... And Some
Gave All
Written and Compiled by Michael Ojeda and James Bongi
Additional Material Researched and Added by Matthew Lawrence and Gregory Flynn
A -B -C -D -E -F -G -H -I-J -K -L -M -N -O -P -Q-R -S -T -U-V -W -X-Y -Z
INTRODUCTION
The headline of the Targum on December 6, 1941 read: "Scarlet Hoopsters Begin Season Against University College Tonight." The paper also included stories about the upcoming baseball season and a special announcement regarding chapel the next day. Reverend Norman Thomas was scheduled to return to Rutgers for his annual sermon. Thomas, a well-known socialist leader, was expected to give his usual discourse on the faults of the American democratic system. The Reverend was respected, but was known to sometimes anger students with his anti-American viewpoints. Everyone "on the banks" that Saturday expected the next day's events to be quite uneasy, to say the least.
Sunday, December 7, 1941, came and went. Three days later, President Clothier appealed to the student body. He pleaded with students to be patient, continue to attend classes and not act prematurely. He advised his students not to succumb to the fervor of volunteerism and continue their education. Uncle Sam would not call for them until the time was right. Sadly, his own son, Arthur Wilson Clothier, would die in aviation cadet training only two months later.
Rutgers changed dramatically after December 7, 1941. The war affected the entire community and forced an institution of higher learning to evolve into a wartime establishment. The next issue of the Targum on Saturday, December 13, reported preliminary air raid defense plans and called for students to be on alert. It was later discovered that within the first week of America's involvement, Rutgers had already lost two alumni to the war effort. Lieutenant Frank Joseph Holden, a young Marine aviator, died at Wake Island shortly after Pearl Harbor was attacked. Corporal Richard W. Hartman died in the bombing of Manila on December 13. More than two hundred other Rutgers alumni would not return home from World War II.
Platt Adams, Jr. '46
(b. October 29, 1923, Newark, NJ-d. April 9, 1945, Schonenberg, Germany)
Attended Hand High School, Madison, CT
Entered Rutgers September 1942, attended one year
Entered Service March 23, 1943, U.S. Army, Corporal
During his freshman year, Platt pledged Delta Kappa Epsilon. After entering the Army, he trained at Drake University and Fort Leonard Wood. Upon going overseas, Platt served with the 66th Division, 264th Infantry. While in Germany, he died in an attempt to locate an enemy machine gun. His courage and gallantry enabled his platoon to locate and destroy the enemy's position. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.
Joseph Stark Alex '31
(b. August 18, 1905, Allentown, PA-d. November 5, 1944, Australia)
Attended Pennington High School
Entered Rutgers September 1927, attended one year, transferred from Kenyon College, Grambler, Ohio
Entered Service October 12, 1942, U.S. Navy Reserve, Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class, Chief Boatswains Mate, April 1944
Joseph was first stationed at the Naval Air Station in Glenview, IL. He died overseas after contracting tropical fever. He is buried in the Rockwood Cemetery in Sydney, Australia.
Willard G. Allen '37
(b. March 15, 1913, Brooklyn, NY-d. February 5, 1945, Germany)
Attended Erasmus Hall High School, Brooklyn, NY
Entered Rutgers September 1933, BS, May 1937
Entered Service April 18, 1941, U.S. Army, commissioned 2nd Lt., December 29, 1944
While at Rutgers, Willard was a member of Delta Upsilon, Spiked Shoe and the Varsity Club. He was a photo editor for the Scarlet Letter, the manager of the cross country team and the captain of the track team. Upon entering the service, he served with the 103rd Coast Artillery and was stationed in Virginia and Illinois. Willard went overseas on April 18, 1941 and served with the 115th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion. Granted a field commission, Willard was promoted from Master Sergeant to 2nd Lt. He was killed in action during the invasion of Germany.
Nathaniel Cyrus Altschuler '45
(b. March 8, 1925, New York, NY-d. September 24, 1944, Italy)
Attended East Orange High School, East Orange, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1941, attended two years
Entered Service June 10, 1943, U.S. Army, Private
While at Rutgers, Nathaniel was a member of the track team and cross country. He also worked on the Scarlet Letter. After joining the Army, he served with the infantry in Italy. In July 1944, he was wounded by shrapnel. As a result of those wounds, he died the following September.
Earle Victor Anderson '41
(b. January 20, 1920, West New York, NJ-d. June 7, 1943, Austin, NV)
Attended Memorial High School
Entered Rutgers September 1937, BS, Business Administration, May 1941
Entered Service June 8, 1941, U.S. Army, commissioned 2nd Lt., transferred to U.S. Army Air Force, 1st Lt., April 1942
At Rutgers, Earl was enrolled in the advanced ROTC course. He was a member of the honors program, a brother of Sigma Delta Pi and was known for his love of chess. Entering the service in 1941, Earl was assigned to the Quartermaster Corps at Shaw Field in Sumter, SC. In April 1942, he transferred to the Army Air Forces with the rank of 1st Lt. On May 31, 1943, Earl was acting as copilot on a training mission. That day, his converted Douglas B-23 crashed into a cliff 115 miles east of Reno. Both he and his pilot, Colonel Philip Love, were killed. Because of poor weather and the height of the cliff, Earl's remains were not recovered until June 7, 1943.
Philip Lyon Baker '44
(b. December 26, 1922, Millville, NJ-d. January 3, 1945, Aachen, France)
Attended Vineland High School, Vineland, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1940, attended three years
Entered Service 1942, U.S. Army, commissioned 2nd Lt.
A member of the Black Fifty, Philip received basic training at Fort McClellan in 1943 and attended Officer Candidate School in 1944. Philip served with the 255th Regiment of the 63rd Division, arriving in France in December 1944. His unit saw action at the Vosges Mountains and participated in a counteroffensive against German forces in that area. In his last letter home, dated the day before his death, Philip wrote:
"I spent New Year's day in an all but demolished French town. High Mass at noon brought forth everyone left. The people looked pathetic as they came down the narrow village street already overburdened with Army trucks, jeeps, tanks, and guns and filled with sweating G.I.'s. Their clothes were old but intact, and their half-demolished church stood bravely against the winter sky. And the sound of their singing filled the cold, frosty air, making an atmosphere of tragedy and hope it will be hard to forget."
He died shortly after writing this letter. While searching for a missing patrol, Philip crossed into enemy territory and was killed in action. His decorations included the Bronze Star for meritorious service and the Silver Star for gallantry.
Bernard Jacob Basch '44
(b. August 20, 1921, Hillside, NJ-d. March 23, 1944, Bougainville)
Attended Hillside High School, Hillside, NJ and Newark Junior College, Newark, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1940, attended two years
Entered Service May 1942, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, 1st Lt.
Bernard attended pre-flight training at Chapel Hill, NC and was commissioned in Pensacola, FL. He served in the 1st Marine Air Wing, with the famed VMF-216. On one mission, he discovered his guns were not working in order. After returning alone, he found they could not be fixed. Regardless of his own safety, he decided to fly with only two functioning guns in his left wing and successfully strafed enemy positions in the Buna passage. He loved to fly and frequently wrote home about his great admiration for his fellow pilots. He died when his plane crashed during combat in the area of Bougainville. His friends called him Bernie.
August Frederick Bauer '43
(b. June 6, 1921, Orange, NJ-d. January 10, 1945, Sibuyan Island)
Attended West Orange High School, West Orange, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1939, attendance unknown
Entered Service October 1942, U.S. Army, commissioned 2nd Lt., May 1943, 1st Lt.
August trained to be a pilot and navigator at Selman Field, LA. He went on to become the navigator of a B-25 while in action in the Pacific. He was awarded an Air Medal with two clusters before his bomber crashed on a mission near Sibuyan Island. He was declared missing in action and presumed dead on Januray 24, 1945. His friends called him Fritz.
Louis Alfred Bauer '43
(b. January 24, 1920, North Bergen, NJ-d. January 22, 1945, Luxembourg)
Attended Union Hill High School, Union Hill, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1939, attended one year
Entered Service October 1943, U.S. Army Air Forces, commissioned 2nd Lt., April 15, 1944
While at Rutgers, Louis was a member of Phi Gamma Delta. Like all of his fraternity brothers, Louis served as a spotter for the New Brunswick Air Raid Wardens' Society. On February 25, 1942, Louis married Sarah Sabo at Kirkpatrick Chapel. The ceremony was performed by Dean Metzger. He attended the Army Specialized Training Program at the University of Vermont. He also trained at Maxwell Field, AL and received advanced training at Albany Air Field, GA and Augusta Airfield, GA. Louis became a P-47 pilot and served in the European Theater of Operations before his plane was shot down over Luxembourg.
Winfield Ferris Baxter '31
(b. August 30, 1907, Bound Brook, NJ-d. August 6, 1944, Washington, DC)
Attended Bound Brook High School, Bound Brook, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1927, BA, Journalism, May 1931
After graduating from Rutgers, Winfield worked for a local newspaper and served on the staff of the Resettlement Administration and Farm Security Administration. He later became involved with a sociological investigation of subsistence homesteading. Consequently, he published an article titled, "Migratory Labor Camp" in Quartermaster Review. During the war, he worked for the War Department Division of Agriculture and Resettlement. He died suddenly in August 1944 for unknown reasons. His friends nicknamed him "Hoot."
Chester Benash '42
(b. July 19, 1916, Philadelphia, PA-d. March 30, 1943, place unknown)
Attended Woodbury High School, Woodbury, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1939, BS, Agriculture, May 1942
Entered Service May 8, 1942, U.S. Coast Guard, Ship's Cook 2nd Class
Chester transferred to Rutgers from the Drexel Institute of Technology. He majored in Poultry and minored in Agricultural Education. While at Rutgers, he was a member of Alpha Zeta, the Poultry Science Club and participated in intramural baseball and football. Chester served as president of the Agricultural Club, the Towers Club, and the Rutgers 4-H Club. After joining the Coast Guard, he was sent to Curtis Bay, MD and later to Boston, MA to serve on the Natsex. He was scheduled to enter Officer Candidate School on January 22, 1943, but was reported missing in action on December 17, 1942. Chester was presumed dead on March 30, 1943.
