George R. Fornwalt
Biography: George Robert Fornwalt was born on October 17, 1917, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. He was the son of George W. Fornwalt and Edna H. Bratton. He attended local schools and graduated from Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA, in 1939. In 1943, he graduated from Johnson Medical College in 1943. On October 30, 1943, he married the former Helen L. Howard in Lansdowne, PA. She was born in New York City and was the daughter of George W. Howard and Marie A Seixas. The new couple made their home in Philadelphia, PA.
George entered the Army on December 31, 1943, at Carlisle Barracks, PA. He was eventually assigned to the 643rd Tank Destroyer Battalion where he served as the Battalion Surgeon in Headquarters Company. The 643rd arrived at Cherbourg, France, on December 15, 1944, equipped with towed 3″ anti-tank guns. Their first engagement was near Manhay, Belgium, later that same month.
They crossed the Roer River on February 24, 1945, and then re-equipped with self-propelled M18 tank destroyers, in March. The 643rd crossed the Rhine River, at Wesel, and the Elbe River on their way to Zerbst, Germany. The unit then moved to the Harz Mountains and took up occupation duties. They received credit for the following campaigns: Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace and Central Europe. He was awarded a Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service per General Orders 102, HQ 83d Inf Div., dated May 16, 1945. He also earned the EAME, American Campaign, and WWII Victory Medals. He left the service on September 13, 1946, at Camp Beale, California.
After returning home, George completed his residency training at the Philadelphia Lying-in Hospital. He started his own practice in Obstetrics and Gynecology in Upper Darby, PA. He was on the staff at both Bryn Mawr Hospital and Delaware County Memorial Hospital, where he became Director of the Department of Ob-Gyn. He held this position for twelve years prior to his retirement in 1983. Over the years, he and Helen had five daughters, Diane, Sandra, Karen, Janice and Marlene.
George passed away on December 5, 2001, in Crofton, Maryland. He donated his body to science. The top photo of Captain Fornwalt is courtesy of the Siegman Archives at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia.