Mar 1946 Camp Atterbury Indiana – discharged from the US Army.
1947 Enlisted in the US Air Force in Akron Ohio. Sent to Chanute AFB, Illinois for clothing and Medical
1947 Westover Field Massachusetts – 1377th Army Air Forces Squadron
1947-1948 Fairfield — Suisun Army Air Base California (later renamed Travis AFB) – 1501 Supply Squadron (warehouse worker)
1948 Camp Kilmer New Jersey for overseas processing
1948-1951 Burtonwood AFB England — 59th Air Depot Wing (Berlin Airlift support)
1951-1952 Bergstrom AFB Texas – 27th Supply Squadron (Supervised the Clothing Sales store)
1952 Camp Kilmer New Jersey overseas processing
1952-1955 RAF Wyton — RAF Lakenheath – RAF Mildenhall HQ 7th AD 3912 Air force Base Squadron
1955-1956 Lockbourne AFB Ohio – 801st Supply Squadron
1956 Fort Hamilton New York — DET 4 Overseas processing
1956-1960 Rome, Italy — Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) 1171st USAF Foreign Mission Squadron
1960-1962 WurstSmith AFB — Michigan — 379th Supply Squadron
1962 McGuire AFB New Jersey for overseas processing
1962-1965 Torrejon AFB Madrid Spain HQ 16th AF – 3970th Supply Squadron
1965-1966 Whitman AFB Missouri – 351st Supply Squadron
1966-1967 Cam Rahn Bay Air Base Vietnam — 12th Supply Squadron
1968 McGuire AFB, New Jersey – overseas processing
1968-1973 RAF South and RAF West Ruislip Air Stations England – HQ 3AF
1973-1974 Luke Air Force Base Glendale Arizona – 58th Supply Squadron
1 Sep 1974 Chief Master Sergeant George Stratos retired from the US Air Force (after 30 years of combined Army and Air Force active service)
Mr. George Stratos Department of the Air Force Civilian Service -1975-1990
1975 George landed a job as a Supply Section Supervisor (Civil Service) at Luke AFB AZ.
1990 George retired as the Deputy Chief of Supply at Luke AFB Az.
Awards and Decorations for George Stratos
US Army 5 Jul 1943 — 28 Mar 1946
Bronze Star Medal
World War 2 Victory Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Stars
American Campaign Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal with 2 bronze loops
Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp
Combat Infantryman Badge
US Army Marksmanship Qualification Badge with 2 Bars Rifle Marksman and Carbine Expert
Honorable Discharge Lapel Pin (Ruptured Duck)
US Air Force 1947 — 1 Sep 1974
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Air Force Good Conduct Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
National Defense Service Medal with 1 Star
Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with one Silver Oak leaf Cluster
NCO Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Viet Nam Service Medal with 1 Silver Star
Republic of Viet Nam Campaign Medal with Silver Plated 1960 Device
United Nations Service Medal
Medal for Humane Action (Berlin Airlift)
Air Force Small Arms Expert Ribbon
So sorry for your loss. I am sure George and my Dad crossed paths in their many years of service particularly while in Europe, specifically England and Luke Air Force base and perhaps at the Old Chiefs dinners. They both started their careers in the Army Air Corp. My Dad, CMSGT Joe A. Totusek passed April 7, 2011 on his and my Mom’s 66th wedding anniversary.
The Old Timers are gradually fading away. They are missed.