Ralph Hunter Bennett '43
(b. April 20, 192 1, Springfield, MA-d. March 3, 1945, Iwo Jima)
Attended Henry Snyder High School, Jersey City, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1939, BS, Education, May 1943
Entered Service April 3, 1943, U.S. Marine Corps, 1st Lt.
While at Rutgers, Ralph was a member of the track team and Spiked Shoe. He was on the staff of the Targum, a recipient of the Monsignor O'Grady Speech Award, a Kappa Sigma brother, a member of the History and International Relations Club and the Quad Club. Ralph also worked on the freshman handbook and the Junior Prom Committee. Upon going overseas, Ralph joined the 40th Replacement Battalion. He then served with the 2nd Battalion, 21st Marines, 3rd Division. He was later transferred to Company E, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines, 3rd Division. He saw action on Guam and led a flamethrower platoon during the Battle of Iwo Jima, where he was killed in action.
Thomas George Bilgrav '47
(b. March 4, 1926, Perth Amboy, NJ-d. July 3, 1945, Pacific)
Attended Perth Amboy High School, Perth Amboy, NJ
Entered Rutgers July 1943, attended one year
Entered Service March 14, 1944, U.S. Navy Reserve, Fire Controlman 3rd Class
Thomas received his basic training at the Naval Training Center in Sampson, NY and went overseas in February 1945. He died in action in the Pacific at the age of nineteen.
John Archibald Bole, Jr. '26
(b. March 28, 1906, Elmhurst, NY-d. March 22, 1943, Pacific)
Attended New Brunswick High School, New Brunswick, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1922, attended one year, transferred to U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD, BS Entered Service August 1923, U.S. Navy, Lt. (j.g.), 1931, Lt., 1934, Lt. Cmdr., June 1942
John was one of three brothers to attend Rutgers on four-year scholarships. While assigned to shore duty between 1935 and 1937, John completed postgraduate studies at both the Naval Academy and the University of California, Berkeley. He had a brilliant career in the Navy and is credited with sinking 54,000 tons of Japanese ships, including the 19,000 ton Toman Maru. In addition, John's submarine, the USS Amberjack, confiscated and delivered a cache of Japanese fuel to supply American planes at Guadalcanal and preempt a Japanese attack. During that battle, his ship sank six enemy transports. He drowned after the Amberjack went down in the Pacific. For his extraordinary heroism, John was awarded the Navy Cross and the Distinguished Service Cross. In November 1944, John's daughters, Margaret and Elizabeth, christened the destroyer USS Bole in his honor.
John G. Boyd '40
(b. July 16, 1907, Wilcox, AZ-d. February 7, 1944, Anzio, Italy)
Attended Wilcox High School, AZ and Roosevelt Military Academy, NM
Entered Rutgers Graduate School of Banking in 1940, attended one term
Entered Service September 19, 1940, U.S. Army National Guard, Captain, 1941, Major, September 1941
Upon graduation, John attended graduate school for one semester. After being called to active duty, John's unit was deployed overseas. He was killed in action at Anzio. His decorations included the Purple Heart with two oak leaf clusters and the Silver Star.
Richard Edwin Bradley, Jr. '45
(b. November 16, 1922, Glen Ridge, NJ-d. October 15, 1943, Daytona Beach, FL)
Attended Glen Ridge High School, Glen Ridge, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1941, attended one year
Entered Service November 1942, U.S. Navy Reserve, commissioned Ensign, August 23, 1943
While at Rutgers, Richard was a member of Chi Psi. He reported for active duty on January 4, 1943. Richard was first stationed at the Naval Air Station at Corpus Christi, TX. He died for unknown reasons while at the Naval Air Station at Daytona Beach, FL.
Marvin Leon Brawer '41
(b. January 6, 192 1, Paterson, NJ-d. November 30, 1944, Leipzig, Germany)
Attended Eastside High School, Paterson, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1937, BA, History/Political Science, June 8, 1941
Entered Service January 29, 1943, U.S. Army Air Forces, commissioned 2nd Lt., June 10, 1944
At Rutgers, Marvin was a member of Sigma Alpha Mu and served as a representative to the Interfraternity Council. He was also the ticket chairman of the Interfraternity Ball. He enjoyed swimming and took part in the 1939 Variety Show. Marvin served as a navigator on a B-17 Flying Fortress after undergoing extensive training in Atlantic City, NJ and the University of Buffalo, NY. He received his wings at Fort Myers, FL. Marvin died when his aircraft was shot down over Leipzig, Germany.
George I. Brigden, Jr. '45
(b. April 23, 1916, Montclair, NJ-d. January 9, 1945, Belgium)
Attended Bound Brook High School, Bound Brook, NJ
Entered Rutgers in September of 1941, attended one semester.
Entered Service February 10, 1943, U.S. Army, Private First Class
George was a non-matriculated student while at Rutgers. He served as an armored crewman in the European Theater of Operations. He was killed in action on January 9, 1945 in Belgium.
Thomas Gabriel Bright '44
(b. January 7, 1918, Jersey City, NJ-d. February 5, 1945, Germany)
Attended Dickenson High School, Jersey City, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1940, attended one year
Entered Service July 1941, U.S. Army, commissioned 2nd Lt., June 15, 1942, lst Lt., February 16, 1943, Captain, February 1, 1945
Thomas attended Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, GA in June 1942. He served in British Guiana for eighteen months before returning to the United States in February 1944. He was assigned to Camp Croft, SC and later to Camp Pickett, VA. Thomas was again sent overseas and arrived in England in October 1944. He saw action in France and Belgium before being killed in action in Germany. In memorial, a VFW building was named for him after the war. Thomas was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star.
John Oscar Broten '43
(b. September 15, 1919, Chicago, IL-d. July 4, 1944, France)
Attended Culver Military Academy, Chicago, IL
Entered Rutgers September 1939, attended one year
Entered Service February 3, 1942, U.S. Army Air Corps, commissioned 2nd Lt., October 1, 1942
John was the pilot of a B-24 Liberator in the European Theater of Operations. He was killed when his aircraft was shot down during the invasion of France.
Ross Belin Brower '43
(b. March 17, 1920, Cleveland, OH-d. September 27, 1944, Germany)
Attended Highland Park High School, Highland Park, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1939, BS, Chemistry, January 1943
Entered Service July 9, 1942, U.S. Army Air Forces, commissioned 2nd Lt., March 18, 1944
While at Rutgers, Ross was a member of the Chemistry Club. Ross was called to active duty on April 8, 1943. He served with the 445th Bomb Group, 701st Squadron as an aerial navigator. His plane was shot down while on a mission over Germany.
Douglas Brown '40
(b. August 17, 1918, Jersey City, NJ-d. August 30, 1944, Saipan)
Attended The Savage School for Physical Education
Entered Rutgers September 1939, BS, Education, June 1940
Entered Service February 3, 1941, U.S. Army, Technical Sergeant 4th/g
Douglas was deployed overseas soon after entering the service. He was killed in action on Saipan on August 30, 1944.
William Bradford Brown '41
(b. July 21, 1914, Chicago, IL-d. April 9, 1945, Germany)
Attended Plainfield High School, Plainfield, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1937, attended one year
Entered Service February 1942, U.S. Army, commissioned 2nd Lt., October 1942, 1st Lt., February 1943, Captain, February 1944
William was an instructor at the Motor School in Fort Benning, GA before going overseas in September 1944. He was killed in action during the invasion of Germany.
Alfred Edward Brossard '45
(b. July 19, 1920, New Brunswick, NJ-d. January 12, 1947, FL)
Entered Rutgers in September 1941, attended one and a half years
Entered Service February 1943, Army Air Corps
While at Rutgers, Alfred was a Journalism major and a member of Kappa Sigma. He died in a plane crash near Cocoa, FL.
Harold M. Busch '42
(b. December 22, 1920, New Brunswick, NJ-d. December 31, 1944, Newark, NJ)
Attended New Brunswick High School, New Brunswick, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1938, BS, 1942
Entered Service June 20, 1942, Army Medical Corp Reserves, 2nd Lieutenant
While at Rutgers, Harold was vice president of Alpha Omega Dental Fraternity and the treasurer of the American Dental Association, as well as a member of the Student Council. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Dental School in December of 1944. He died of pneumonia days later.
Charles William Campbell '43
(b. July 9, 1921, Highland Park, NJ-d. February 1, 1945, South Pacific)
Attended Highland Park High School, Highland Park, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1939, BA, History/Political Science, May 1943
Entered Service February 1943, U.S. Marine Corps, commissioned 2nd Lt., June 2, 1943, 1st Lt., December 1, 1944
Charles was a member of Delta Upsilon and the Honor School during his junior and senior years. He also worked as a supervisor at the Raritan Arsenal. Following his training, in November 1943, Charles went overseas where he served as commander of a tank platoon with the 1st Marine Division. Charles died as a result of shrapnel wounds while in action in the Palau Islands. Charles' friends remembered him as good-natured and easy-going.
Edward Hugh Carleton '41
(b. July 22, 1919, Carteret, NJ-d. December 14, 1942, Corpus Christi, TX)
Attended Carteret High School, Carteret, NJ and Rahway High School, Rahway, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1937, attended one year
Entered Service July 15, 1942, U.S. Navy Reserve, Aviation Cadet
Edward died as a result of injuries received in a mid-air collision at the U.S. Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, TX. He was to have been commissioned one month later.
James Robert Carmichael '40
(b. March 17, 1916, Athenia, NJ-d. May 30, 1944, England)
Attended Central High School, Paterson, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1936, attended one year
Entered Service October 10, 1941, U.S. Army, Staff Sergeant
While finishing Intelligence Combat School in Iceland, James was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was subsequently sent to England in November 1943 to attend a technical school. In England, James died of injuries sustained during demolition training.
Stephen Changary '45
(b. April 25, 1922, Manville, NJ-d. September 1, 1944, South Pacific)
Entered Rutgers in September 1941, attended one year
Entered Service September 28, 1942, U.S. Navy Reserve, Machinist's Mate 3rd Class
While at Rutgers, Stephen attended University College. He went missing from the USS Robalo and was later reported killed in action in the Pacific on September 1, 1944.
