World War II B-17 Waistgunner and POW George Rubin

We welcome 99-year-old WWII veteran George Rubin, a veteran of the 8th Air Force, 486th Bomb Group, 835th Squadron.

George graduated high school in 1943 and was drafted soon after, initially training as a pilot before being reassigned as a B-17 armorer and waist gunner. At just 19 years old, he joined his crew at Sudbury in the fall of 1944 and flew 18 missions before being shot down over Munich on February 25, 1945. His aircraft, losing multiple engines due to flak damage, attempted to reach Switzerland but was forced to crash-land near Sonthofen, Germany.

The entire crew survived, though Rubin suffered serious leg wounds. They landed near a Hitler Youth training camp, where they were quickly captured and threatened with execution. A German officer intervened, saving their lives, and they were subsequently imprisoned. Rubin was sent to Dulag Luft for interrogation before being transferred to Stalag 13D in early March 1945. Later that month, he and others were forced to march to Stalag 7A in Moosburg, where they were liberated by Patton’s forces on April 30 after a fierce three-hour battle.

Returning to the U.S. by July 1945, Rubin was stationed at Fort Dix, serving as an air steward assisting in the repatriation of POWs. He suffered from PTSD throughout his life, finally seeking treatment in his 90s. A visit to Sonthofen, recommended by his doctors, helped him find closure.

He continues to meet weekly with a PTSD support group, where he is the oldest member among Vietnam and Afghanistan veterans.

Later in life, Rubin embraced Quakerism and pacifism.

We’re grateful to UPMC for Life  for sponsoring this event!