George C. Yates

George Yates Obituary

WW II – Silver Star

George Calvin Yates, 96, passed away August 8, 2021.   He was born March 19, 1925 in Canonsburg and was the son of the late Joseph A. and Carrie George Yates. 

As a student of Canonsburg High School, he was a member of the wrestling team, a WPIAL champion and state runner up in 1942.  He attended his last year of high school at Valley Forge Military Academy where he served as co-captain of the school’s first wrestling team and won the Lehigh Valley Championship.  He graduated from Valley Forge in 1943.

Immediately after graduation he enlisted in the U. S. Army and served in the Americal Division during World War II in the Solomon and Philippine Islands.  He engaged in many battles at Cebu, Leyte and Bougainville and entered Japan after the surrender.  While in the Army, he won the Americal Senior Welterweight Boxing Title. He was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action on Mar 29, 1945 at Cebu, Philippine Islands.  His other medals included the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.  His name appears on the Wall of Valor at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Pittsburgh and VFW Post 764 in McMurray.

He was a graduate of Stonier Graduate School of Banking, Rutgers University in 1960. He worked as a banker and was retired from Pittsburgh National Bank where he was a vice president.  He also served on the board of the Washington YMCA, Canonsburg Hospital and Oak Spring Cemetery.

On Dec 31, 1952, he married Rose Alma Wagner Swihart who is deceased.  Surviving is son, George A. Yates, who was his caregiver; stepsons, Gary Swihart and Buck (Susan) Swihart,; step grandsons, B.J. (Jo-Anne), C.J. and Mike Swihart.  His sister, Marguerite Rankin, is deceased.  His brother, Joseph A. Yates, was killed over Germany on Nov. 6, 1944 when his plane was shot down.  Also deceased is his beloved pet Boxer, Mandi.

Friends will be received on Tuesday, August 10, from 4-7 pm at the Sollon Funeral and Cremation Services, LTD, at 30 E. College St. Canonsburg, Phillip Sollon, Supervisor.  Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 11, at 11 am in the funeral home.  Burial will be in Oak Spring Cemetery immediately following, with full military rites by the United States Army and VFW Post 191.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Oak Spring Cemetery, 238 Oak Spring Rd. Canonsburg, PA  15317.

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