Kenneth Andrew Chewey '44
(b. July 30, 1922, Newark, NJ-d. July 23, 1945, Manila, Philippines)
Attended Belleville High School, Belleville, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1940, attended three years
Entered Service October 2, 1942, U.S. Army, commissioned 2nd Lt., May 20,1944
While at Rutgers, Kenneth majored in Electrical Engineering. He was a master concert violinist and served as president of Tau Kappa Epsilon. A member of the Black Fifty, Kenneth attended Officer Candidate School at Fort Monmouth in 1944. He trained at Camp Crowder, MD and was deployed overseas in January 1945. He served with the Signal Corps in New Guinea and the Dutch East Indies. He also participated in the invasions of Leyte and Luzon. He was stationed at a Signal Service Battalion at Santa Mesa, Philippines when he became ill. He died shortly after in a Manila hospital.
Bernard Miller Christensen '43
(b. April 21, 1919, Woodbridge, NJ-d. March 22, 1945, Belgium)
Attended Woodbridge High School, Woodbridge, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1939, attended two years
Entered Service October 1941, U.S. Army, commissioned 2nd Lt.
Bernard served with an infantry unit in Europe. He was reported missing in action in Belgium on December 16, 1944 and declared dead three months later.
Harold Dunbar Clifford '29
(b. February 18, 1906, Elizabeth, NJ-d. February 22, 1945, Germany)
Attended Rahway High School, Rahway, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1925, attended one semester, graduated from the American Institute of Banking
Entered Service November 23, 1942, U.S. Army, Corporal
After graduating from the American Institute of Banking, Harold went on to serve on the Board of Directors of the First National Bank of Carteret and the Carteret Trust Company. Before serving in the infantry, Harold was in the financial section of the 28th Division in Luxembourg. He was reported missing in action on December 22, 1944, after the German attack on Wiltz. The German Government later reported him as a prisoner of war. While in the POW camp, Harold died of pneumonia.
Russell Sawyer Cobb '47
(b. August 31, 1925, Walton, NY-d. February 26,1945, Germany)
Attended Hasbrouck Heights High School, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ
Entered Rutgers July 1943, attendance unknown
Entered Service March 1942, U.S. Army
Russell entered the service as part of the Army Specialized Training Program at Syracuse University. When the program was discontinued, Russell transferred to the 345th Infantry. He attended basic training at Fort Benning, GA and was transferred to Fort Jackson, SC. He later served with the 87th "Golden Acorns" Division and fought at Metz and Bastogne. He was killed in action near Neuenstein, Germany.
[The Rutgers Oral History Archives would like to thank James Hennessey, who fought alongside Russell Cobb in the 345th Infantry and was with him the day he died, for providing information for this entry.]
Vincent Ely Cockefair '28
(b. December 4, 1906, New Brunswick, NJ-d. August 10, 1944, Mortain, France)
Attended New Brunswick High School, New Brunswick, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1924, BS, Mechanical Engineering, May 1928
Entered Service June 1928, U.S. Army, commissioned 2nd Lt., June 1928, 1st Lt., September 28, 1931, Captain, October 16, 1935, Major, June 1941, Lt. Colonel, February 1942, Colonel
At Rutgers, Vincent was in the band and served as captain of the rifle team. He received the silver medal for his team at the marksmanship contest held at Plattsburg Barracks. During training at Fort Benning, GA, Vincent lectured at reserve officer's meetings and assisted in the planning and implementation of the summer program at Fort Dix, NJ. Vincent was called to active duty in February 1941. In France, he served with the 36th Armored Division, lst Army. He was killed in action by a high explosive shell that was meant to breach Allied lines in the Mortain area of France. Men under his command remembered him as a brave leader and a gentlemen. Vincent came from a long line of patriotic servicemen. He had ancestors who served in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812 and the Civil War.
George Alexander Cohn '34
(b. December 14, 1911, Springfield, MA-d. January 22, 1945, France)
Attended Lyndhurst High School, Lyndhurst, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1930, BL, Journalism, June 1934
Entered Service February 1, 1944, U.S. Army, Private First Class
While at Rutgers, George was in the Spanish Club and the Honor School. He served with the 36th Division, 7th Army in Europe. George was wounded in Strasbourg, France on January 21, 1945 and died the next day.
Charles George Coleman '47
(b. date unknown, Port Murray, NJ-d. December 3, 1944, France)
Entered Rutgers September 1943, attendance unknown
Entered Service September 21, 1943, U.S. Army, Private
Charles served with the infantry in France. He died of wounds received in battle on December 3, 1944.
Jack Wendell Collins '45
(b. January 30, 1920, Summit, NJ-d. January 6, 1945, England)
Attended Regional High School, Springfield, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1941, attended one year
Entered Service October 8, 1942, U.S. Army Air Forces
Jack was called to active duty January 30, 1943. He served in the European Theater of Operations until his death on January 6, 1945. His decorations included the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters.
Update: In September 2006, the Rutgers Oral History Archives received the following information from Chris Argent of Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, England. Mr. Argent has conducted research into the crash of First Lieutenant Jack Wendell Collins' Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress for almost fifteen years. His research included interviews with the co-pilot, Robert J. Doran, and family members of those who lost their lives in that tragic accident on the morning of Saturday, January 6, 1945. What follows is a summary of Mr. Argent's research:
"This B-17 and her crew belonged to the 94th Bomb Group, 410th Bombardment Squadron, and was based at Bury St. Edmunds (Rougham) Airfield. The target for that day was Kaiserslautern, in Germany. This was to be at least the crew's eighteenth mission out of a combat tour of thirty-five missions. It is possible that, being a pilot, Jack could have flown a few more by this time.
The aircraft sped down the runway, with six one-thousand-pound bombs onboard and with a full fuel load. Just after the wheels had left the ground, the number four engine failed. Unable to climb and with a farmhouse directly in their flight path, First Lieutenant Jack Collins and his co-pilot, Second Lieutenant Robert J. Doran, diverted the doomed B-17 to the right, narrowly missing the farmhouse and its occupants. Crashing into a small wooded copse, the B-17 came to a stop, digging into the ground and breaking in half. Fire then engulfed the aircraft and surrounding area. The time was 8:15 AM and five of the nine-man crew were already dead.
The remaining four crew members fought to get out of the aircraft. The co-pilot, amazingly, had survived. Though he had suffered broken bones, burns and been temporarily blinded by fuel, he just stepped out of the badly mangled cockpit onto the ground. The nose of the B-17 had completely buried itself into the ground. The other survivors were the waist gunner, the ball-turret gunner and the tail gunner. Just after the four survivors had escaped, at least three of the one-thousand-pound bombs exploded, sending parts of the B-17 and debris over a two-mile area. Bits landed where the crews' quarters were.
Though the farmhouse was badly damaged by the blast, only minor injuries occurred. The survivors were quickly picked up and taken to hospital. None of these airmen flew during World War II again.
As sad as this crash was, it did not end there. During the course of my research, it was discovered that the navigator who died in this crash, Second Lieutenant Gordon F. Henry, was from a different crew, as Jack Collins navigator was ill and could not fly on this mission. Also, about two or three years after the end of World War II, the tail gunner, Sergeant Cecil H. Schermerhorn, was killed in a car crash with his family. After being blinded by oncoming headlights, his car smashed into a bridge. At the moment, I am still trying to locate where this happened and where Sergeant Schermerhorn was buried. The other survivor, Sergeant Ony M. Carrico, the ball-turret gunner, if still alive, is now the only crew member left.
At the scene of the crash, there are two craters left. The smaller one is where the nose buried into the ground and the larger one is where the bomb bay area was. This is about seven-feet deep and over fifty feet across. The rest of the area is surrounded by trees and housing. Also, next to the crash site, there is a Community Centre; in there is a room named after the B-17 (Mission Mistress). The crew in this crash will not be forgotten.
About twenty-eight miles west of Bury St. Edmunds, just outside Cambridge, is the American Military Cemetery at Madingley. It is here that First Lieutenant Jack W. Collins, Second Lieutenant Gordon F. Henry and Sergeant Clinton R. Hallman, Jr., are buried. Staff Sergeant James F. Tate (top turret gunner/engineer) and Sergeant Raymond J. Von Bokel (radio operator) are buried in Louisville, Kentucky, in a joint grave.
The crew of Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress 42-97082 Mission Mistress:
First Lieutenant Jack W. Collins, Pilot. KIA
Second Lieutenant Robert J. Doran, Co-Pilot.
Second Lieutenant Gordon F. Henry, Navigator. KIA
Sergeant Clinton R. Hallman, Togglier (Bombardier). KIA
Staff Sergeant James F. Tate, Top Turret Gunner/Engineer. KIA
Sergeant Raymond J. Von Bokel, Radio Operator. KIA
Sergeant Ony M. Carrico, Ball Turret Gunner.
Sergeant Nicholas A. Urda, Waist Gunner.
Sergeant Cecil H. Schermerhorn, Tail Gunner."
Our thanks go out to Mr. Argent.
Walter William Colpitts II '38
(b. December 22, 1916, Teaneck, NJ-d. October 24, 1944, South China Sea)
Attended Teaneck High School, Teaneck, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1934, BS, Liberal Arts, June 12, 1938
Entered Service July 1939, U.S. Army Air Corps, commissioned 2nd Lt., March 1940, 1st Lt.
Walter belonged to the Honor School and served on both the Sophomore Hop Committee and the Junior Prom Committee. He was also on the football team, boxing team and rowed for the Crew Club, which he managed all four years. He served as a pursuit ship pilot and was present at every opening of an American airfield in the Philippine Islands. Walter was at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked on December 7, 1941. He was reported missing the following July. On March 12, 1943, the Japanese government reported him as a prisoner of war in Cabanatuan, Philippines. Walter and over 1,700 other prisoners died when the ship that was transferring them to Japan was struck by submarine fire.
