Early Life in Rural Kansas
George A. Weeks was born on August 8, 1922, in the small community of Baileyville, Kansas. He was the only son of George E. and Clara Weeks and grew up on the family farm surrounded by four sisters—Mildred, Ruby, Clara, and Gladys. He attended Carroll School and later Seneca High School. Known for his friendly nature and strong work ethic, George remained close to his family and played a vital role in helping run the family farm before the war.
Answering the Call to Serve
In May 1944, at the age of 21, George enlisted in the U.S. Army as World War II raged overseas. He was assigned to the 155th Battalion of the 92nd Regiment and began training at Camp Hood, Texas. During this time, he served alongside several other young men from Nemaha County, including Albert Hasenkamp, Vernon Keegan, Wilfred Reist, Adrian Schmitz, and Bernard Schultejans. In September 1944, George was granted a short furlough to return home before shipping out for combat duty.
Service in France and Ultimate Sacrifice
After his furlough, George was sent overseas to join the fight in Europe. He landed in France in the fall of 1944, where U.S. forces were engaged in brutal combat following the D-Day landings and the battle for Normandy. Sadly, his time in combat was brief. On November 29, 1944, just weeks after arriving in Europe, Private George A. Weeks was killed in action near Laney, France, at the age of 22. His parents were notified shortly afterward, and the news sent ripples of grief through the community of Axtell and Nemaha County.
Remembering a Son and Brother
George’s death left a painful void for his family, especially as he was their only son. His sisters—Mrs. Mildred Suggett of Beattie, Mrs. Ruby Alspach of Sabetha, Mrs. Clara Biddle of Santa Ana, California, and Mrs. Gladys Fairfield near Axtell—mourned his passing alongside their parents. Known for his kind demeanor and loyal spirit, George was remembered by his community as a young man of strong character who had given his life for the sake of others.
Return Home and Final Resting Place
In August 1948, nearly four years after his death, George’s remains were returned to the United States aboard the U.S. Army Transport Lawrence Victory, one of the largest single shipments of war dead from Europe. He had originally been buried in a military cemetery in France. Once the ship arrived in New York, his body was sent to the American Graves Registration Distribution Center in Kansas City, Missouri, and then transferred to his hometown of Sabetha.
Memorial services were held on September 27, 1948, and George was laid to rest with full military honors. The service was attended by his family, friends, and neighbors, who gathered to honor the young man who gave everything in defense of freedom.
Legacy
Private George A. Weeks represents the thousands of small-town American soldiers who gave their lives in World War II. Though his time in uniform was brief, his sacrifice was profound. His story is one of quiet heroism—a young man who left behind the security of home and family to serve his country, ultimately paying the highest price. His memory lives on as part of the enduring legacy of the Greatest Generation
SOURCES
George A. Weeks
Courier Tribune
Oct 2, 1944
page 2
Albert Hasenkamp, Vernon Keegan, Wilfred Reist, George Weeks, Adrian Schmitz and Bernard Schultejans, Nemaha county boys, are all in 155th Bn of the 92nd Regiment, recently at Camp Hood, Texas, and were home on furlough last week. They will leave home on October 2nd and proceed to Fort Meade, Md. Two other Nemaha boys, Robert Pendland and John Cornell, have transferred to a paratroop company and will go to Ft. Benning, Ga., for training. They did not have a furlough at this time.
Courier Tribune
14 Dec 1944
page 1
News of Men and Women in Uniform
George A. Weeks
Killed in Action
Mr. and Mrs. Geo. E. Weeks of northeast of Axtell, received the heartbreaking news from the War Department, Monday, stating that their only son, Pvt. George A. Weeks, had been killed in action Nov. 9, somewhere in France. George was 22 years old the 8th of last August; he had been in the Army since last May, training at Camp Hood, Texas. He was home for a short furlough the latter part of September and had been overseas only a few weeks before giving his life for his country.
Previous to his entering the Army, George helped his parents farm. He was a very friendly lad and held in high esteem by all who knew him. Besides his parents, George is survived by four sisters, Mildred, Mrs. Lloyd Suggett, Beattie; Ruby, Mrs Harry Alspach, Sabetha; Clara, Mrs. Glen Biddle, Santa Ana, Calif.; and Gladys, Mrs. L. E. Fairfield, of northeast of Axtell, and other relatives who have the sincere sympathy of all in their great sorrow. Axtell Standard.
Marshall County News
21 Dec 1944
page 4
Pvt. Geo Weeks Killed in Action November 29
Axtell Youth Gives Life on French Battle Front
Pvt. George A. Weeks, 22, son of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. E. Weeks, near Axtell, was killed in action November 29, in France, according to word received by his parents from the War Department a week ago Monday.
Entering the army in May of this year, he had received his training at Camp Hood, Tex., and was home on a short furlough in September before going overseas. He had been across only a few weeks at the time of his death.
Born August 8, 1922, at Baileyville, he attended Carroll school and Seneca high school. Prior to entering the army he assisted in the operation of the family farm.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by four sisters, Mrs. Mildred Suggett, Beattie; Mrs. Ruby Alspach, Sabetha; Mrs. Clara Biddle, Santa Anas, calif.; and Mrs. Gladys Fairfield, near Axtell.
Courier Tribune
23 Aug 1948
Body of Private Weeks to be Returned to Sabetha
The Kansas City Quartermaster depot at Kansas City reports that the body of Private George A. Weeks has been returned from Europe, abroad the U.S. army transport Lawrence Victory, which was scheduled to reach New York last Thursday. The body will be brought to the American Graves distribution center at Kansas City, then as the routine of handling permits, will be escorted to Sabetha.
Private George A. Weeks was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. E. Weeks of Sabetha, formerly of the Baileyville community. Private Weeks was killed in action in France on November 8, 1944.
Sabetha Herald
25 Aug 1948
Body of George A Weeks to Be Returned for Burial
The body of the late Pvt. George A. Weeks, being returned from Europe aboard the U.S. Army transport Lawrence Victory scheduled to reach New York on or about Aug 19, will be forwarded at a later date through the American Graves Registration Distribution Center in Kansas City, Mo., to Sabetha the final destination requested by next of kin.
George’s father, George E. Weeks, 225 North 14th st. Sabetha has been notified in advance of the return of the body to the United States and will receive further notice concerning forwarding to the final destination. The Popkess Funeral Home is representing the family.
Courier Tribune
30 Sep 1948
pge 6
Sabetha
Hold Memorial Service for George A. Weeks
Memorial services were held Monday afternoon, Sept. 27 at two o’clock for George A Weeks, who gave his life for his country in World War II at Laney, France on Nov. 29, 1944. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. George E Weeks, who with their daughter, Gladys, live on North 4th street. The family moved here from Axtell three years ago to be near another daughter, Mrs. Harry Alspach.