Bibb County GaArchives Photo Tombstone.....Vining, George Eugene ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: James W. Allen jallen46@cox.net July 28, 2005, 6:46 pm Cemetery: Linwood Cemetery Name: George Eugene Vining Date Of Photograph: June 25, 2005 Photo can be seen at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/bibb/photos/tombstones/linwood/vining6881ph.jpg Image file size: 130.0 Kb George Eugene Vining "Georgia U.S. Navy" b: August 1921 d: 7 December 1941 at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Additional Comments: When George Eugene Vining was born to his parents Eugene and Janie Brown Vining, there was no way on earth that anyone could have guessed he would leave such a mark in Macon history. No one could have told him that he would end up making the biggest sacrifice of all for his country. George was not the first of the Vining family to actively participate in the U.S. Armed Forces. Eugene Vining, George's father, was a veteran of World War I who also sacrificed himself for his country. Unfortunately, Eugene Vining was never able to fully recover from the injuries he sustained from the war and ended up passing away in 1922 when George was only a few months old. Little did George know, his life would take a similar path. George's early days of education were spent at L. H. Williams grammar school located in Pleasant Hill where he lived. Not only did he enjoy the academic aspects of L.H. Williams, he also delved into extracurricular activities such as volleyball and other sports. After grammar school, he continued his pursuit of education where he attended Ballard High School. He studied music and obtained a scholarship from Ballard. He also attended Hudson high school. He was a member of New Hope Baptist Church and attended up until he left the city. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1940. A noble choice that would change his life forever. George attended school in Norfolk, Virginia where he went through basic training and after completion was sent to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii where he was assigned as a mess attendant, second class on the U.S.S. California. On the morning of December 7, 1941, the whole United States of America was shocked when the Japanese launched a full scale aerial attack on Pearl Harbor. The attack came in waves which totaled 535 Japanese aircraft. Five of eight U.S. battleships were sunk or sinking and over 2400 Americans lost their lives. On this morning, George Eugene Vining would make the most important and noblest sacrifice for his country. In 1946 the Navy contacted Mrs. Vining and informed her that George's body would be shipped back to the states. Mrs. Vining requested that his body be brought back to the place that was nearest his heart and where he spent most of his life. On October 21, 1947 at 11 a.m. George's body arrived in Macon by train. The flag-draped casket was accompanied on the train by James Reid, steward's mate, first class. On hand to meet the train was a large number of Macon Naval personnel, Mayor Charles L. Bowden and Lt. Commander J. Hamilton Napier, USNR, commander of the Macon Reserves. His burial was scheduled for the next day on October 22nd at 4:30 p.m. George Eugene Vining was the first man from Macon, African American or Caucasian, to make the supreme sacrifice for the good of his Country. This brave and noble act certainly did not go unnoticed, especially in the Macon community. On October 22nd, George was buried with full military honors on the Vining's family plot located in Linwood cemetery. These honors were given by the members of the Vining-Goodman Post 501, which was named in his honor and in honor of Robert Goodman, another youth who gave his life for his country. From the beginning to end, the life of George Eugene Vining was one of dedication and devotion for a cause he believed in. Anyone who hears his life story will immediately be filled with a deep respect. Even in a white dominated society, he climbed up to that pedestal he envisioned in his mind and stood there proudly as it became a reality. This excerpt was taken from the "Climbing the Hill" booklet put together and printed by Mercer University students. This particular part was written by Richard Pipe. I have not written the complete text, but have included the main text for purposes of space. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/bibb/photos/tombstones/linwood/vining6881ph.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/gafiles/ File size: 4.7 Kb