Gilbert Woodhull Tennent Combs, Jr. '43
(b. September 11, 1920, South Orange, NJ-d. July 3, 1944, Buquest, France)
Attended Columbia High School, Maplewood, NJ and Carteret Academy, Carteret, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1939, attended two years
Entered Service July 1, 1942, U.S. Army, commissioned 2nd Lt., February 4, 1943
While serving in France, Gilbert was in command of a volunteer reconnaissance patrol. The patrol was charged with obtaining information concerning the strength and position of the enemy. While advancing into enemy territory on the outskirts of Buquest, the patrol was fired upon and pinned down. Lt. Combs ordered a withdrawal. Despite this, he remained in order to give aid to a member of his patrol who had been fatally wounded. He directed fire on a house held by the enemy, reorganized his unit and returned to recover his fallen comrade. Gilbert was killed in action while attending to the wounded soldier. Gilbert was posthumously awarded the Silver Star.
Nuel Dinsmore Corwin '46
(b. January 27, 1924, Chester Hill, PA-d. June 14, 1944, England)
Attended Haddonfield High School, Haddonfield, PA
Entered Rutgers September 1942, attended one year
Entered Service February 1943, U.S. Army Air Forces, Staff Sergeant
Nuel was a ball turret gunner on a B-24 Liberator and participated in the D-Day invasion of France. He was killed in action near England shortly thereafter.
John Joseph Cox '43
(b. February 26, 1921, East Orange, NJ-d. October 23, 1944, Germany)
Attended East Orange High School, East Orange, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1939, BS, Agriculture, May 1943
Entered Service February 23, 1943, U.S. Army, commissioned 2nd Lt., January 28, 1944
At Rutgers, John was a member of the German Club, the Raritan Club and Club Ford, where he served as vice president during his junior year. John loved to travel and went on cruises in the West Indies during his time at Rutgers. In addition, he participated in soccer and worked on the Agriculture Field Day Committee. As an ROTC 2nd Lt., John was known to be very tough on his drill platoon. He attended Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, GA before going overseas with the 116th Infantry, 29th Division in August 1944. John later served in the Battle of Brest. He died of wounds received in Germany on October 23, 1944.
Alfred Francis Cramer '39
(b, May 16, 1916, Newark, NJ-d. January 26, 1944, Anzio, Italy)
Attended East Orange High School, East Orange, NJ and Newark Technical School, Newark, NJ
Entered Rutgers University College September 1936, College Certificate in Chemistry, 1939
Entered Service July 1942, U.S. Army, Staff Sergeant
Alfred served with a Chemical Warfare Division before being killed in action at Anzio.
John Edward Croak '45
(b. May 13, 1917, Troy, PA-d. August 1, 1944, France)
Entered Rutgers September 1941, attended one year
Entered Service June 7, 1942, U.S. Army, Sergeant
John was killed in action during an engagement in France.
Robert Press Davey, Jr. '43
(b. March 26, 192 1, Philadelphia, PA-d. December 27, 1942, Solomon Islands)
Attended Haddon Heights High School, Haddon Heights, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1939, attended three years
Entered Service February 1942, U.S. Marine Corps, 1st Lt.
While at Rutgers, Robert was a member of Chi Phi. Robert was called to active duty in May 1942. He became a Corsair pilot with the 216th Marine Fighter Group. He completed his pre-flight training in Chapel Hill, NC, his primary training at the Philadelphia Navy Yard and his advanced training in Pensacola, FL. He was stationed in Chicago before being shipped to Italy to serve with the 15th Air Force. Robert later died when his plane was sabotaged by the enemy in Bougainville. The damage caused him to veer off the runway and crash into a fuel truck.
Louis J. Denkovic '45
(b. date unknown, Dunellen, NJ-d. May 4, 1945, Luzon, Philippines)
Entered Rutgers September 1941, attended one year
Entered Service U.S. Army Air Corps, August 1943, commissioned 2nd Lt., 1st Lt.
While at Rutgers, Louis attended University College. He trained at Spence Field, Monterey, GA and served in New Guinea before being killed in action when his plane was shot down over Luzon. He was awarded the Air Medal posthumously.
Henri Gerald DeOlden '31
(b. March 14, 1906, Paterson, NJ-d. June 4, 1943, Tunisia)
Attended Paterson Normal School, Paterson, NJ
Entered Rutgers Graduate School of Education October 1929, MA, June 1931
Entered Service February 1941, U.S. Army, commissioned 2nd Lt., April 4, 1931, 1st Lt., May 5, 1934, Captain, June 4, 1940, Major, September 21, 1942
Henri served with the infantry in North Africa before being killed in Tunisia.
William Vail Dexter, Jr. '40
(b. July 22, 1917, Wayne County, PA-d. July 17, 1945, Iwo Jima)
Attended Callicoon High School, NY
Entered Rutgers September 1936, attended one semester
Entered Service July 1, 1942, U.S. Army Air Forces, commissioned WO-1/Flight Officer, June 5, 1944
Richard Alden Divine '46
(b. June 18, 1924, Trenton, NJ-d. April 17, 1945, Schierke, Germany)
Attended Hamilton High School, Trenton, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1942, attended one year
Entered Service July 3, 1943, U.S. Army, Private First Class
Richard trained with the Army Air Forces before being transferred to the Army Specialized Training Program at the University of New Hampshire. He trained at Camp Pickett, VA before going overseas to serve with the 1st Division, 1st Army in France and Belgium. He was killed in action as Allied forces entered Schierke, Germany.
Charles Righter Dixon, Jr. '38
(b. August 27, 1914, Hackensack, NJ-d. March 10, 1943, North Africa)
Attended Leonia High School, NJ and Bergen County College, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1935, BS, Education, June 1938
Entered Service March 1940, Royal Canadian Air Force, Flight Sergeant, commissioned Warrant Officer 2nd Class
While at Rutgers, Charles was a member of the Scarlet Key, the varsity water polo team, the swim team, the Senior Ball Committee and Alpha Kappa Psi. He married Jessie Blair Tallman on November 26, 1942. Charles was killed in action with the Royal Canadian Air Force over North Africa.
Edward Francis Drake '32
(b. March 19, 1911, Paonia, CO-d. December 21, 1943, Mediterranean)
Attended Plainfield High School, Plainfield, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1928, BA, May 1932
Entered Service April 1942, U.S. Army, commissioned 2nd Lt., May 12, 1942, 1st Lt., November 1942, Captain, April 15, 1943, Major, October 1943
While at Rutgers, Edward was a member of Chi Psi, the Student Council and the Spiked Shoe Honoree Track Fraternity. For two years, he was editor-in-chief of the Scarlet Letter and associate editor of the Targum. Edward played football, basketball, and raced at the Penn Relays as a member of the track team. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa and was a member of Cap and Skull. In September 1932, he was the youngest of five men from the Mid-Atlantic Region to receive a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford. Edward served with the Intelligence Division of the Army Air Forces for 16 months in North Africa. While there, he gathered information that resulted in a successful attack on the German airbase at Foggia, Italy. He died in a plane crash over the Mediterranean shortly after being promoted to Major. He was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service in the Northwest African Strategic Air Force.
John Kenneth Dupuis '43
(b. May 15, 1919, Winstead, CT-d. October 11, 1944, France)
Attended Grover Cleveland High School, New York, NY
Entered Rutgers September 1939, BA, Business Administration, 1943
Entered Service March 1943, U.S. Army, commissioned 2nd Lt., September 20, 1943
While at Rutgers, John was a member of the Scarlet Rifles, the Commuters Club and was an ROTC Cadet 2nd Lt. Commuting daily from Freehold, John was remembered as being very ambitious and a natural leader. He served with the infantry in Paris before being killed in action.
Ronald Vincent Eardley '41
(b. September 28, 1917, Bootle, England-d. March 1, 1945, Germany)
Attended New Brunswick High School, New Brunswick, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1937, BS, Agriculture, June 8, 1941
Entered Service July 8, 1941, U.S. Army, commissioned 2nd Lt., June 8, 1941, Captain
While at Rutgers, Ronald was a Soil Chemistry major. He was elected to the Scabbard and Blade Society and the Alpha Zeta Society. Ronald was also a Lt. Colonel in the Advanced ROTC 1st Battalion, a member of the Agriculture Club and the Sophomore Hop Decorations Chairman. He commuted from Stelton and was also a member of the Scarlet Rifles. Ronald trained at Camp Pine, NY, Fort Benning, GA and Camp Gordon, GA. Ronald went overseas to serve as a tank commander in the 21st Tank Battalion, 10th Armored Division in France. His unit received a commendation for liberating 100 square miles of France while also occupying 50 square miles of Germany. His unit was responsible for capturing 2,000 prisoners. He died in action during a German counterattack on March 1, 1945.
Edmond Lehr Eliason, Jr. '41
(b. November 11, 1919, Philadelphia, PA-d. August 13, 1945, Yokohama, Japan)
Attended Ocean City High School, Ocean City, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1937, BS, Business Administration, June 8, 1941
Entered Service September 1, 194 1, U.S. Army Air Corps, 2nd Lt., May 1942, 1st Lt.
While at Rutgers, Edmund was the treasurer of Theta Chi as well as a member of the Scarlet Rifles and the Spiked Shoe Honorary Track Fraternity. He graduated as an ROTC Cadet Officer. Edmond trained at Camp Pine with the 4th Armored Division before being transferred to the Army Air Forces in September 1943. At Turner Field, GA, Edmund was an instructor on a B-25 before volunteering for Army Rescue Squadron Service near Japan. He was killed in action after one month of service during a rescue mission in Tokyo Bay, where two Japanese fighters attacked his plane. His remains were recovered on September 15, 1945. Edmund and his crew were found on the Chiba Peninsula and buried in nearby Yokohama, Japan.
John Franklin Ennis '45
(b. January 21, 1923, Brooklyn, NY-d. October 24, 1945, Arheilgen, Germany)
Attended Westfield High School, Westfield, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1941, attended one year
Entered Service April 1943, U.S. Army, Private lst Class
While at Rutgers, John was involved in band. He later served with the Corps of Engineers in Europe during the war. Still in Germany, he died of pneumonia after the end of the war.
Clark U. Espenship '42
(b. February 18, 1921, Highland Park, NJ-d. June 5, 1943, Turner Field, GA)
Attended Highland Park High School, Highland Park, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1938, BS, Agriculture, May 4, 1942
Entered Service May 4, 1942, U.S. Army Air Forces, commission 2nd Lt., March 1943
While at Rutgers, Clark majored in Agronomy and minored in Soils. While commuting from Highland Park, he won numerals in fencing and soccer and lettered in soccer. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting and worked summers as a short order cook. Clark completed his basic training in Bennettsville, SC and his pre-flight training at Maxwell Field, AL. Upon graduation from training, he was assigned to be an instructor at Turner Field, GA. While there, he died in a plane crash.
Morton Harold Estrin '40
(b. March 10, 1918, Newark, NJ-d. August 16, 1945, South Pacific)
Attended South Side High School, Newark, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1936, BS, May 1940
Entered Service June 4, 1941, U.S. Army Air Corps, Captain
While at Rutgers, Morton was a member of Sigma Alpha Mu, treasurer of the Interfraternity Council and a member of the swim team. He died when his plane crashed on the way to the Moratai Islands.
Anna Jane Evans '35
(b. April 1, 1914, Jersey City, NJ-d. October 18, 1945, Camp Lee, VA)
Attended Columbia High School, Maplewood, NJ
Entered New Jersey College for Women, September 1931, BA, June 1, 1935
Entered Service August 15, 1944, Army Nurses Corps, commissioned August 15, 1944
While at Rutgers, Anna was president of her senior class. After leaving, she worked for New Jersey Bell Telephone Company, then later went back to school for physical therapy at the Cleveland Clinic. Anna's first assignment was to the Valley Forge (Pa.) Hospital, and was later transferred to the Regional Hospital at Camp Lee. According to her father, Anna lived by the motto, "What's worth doing at all is worth doing well." She died in an automobile accident near Camp Lee, VA.
Allen Thorne Everett, Jr. '41
(b. February 22, 1918, Rutherford, NJ-d. June 8, 1943, Pensacola, FL)
Attended Rutherford High School, Rutherford, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1937, attended three years
Entered Service December 23, 1940, U.S. Navy Reserve, commissioned Ensign, June 6, 1941, Lt. (j.g.), June 5, 1942, Lt., March 1, 1943
Allen served as a Naval Aviator with 1,400 flying hours. He died when his plane crashed on a training flight over Pensacola, FL.
John Thomas Everett '43
(b. July 21, 1922, Philadelphia, PA-d. June 8, 1944, Normandy, France)
Attended Haddonfield High School, Haddonfield, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1939, BS, Business, May 1943
Entered Service March 15, 1943, U.S. Army, commissioned 2nd Lt., September 15, 1943
While at Rutgers, John was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon, where he became secretary and eventually president. He was a member of the football team, the crew team, Targum, and the Rowing Club. In Scarlet Key, he served as both secretary and treasurer. John also acted as a Chapel Usher, Student Council secretary, and senior class vice president. He was inducted into both Crown and Scroll and Cap and Skull. John graduated at the top of his Officer Candidate School class at Fort Benning, GA and received additional training at Fort Jackson. He served with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry, 4th Division during the Normandy invasion. John was killed when he attempted to accept the surrender of a German position. The German soldiers had no intention of surrendering and fired upon him when he came in range. His unit returned fire and destroyed the position. John's commanding officer later wrote in a letter to the University that he "never served with an officer who surpassed Lt. Everett in a sense of duty and in moral and physical courage." John was awarded the Purple Heart and the Silver Star. He is buried in France, at the Sainte-Mère-Église Cemetery.
James Case Evert '42
(b. January 3, 1921, Merchantville, NJ-d. June 1, 1942, Maryville, LA)
Attended Merchantville High School, Merchantville, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1938, BS, Business Administration, May 1942
Entered Service November 6, 1942, U.S. Army
While at Rutgers, James was an accounting major and earned his numerals in crew. He was a member of Zeta Psi, vice president of Tau Kappa Alpha, served as manager of the debate team and was an active member in Little Theater. A State Scholarship recipient, James was also inducted into the National Honorary Forensic Society. After joining the Army, James trained at Camp Polk, LA. He was serving with the 41st Armored Regiment, 11th Armored Division while he was in training. During a tactical maneuver, he and five others crossed the Sabine River into Texas. During this action, a member of the team, Private Goldberg of Dorchester, MA, was caught in a current. James dove in to assist him, but was unable to save the heavier victim, causing both to drown. He was posthumously awarded the Soldier's Medal for heroism.
Norman Kohler Eypper '20
(b. December 11, 1895, Hackensack, NJ-d. September 17, 1945, Italy)
Attended Hackensack High School, Hackensack, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1914, attended three years
Entered Service with the American Red Cross, February 5, 1945
Norman served as Assistant Field Director for
the Red Cross in Italy. He died on September 17, 1945.
Richard Lewis Fairchild '31
(b. September 31, 1908, Brooklyn, NY-d. April 24, 1945, Luzon, Philippines)
Attended Roslyn High School, Brooklyn, NY
Entered Rutgers September 1927, BA, June 5, 1931
Entered Service January 1941, U.S. Army, Technical Sergeant
While at Rutgers, Richard was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha and the lacrosse team. He served as a Technical Sergeant with Company D, 145th Infantry, 37th Division in New Zealand. He was awarded the American Defense Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with four battle stars, the Army Good Conduct Medal and the Bronze Star for bravery at Bougainville. He was killed in action at Luzon on April 24, 1945.
Arthur Samuel Feller '40
(b. April 13, 1918, New Brunswick, NJ-d. September 15, 1944, France)
Attended New Brunswick High School, New Brunswick, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1936, attended one year
Entered Service May 12, 1942, U.S. Army, Private First Class
Arthur trained at Fort Dix, NJ, Camp Croft, and Camp Gordon Johnson, where he underwent amphibious training. He was attached to Company M, 8th Infantry, 4th Division, seeing action in Normandy and Cherbourg. He took part in the D-Day invasion and was killed in action two months later at Cherbourg.
Joseph Raymond Fierro '40
(b. September 19, 1913, Bound Brook, NJ-d. December 25, 1944, Europe)
Attended Bound Brook High School, Bound Brook, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1936, attended one year
Entered Service March 27, 1942, U.S. Army, commissioned 2nd Lt., July 25, 1944
Joseph was deployed overseas shortly after being commissioned. He died on Christmas Day 1944.
Edward Fishkin '39
(b. July 1, 1914, New York, NY-d. June 5, 1945, Osaka, Japan)
Attended Caldwell High School, Caldwell, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1935, BS, May 1939
Entered Service 1941, U.S. Army Air Corps, commissioned 2nd Lt., 1941, Captain, 1943
While at Rutgers, Edward was awarded the Scabbard and Blade Scholarship. He was reported missing and presumed dead on a mission over Osaka, Japan.
Ernest Holman Fort '33
(b. November 17, 1911, Wrightstown, NJ-d. December 18, 1944, Leyte, Philippines)
Attended Pemberton High School, Wrightstown, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1929, attended one year
Entered Service April 3, 1942, U.S. Army, Staff Sergeant
Ernest was assigned to Company I, 305th Infantry, 77th Division. He underwent desert training in AZ, and CA before finishing at Camp Pickett, VA. He saw action in Guam and in the landings at Leyte. He was killed in action near the town of Matogob. Two of Ernest's brothers, Philip and Walter, also attended Rutgers and served in the war.
Wellington Francisco '30
(b. June 24, 1907, West Orange, NJ-d. November 12, 1944, Lorraine, France)
Attended East Orange High School, East Orange, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1926, BL, June 6, 1930, George Washington University Law School, 1933
Entered Service February 3, 1943, U.S. Army, Corporal
While at Rutgers, Wellington was a member of the Liberal Club, Beta Theta Pi, the Targum, the lacrosse team, the Scarlet Letter, Peithesophian and Pi Gamma. He received infantry training at Camp Croft, SC and Camp Blanding, FL, where he was a heavy weapons instructor. He served with the 90th Division, 3rd Army, and was killed in action at Lorraine, France. Wellington was survived by his wife, Betty, and his daughter, Patricia. Four months after his death, Wellington's son, Wellington, Jr., was born.
Henry Frentz, Jr. '44
(b. July 24, 1918, Linden, NJ-d. August 8, 1944, France)
Attended Linden High School, Linden, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1940, attended one year
Entered Service July 24, 1941, U.S. Army, commissioned 2nd Lt., September 2, 1942, 1st Lt., July 5, 1944
Henry spent a great deal of time in America and overseas preparing for the invasion of France. He was killed in action two months after the D-Day invasion.
Robert Funari, Jr. '47
(b. September 18, 1925, Trenton, NJ-d. April 5, 1945, Hieldron, Germany)
Attended Trenton Central High School, Trenton, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1943, attended one year
Entered Service, U.S. Army, Private First Class
Robert served with Company L, 398th Infantry before being killed in action during the invasion of Germany.
Basil Dickenson Gallagher '25
(b. February 4, 1900, Brooklyn, NY-d. January 15, 1943, Dutch Guiana)
Attended Rutgers Preparatory High School
Entered Rutgers September 1921, attended one year
Entered Service, U.S. Army, Captain
While on a trip to Africa, Basil was killed when his transport plane crashed off the coast of Dutch Guiana.
Benjamin Gazevitz '41
(b. August 10, 1919, Elizabeth, NJ-d. date unknown, Houston, TX)
Attended Thomas Jefferson High School, Elizabeth, NJ, and University of Wisconsin, Wisconsin
Entered Rutgers September 1937, attended two years
Entered Service February 1940, U.S. Army Air Forces, commissioned 2nd Lt., February 1943
Benjamin was killed in a plane crash over Houston, TX.
Marian Carol Gillis '37
(b. January 7, 1917, Newark, NJ-d. May 13, 1945, Dutch New Guinea)
Attended East Orange High School, East Orange, NJ
Entered Rutgers New Jersey College for Women September 1933, BA, June 5, 1937
Entered Service, Women's Army Corp, March 28, 1943
While at Rutgers, Marian spent her junior year abroad in Spain with her mother. During her travels Marian proudly wore an American flag pin, later saying that she was known across Europe as the woman who "wore the American flag on her chest". As civil war broiled over into the streets of Madrid in the summer of '36, the Gillises slept under the piano in the grand ballroom of the American Embassy for a number of nights until they embarked on a train barreling for the Mediterranean. When Spanish soldiers warned Marian of train bombings, derailment, and poisonous gas, she pinned the stars and stripes to her suit to feel safer. The Gillises arrived in the small town of Alacante unscathed. The Gillises then sailed to Marseilles on a boat that had accommodations for 100 but was carrying 1,000. Marian said, "We were packed in like sardines in a tin." Upon docking, the duo ventured across France and Italy extensively before sailing from Naples back to New York.
Gillis graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1937 and spent the summer with her mother on a 30,000-mile trip around the world. The two recorded 17,000 feet of motion picture film and crossed the equator four times. In 1942 Gillis left her secretary's desk at an insurance company in Los Angeles to enlist in the Army. Gillis had been stationed in Guam for five months when the plane that was carrying her crashed over Shangri-La.
Harold D. M. Gilmore '39
(b. June 11, 1903, Chicago, IL-d. November 19, 1943, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Attended Wenonah Military Academy, Wenonah, NJ
Entered Rutgers, Graduate School of Banking, received certificate 1939
Entered Service May 7, 1941, U.S. Navy, Lt. Commander
Harold was killed when his plane crashed near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
John H. Gilmore '42
(b. September 23, 1918, Newark, NJ-d. April 11, 1944, Germany)
Attended East Orange High School, East Orange, New Jersey
Entered Rutgers, University College in 1938, graduated with a B.S. in 1942
Entered Service June 1942, U.S. Army Air Forces, 1st Lt., commissioned June 1943
John served as a bombardier on a B-17 Flying Fortress stationed in England. He flew several missions over Germany before his plane was shot down.
Myron Maurice Goldman '42
(b. March 10, 192 1, Trenton, NJ-d. February 6, 1944, Paris, France)
Attended Trenton Central High School, Trenton, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1938, BS, Agriculture, May 10, 1942
Entered Service September 30, 1942, U.S. Army Air Forces, commissioned 2nd Lt., August 30, 1943
While at Rutgers, Myron commuted from Trenton and was a member of the Commuters Club and the Hillel Society. After being commissioned, Myron served with the 469th Bomb Squadron. He died when his plane crashed over Paris as a result of enemy anti-aircraft fire. His friends remembered him for his easy-going manner and his love of stamp-collecting.
Walter Goncharuk '42
(b. February 23, 1922, Perth Amboy, NJ-d. January 11, 1945, Belgium)
Attended Perth Amboy High School, Perth Amboy, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1938, BL, Journalism, May 10, 1942
Entered Service October 2, 1942, U.S. Army, commissioned 2nd Lt., December 14, 1943
While at Rutgers, Walter played 150 lb. football for two years and was freshman track manager. He participated in intramural sports, was a member of the Journalism Club and commuted daily from Perth Amboy. Although Walter was an infantry officer, he was assigned to a medical unit upon entering the service. He died while serving in Belgium.
Charles Frederic Goodacre '46
(b. May 27, 1924, Cape May, NJ-d. March 24, 1945, Germany)
Attended Cape May High School, Cape May, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1942, attended one semester
Entered Service December 26, 1942, U.S. Army Air Forces, commissioned 2nd Lt., July 1, 1944
Charles joined the Corps of Engineers after first entering the service. He then transferred to the Army Air Forces. He graduated from gunnery school at Laredo, TX, and later trained as a navigator at Midland Army Airfield, TX. He served with the 8th Air Force as a bombardier on a B-24 Liberator. On a combat mission over Wesel, Germany, his aircraft was struck by anti-aircraft fire. Despite an attempt to ditch ten miles west of the Rhine River, the plane crashed and the entire crew was lost.
Abram Bernard Granetz '33
(b. October 10, 1909, Somerville, NJ-d. February 6, 1944, Washington, DC)
Attended Somerville High School, Somerville, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1929, BS, Biology, June 1933
Entered Service June 27, 1942, U.S. Army, 1st Lt.
While at Rutgers, Abram was involved in the Liberal Club, the Biology Club, and Deutscher Verein. He served in the Dental Corps on the 345th Platoon Ship Hospital. He died for unknown reasons at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, DC.
Morton Allan Greenblatt '45
(b. September 15, 1923, Long Branch, NJ-d. October 14, 1944, Yugoslavia)
Attended Red Bank High School, Red Bank, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1941, attended two years
Entered Service February 25, 1943, U.S. Army Air Forces, commissioned 2nd Lt., June 10, 1944
While at Rutgers, Morton was a member of Sigma Alpha Mu. He was killed in action on a mission over Yugoslavia.
Alfred Cookman Gregory, Jr. '45
(b. August 31, 1923, Trenton, NJ-d. December 11, 1944, Germany)
Attended Trenton High School, Trenton, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1941, attended two years
Entered Service June 6, 1943, U.S. Army, Private First Class
While at Rutgers, Alfred was a member of Chi Psi. He trained at Fort Dix, NJ and was part of the Army Specialized Training Program at the University of Delaware. After going into the infantry at Camp Carlson, CO, Alfred went overseas with Company A, 414th Infantry, 104th Timberwolf Division. He landed at Normandy and was later killed in action in Germany.
John D. Gross '37
(b. July 14, 1914, Lockhaven, PA-d. July 23, 1944, New Guinea)
Attended Lockhaven High School, Lockhaven, PA
Entered Rutgers September 1933, attendance unknown
Entered Service 1935, U.S. Navy, commissioned Lt. (j.g.)
John was reported missing in action after his plane went down en route to the Admiralty Islands near New Guinea. John was later declared killed in action.
John Roscoe Groves '43
(b. September 28, 1920, Ocean City, NJ-d. October 13, 1944, Austria)
Attended Ocean City High School, Ocean City, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1939, BL, Journalism, May 23, 1943
Entered Service February 1943, U.S. Army Air Forces, Staff Sergeant
While at Rutgers, John was a roving journalist with the Targum, a member of Club Ford and Deutscher Verein. He received academic training at Norwich University, VT and later received a special air gunnery award at Harlingen Flexible Gunnery School, TX. He also trained at the Davis-Mothan Field in Tucson, AZ. He went overseas with the 727th Bomb Squadron, 451st Bomb Group, 15th Air Force and served on a B-24 Liberator. Once overseas, he was promoted twice in two months, flew more than 120 combat missions and was involved in destroying the Regensburg and Weiner Neustadt Aircraft Factories, the Steyr facilities, Ploesti Oil Fields and various other military targets. On October 13, 1944, his B-24, "Fickle Finger" [42-51564] blew up over its target near Vienna, Austria, after a direct hit from a flak barrage. All of John's crewmates also lost their lives:
William L. Goin, Pilot
Raymond L. Hall, Copilot
Herbert C. Braun, Navigator
James S. King, Bombardier
Raymond L. Klein, Nose Gunner
Frank M. Auten, Upper Gunner
Frank J. Cipolla, Ball Gunner
Chester Pracki, Waist Gunner
Julian M. Newton, Waist Gunner
John R. Groves, Tail Gunner
[We thank James Lawrence for providing
additional information about John R. Groves's final mission.]
Harold A. Hahn '40
(b. July 6, 1918, Wood Ridge, NJ-d. June 7, 1944, Normandy, France)
Attended Rutherford High School, Rutherford, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1936, attendance unknown
Entered Service June 9, 1942, U.S. Army Air Forces, Staff Sergeant
Harold underwent basic training in October 1942. He completed his radio training at Scott Field, IL and his advanced training at Maxton Field. In March 1943, he went overseas to participate in the invasions of Sicily and Italy. Harold served with the 49th Tactical Squadron, 313th Tactical Group during the invasion of Normandy where he was killed in action.
Henry Martyn Hale, Jr. '45
(b. October 1, 1923, Westfield, MA-d. January 19, 1945, Savannah, GA)
Attended Rutgers Preparatory High School
Entered Rutgers September 1941, attended two years
Entered Service April 19, 1943, U.S. Army Air Forces, commissioned 2nd Lt., June 1944
James Jose Hamblin '43
(b. December 16, 1920, Newark, NJ-d. June 6, 1944, France)
Attended Barringer High School, Newark, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1939, attended one year
Entered Service August 9, 1942, U.S. Army Air Forces, commissioned 2nd Lt., March 20, 1943, 1st Lt., September 1943
James went overseas in September 1943. He was the pilot of a C-47 Skytrain transport and was one of the first to fly over France on D-Day. His plane crashed just east of Etienville, France, when his plane met with enemy anti-aircraft fire.
Richard Harry Harms '41
(b. March 12, 192 1, West, NY-d. May 4, 1943, Pennsville, NJ)
Attended Cliffside Park High School, West, NY
Entered Rutgers September 1938, BA, May 1941
Entered Service January 26, 1942, U.S. Army Air Corps, commissioned 2nd Lt., March 24, 1942
While at Rutgers, Richard was active in the History Club and German Club and was elected to Delta Phi Alpha, an honorary German Society. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa in just three years. He received his wings at Marianna Army Airfield, FL before transferring to the Army Airbase at Municipal Airport in Philadelphia, PA for advanced training. While on a routine flight over Pennsville, NJ, his aircraft exploded. The Army could not give any information as to the nature or cause of the incident. Richard was buried in Arlington National Cemetery with honors.
Herbert Langley Harries '08
(b. June 9, 1885, place unknown-d. March 31, 1942, Corregidor, Philippines)
Attended Montclair Military Academy, Montclair, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1904, attended one year, transferred to the United States Military Academy, West Point, NY, graduated 1907
Commissioned 1912, U.S. Army, Lt. Colonel
Herbert was the 11th generation of his family to serve in the military. He was a captain in World War I in France where he sustained a leg injury. He retired from the Army in 1934. He returned to active duty after the Japanese attack on the Philippines at the personal request of General Douglas MacArthur, who served with Herbert's father during World War I. Due to complications from his previous injury, his leg was amputated. On March 31, 1942, he died as a result of further medical complications. Herbert was buried in the presence of Lt. General Jonathan M. Wainwright with highest military honors among the craters of the Corregidor bastion just before its capitulation.
Richard William Hartman '39
(b. February 9,1918, New York, NY-d. December 13, 1941, Manila, Philippines)
Attended Amityville High School, Amityville, NY and Nassau Collegiate Center, Garden City, NY
Entered Rutgers September 1935, BL, Journalism, June 1939
Entered Service January 8, 1940, U.S. Army Air Corps, Corporal
While at Rutgers, Richard was a Gamma Delta brother and a member of the Yacht Club, Journalism Club, Math Club, Chess Club, and German Club. He received a letter in baseball for serving as the team's manager. Richard also played water polo and 150 lb. football. He began his service as a parachute rigger with the 20th Airborne Squadron. In the fall of 1941, he was discharged from the Army to accept a position as a civilian worker in the Philippines Air Depot. He had a deep bass voice and sang in the choir of the Anglo-Catholic Church in Manila, where he performed before Francis B. Sayre, High Commissioner of the Philippines and son-in-law of Woodrow Wilson. Richard was killed during a Japanese air raid on Nichol Field. He is buried at Fort McKinley. He was the second Rutgers alumnus to die in World War II.
Elwood Hepburn Hearne '44
(b. November 28, 1922, Ridgewood, NJ-d. April 28, 1945, Negros Island, Philippines)
Attended Ridgewood High School, Ridgewood, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1940, attended two years
Entered Service February 10, 1943, U.S. Army, Private First Class
While at Rutgers, Elwood was a member of the Phi Chi Chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon. He also lettered in soccer and crew. He entered the Army Specialized Training Program at the Citadel in SC and then served with the 491st Anti-Aircraft Artillery and Automatic Weapons Battalion. He completed further training at Camp Stewart, GA and Fort Bragg, NC and then transferred to the Airborne Infantry at Fort Benning, GA. He went overseas in March 1945 and joined Company D, 503 Parachute Infantry Regiment. He was killed in action one month later. Fourteen of Elwood's fraternity brothers lost their lives during the war.
Leo William Hecht, Jr. '46
(b. May 6, 1923, Irvington, NJ-d. January 14, 1945, Europe)
Attended West Side High School, Newark, NJ
Entered Rutgers, Newark, September 1942, attended one year
Entered Service November 22,1942, U.S. Army Air Corps, commissioned 2nd Lt., May 23, 1944
Leo served with the 8th Air Force in England as the pilot of a B-24 Liberator. He was killed in action on a bombing mission over Europe.
Christian Heidt II '08
(b. December 6, 1886, Jersey City, NJ-d. October 13, 1941, place unknown)
Attended Stevens Preparatory High School, Hoboken, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1904, BA, 1908
Entered Service U.S. Army, commissioned 2nd Lt., 1908, 1st Lt., 1914, Captain, February 15, 1918, Major, September 1918
Christian enlisted in the New Jersey National Guard Signal Corps in 1906. He served in Douglas, AZ in the Mexican Border Service. After being promoted to captain, he commanded Company A, Signal Corps. Christian entered the regular army as a Major in 1918 and saw action at Haute-Alsace and the Meuse Argonne, France during World War I. He was given a special citation by Major General Morton of the 29th Division.
Nathan Henn '45
(b. September 22, 1921, New Brunswick, NJ-d. April 30, 1945, Pacific)
Attended New Brunswick High School, New Brunswick, NJ
Entered Rutgers, University College in September 1941, attended two years
Entered Service U.S. Army Air Forces, 1st Lt.
Nathan served as a bombardier on a B-24 Liberator. He was killed in action when his plane was shot down over the Pacific.
Benjamin William Herr '39
(b. September 7, 1917, Newark, NJ-d. October 27, 1943, Lawson Field, GA)
Attended Summit High School, Summit, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1935, BS, Business Administration, June 1939
Entered Service July 3, 194 1, U.S. Army Air Corps, commissioned 2nd Lt., 1941, 1st Lt., July 1942
While at Rutgers, Ben was involved in many activities. He earned a letter in football, participated in baseball, and was elected to the Scabbard and Blade. Ben first underwent raining at the Two-Engine Pilot Training Center at West, TX, part of the first class to use its facilities. He was later stationed with the 307th Troop Carrier Squadron at Lawson Field, Fort Benning, GA. While on a routine flight over Georgia, his plane crashed for unknown reasons killing Ben and five others.
William Gregory Hofmann '42
(b. February 20, 1920, New York, NY-d. February 7, 1945, Atlantic Ocean)
Attended Amityville High School, Amityville, NY
Entered Rutgers September 1938, attended two years
Entered Service March 27, 1941, U.S. Navy Reserve, commissioned Ensign, November 19, 1941, Lt. (j.g.)
William was an aviation cadet at Pensacola, FL. Before going into combat in Africa in the fall of 1942, he served as a pilot in England and Iceland. While in Africa, he was promoted to Lt. (j.g.) before returning home in 1943 to marry and undertake a new assignment. William was assigned to the U.S. Navy Atlantic Patrol based in FL. During his duty there, he was killed in a mid-air collision with another aircraft.
Robert Frederick Hohenstein III '46
(b. January 3, 1924, Westfield, NJ-d. February 28, 1945, Germany)
Attended Westfield High School, Westfield, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1942, attended one year
Entered Service October 1944, U.S. Army, commissioned 2nd Lt., September 30, 1943
Robert took one year of ROTC. He underwent basic training in FL and was commissioned in an Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion at Camp Davis, NC. He later transferred to the Army Transportation Corps and went to England in March 1944. He received extensive training in 50-caliber machine guns, map reading and orientation, anti-aircraft artillery tactics and judo. Robert later requested a transfer to the infantry and was stationed with the 29th Division, 9th Army. He participated in the D-Day invasion before being killed in action in Germany.
Franklin Joseph Holden '39
(b. January 10, 1918, Brooklyn, NY-d. December 7, 1941, Wake Island)
Attended Tenafly High School, Tenafly, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1935, BS, Chemistry, June 1939
Entered Service March, 1940, U.S. Marine Corps, 2nd Lt.
Frank completed his training at the Pensacola Flying School, FL. He served in San Diego, CA, Pearl Harbor, HI and Wake Island. He survived the attack on Pearl Harbor, but was later killed in action, one of the last two pilots defending Wake Island. Frank was the first Rutgers alumnus to die in the war. He is buried on Wake Island.
Robert Jerome Holland '41
(b. November 3, 1916, Brooklyn, NY-d. January 13, 1944, Fort Worth, TX)
Attended Richmond Hill High School, Brooklyn, NY
Entered Rutgers September 1937, attendance unknown
Entered Service January 1943, U.S. Army Air Forces, commissioned 2nd Lt., November 3, 1943
Robert was killed when his plane crashed on a routine flight near Fort Worth, TX.
Harold John Holsten, Jr. '46
(b. October 25, 1924, New York, NY-d. November 17, 1944, Tonopah Air Field, NV)
Attended New Brunswick High School, New Brunswick, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1942, attended one year
Entered Service May 20, 1943, U.S. Army Air Forces, commissioned 2nd Lt., September 4, 1944
Harry underwent basic training at Jefferson Barracks, MO and his pre-flight training at Selman Field, LA. Harry and seven other crew members were killed when his bomber crashed for unknown reasons.
Frederick Joseph Holtzberg '44
(b. July 26, 1922, Chattanooga, TN-d. January 1, 1945, Metz, France)
Attended Trenton Central High School, Trenton, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1940, attended three years
Entered Service April 29,1943, U.S. Army, Private
While at Rutgers, Frederick was a history major and a member of Phi Epsilon Pi. He was also a member of the Hillel Student League, the Spanish Club and varsity fencing. He trained at Camp Hood, TX and served with the 793rd Field Artillery Battalion and later the 773rd Field Artillery Battalion. Upon going overseas, he joined Patton's 3rd Army. He died during the Battle of Metz in Luxembourg.
Joseph Bloomfield Howland '25
(b. October 6, 1901, Newark, NJ-d. December 2, 1942, Spokane, WA)
Attended Central High School, Newark, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1921, BS, Biology, June 1925
Entered Service July 1942, U.S. Army Air Forces, Medical Corps, Private
While at Rutgers, Joseph was a Biology major and a member of the Biology Club and Agriculture Club. He underwent basic training at Fort Jackson, SC and Salt Lake City, UT. While at Fort George Wright, Geiger Field in Spokane, WA, Joseph died from a skull fracture.
George Silver Huber '43
(b. October 8, 1920, Hightstown, NJ-d. July 12, 1943, North Africa)
Attended The Peddie School and Hightstown High School
Entered Rutgers September 1939, attended two years
Entered Service March 10, 1942, U.S. Army, Private First Class
While at Rutgers, George won the Abraham Nessier Quick Prize Scholarship for high scholastic standing as a sophomore. He underwent training at Fort Dix, NJ, Camp Livingston, LA, Camp Gordon Johnson, FL and Camp Pickett, VA. He served with the 180th Infantry and was sent overseas to North Africa where he was killed in action.
John Robert Huntley '42
(b. April 29, 1920, Madison, WI-d. July 12, 1944, Normandy, France)
Attended Montclair High School, Montclair, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1938, BA, English, May 1942
Entered Service February 1942, U.S. Army, commissioned 2nd Lt., September 1942, 1st Lt., April 1943
John was very active while at Rutgers. He was involved with the Spanish Club, Debate Squad, and the Philosophian. He served as president of Phi Gamma Delta and was on the Interfraternity Council. He also received his letter for managing the basketball team. To earn money, John worked summers as a camp counselor. He trained at Camp Butler and Fort McClellan before serving in Europe. John was killed in action during the invasion of France.
Franklin Eadie Hutcheon, Jr. '43
(b. January 19, 1921, New Haven, CT-d. December 22, 1944, Germany)
Attended Lakewood High School and Newman School, New Haven, CT
Entered Rutgers September 1939, BS, Business Administration, May 23, 1943
Entered Service March 15, 1943, U.S. Army, commissioned 2nd Lt., September 20, 1943, 1st Lt., July 1944
While at Rutgers, Frank was an ROTC Cadet Captain and an honor graduate of ROTC. He was a member of the Scarlet Barbs, a preceptor for two years and received the Van Rensseler Scholarship. After being commissioned, Frank served with the 28th Infantry. He was wounded at the firing range at Camp Croft, SC, when a bullet struck him in the back and pierced one of his lungs. He recovered after nine months of treatment and served overseas, but died in Germany. Frank was awarded the Silver Star posthumously.
Edwin Henry Jacobs '42
(b. October 13, 1911, Jersey City, NJ-d. July 27, 1944, France)
Attended Jersey City Preparatory High School, Jersey City, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1938, attended one semester
Entered Service March 16, 1942, U.S. Army, commissioned 2nd Lt., March 19,1943
Joseph Robert Joel '41
(b. date and place unknown-d. December 17, 1943, LA)
Attended Mount Vernon High School, Mount Vernon, NJ and Columbia University, NY
Entered Rutgers Graduate School of Banking, attended two summer semesters in 1940 and 1941
Entered Service October 13, 1943, Private
Joseph died on maneuvers in Louisiana.
Joseph Harry Joffe '40
(b. October 9, 1917, Long Branch, NJ-d. November 26, 1943, Germany)
Attended Long Branch High School, Long Branch, NJ
Entered Rutgers September, 1936, BL, Journalism, September 1940
Entered Service January 1940, U.S. Army Air Corps, commissioned 2nd Lt.
While at Rutgers, Joseph was editor-in-chief of the Targum, a Rutgers correspondent to the New York Times, the Newark Sunday Call , the New Brunswick Home News, and the Asbury Park Press. He was president of Pi Gamma, associated editor of the Scarlet Letter , a member of the Student Council, Cap and Skull, the Philosophian, Scarlet Barbs and the Journalism Club. Joseph served with the 326th Bomb Squadron, 92nd Bomb Group before being killed in action on a bomb run over Germany.
Harold Parkinson Johnston '42
(b. March 21, 1920, Jersey City, NJ-d. March 1, 1943, Tampa Bay, FL)
Attended Ridgewood High School, Ridgewood, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1937, BS, Ceramics, May 1942
Entered Service December 1941, U.S. Army Air Forces, commissioned 2nd Lt., August 1942, 1st Lt., February 1, 1943
While at Rutgers, Harold was a member of Zeta Psi, the Scarlet Key, the University Orchestra, Choir, ROTC and the Scarlet Rifles. It was at Rutgers that Harold developed his love for flying, taking pilot courses through the Civil Aeronautics Authority. Upon entering the Army Air Forces, he trained at Moody Field, GA. Harold died in a plane crash in Tampa Bay, FL. His friends called him Hal.
Oliver M. Jones '38
(b. date unknown, Brookfield, CT-d. March 7, 1942, Sable Island, Arctic Ocean)
Entered Service March 1941, U.S. Merchant Marines, Lt.
After being commissioned, Oliver was stationed on the USS Independence
Hall. He died when his ship was damaged in an accident and sank while on
convoy duty to the Soviet Union.
Joseph Paul Karaszewski '43
(b. December 11, 1920, Summit, NJ-d. December 2, 1943, Italy)
Attended Summit High School, Summit, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1939, attended three years
Entered Service July 13, 1942, U.S. Army, commissioned 2nd Lt., February 10, 1943
Joseph attended Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, GA. After going overseas, Joseph was killed in action in Italy.
James Patrick Kelley '40
(b. April 19, 1919, Butler, NJ-d. November 21, 1944, Germany)
Attended Butler High School, Butler, NJ
Entered Rutgers, Newark, September 1939, Certificate in Business Administration, April 1940
Entered Service December 21, 1941, U.S. Army Air Corps, Technical Sergeant
James served as a flight engineer in the European Theater of Operations. He participated in many operations and missions before dying overseas. His decorations included the Distinguished Unit Citation with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal with seven clusters and the Soldier's Medal.
Eugene A. Kilcheski '44
(b. October 11, 1922, Trenton, NJ-d. February 21, 1945, Australia)
Attended Central High School, Trenton, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1940, attendance unknown
Entered Service May 1943, U.S. Army Air Forces, commissioned 2nd Lt., 1944
Eugene received his first training at Randolph Field, TX and Freeman Field, IN. Upon going overseas, Eugene first served with the 530th Squadron, 380th Bomb Group as a B-24 pilot. He killed in action on a flight to Brisbane, Australia.
Vernon Height King, Jr. '45
(b. November 3, 1919, Belmar, NJ-d. March 27, 1944, Clovis Field, NM)
Attended Manasquan High School, Manasquan, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1941, attended one semester
Entered Service December 1941, U.S. Army Air Corps, commissioned 2nd Lt., July 28, 1943
Vernon began training as an aviator upon entering the service. He received his wings at Clovis Field, AZ, before being killed in a plane crash over New Mexico.
James Arthur Kirrane '42
(b. September 14, 1920, Newark, NJ-d. April 13, 1944, Ploesti, Romania)
Attended West Side High School, Newark, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1938, BL, Journalism, May 10, 1942
Entered Service May 14, 1942, U.S. Army Air Forces, commissioned 2nd Lt., December 4, 1943
At Rutgers, James played 150 lb. football and was a member of the Journalism Club. He was also a member of the Scarlet Barbs and earned his numerals in baseball. He worked summers at a soda fountain to earn money. After entering the service, James served as a navigator on a B-24 Liberator with the 15th Air Force in Italy. He was killed in action on a bombing mission over the Ploesti Oil Fields in Romania.
George Richard Koehler, Jr. '43
(b. July 6, 1921, Palo Alto, CA-d. July 15, 1943, Sicily)
Attended Wentworth Military Academy and University of Kansas
Entered Rutgers January 1941, attendance unknown
Entered Service May 3,1942, U.S. Army, commissioned 2nd Lt., May, 1942, 1st Lt., May 5, 1943
While at Rutgers, George was a member of Delta Upsilon and Scabbard and Blade. He was also the ROTC Cadet Lt. Colonel of 2nd Battalion. George served with the infantry in North Africa. For his service there, he was awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart. George was later killed in action in Sicily.
Harold Dean Krafft, Jr. '45
(b. July 23, 1922, Minneapolis, MN-d. January 16, 1945, Luzon, Philippines)
Attended Woodrow Wilson High School, Washington, DC
Entered Rutgers September, 1941, attended one year
Entered Service February 2, 1943, U.S. Army Air Forces, commissioned 2nd Lt., February 8, 1944
While at Rutgers, Harold was a member of Chi Psi. Harold was called to active duty on February 2, 1943. He served with the 345th Bomb Group, 501st "Air Apaches" Squadron. His 25th mission involved a low level bombing and strafing run. Near Manila, his plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed. The entire crew was lost.
Faudell Kuh '48
(b. June 6,1927, New York, NY-d. November 1, 1946, Korea)
Attended Fort Lauderdale High School, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Entered Rutgers September 1944, attendance unknown
Entered Service May 1945, U.S. Army Air Forces, 2nd Lt.
Faudell trained at Camp Kilmer, NJ, Camp
Blanding, FL and completed Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, GA. He
served with the occupation forces in South Korea. He was killed when his plane
crashed on takeoff from the airfield at Arjeon.
Angelo Joseph Landolfo '44
(b. March 7, 192 1, Montclair, NJ-d. January 5, 1944, Bordeaux, France)
Attended Montclair High School, Montclair, NJ
Entered Rutgers January 1940, attended two years
Entered Service July 2, 1942, U.S. Army Air Forces, commissioned 2nd Lt., August 5, 1943
Angelo was called to active duty on January 7, 1943. He trained at San Marcos Navigation Field, TX. Angelo was killed in action during a raid over Bordeaux, France.
Benjamin S. Lang '44
(b. date and place unknown-d. May 3, 1945, Okinawa, Japan)
Attended Graduate School of Banking, 1944
Entered Service June 16, 1943, U.S. Navy Reserve, Lt.
After being called to active duty, Benjamin served at the Civil Affairs Training School at the University of Chicago, IL and Fort Ord, CA. He was promoted to Lt. on March 14, 1945. He killed in action during the invasion of Okinawa two months later.
Howard Boyce Larlee '36
(b. January 9, 1915, New York, NY-d. March 4, 1943, Needles, CA)
Attended Mountain Lakes High School, Mountain Lakes, NJ, Morristown High School, Morristown, NJ, and Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Entered Rutgers September 1932, BS, Electrical Engineering, May 1936
Entered Service February 1941, U.S. Army Air Corps, commissioned 2nd Lt., 1940, 1st Lt., 1941, Captain, 1942
Howard was killed in a plane crash near Needles, CA.
Kenneth Stanley Latham '45
(b. November 4, 1923, Highland Park, NJ-d. November 23, 1944, Holland)
Attended New Brunswick High School, New Brunswick, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1941, attended one year
Entered Service April 27, 1943, U.S. Army, Private lst Class
Kenneth trained at Fort Bragg, NC with a field artillery unit. He transferred to the infantry and trained at Camp Clairborn, LA. He also trained with the Army Specialized Training Program at Johns Hopkins University. Kenneth went overseas with Company L, 334th Infantry Regiment and was killed in action in Holland.
John Warren Layton '44
(b. September 23, 1921, Paterson, NJ-d. July 12, 1944, France)
Attended East Side High School, Paterson, NJ and Clifton High School, Clifton, NJ
Entered Rutgers, Newark, September 1940, attended one year
Entered Service June 26, 1942, U.S. Army Air Forces, commissioned 2nd Lt., September 17, 1943
Willis Sherman Lees III '44
(b. August 26, 1917, Boston, MA-d. October 2, 1942)
Attended Passaic High School, Passaic, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1940, attended one year
Entered Service May 1941, Marine Corps, posthumously promoted to Captain
Willis was killed in action at Guadalcanal.
Allen W. Lent '40
(b. October 26, 1906, White Plains, NY-d. May 20, 1943, Chicago, IL)
Attended White Plains High School, White Plains, NY
Entered Rutgers Graduate School of Banking, June 1938, MA, July 1940
Entered Service August 1942, U.S. Army Air Forces, commissioned 1st Lt., August 1942, Captain, March 1943
Allen was a liaison officer at Hamilton Field, CA with the 46th Air Base Squadron. He was died in an Army bomber crash in Chicago, IL while home on leave.
August William Lentz, Jr. '24
(b. April 7, 1900, Jersey City, NJ-d. September 15, 1942, South Pacific)
Attended Stevens Preparatory High School, New York, NY
Entered Rutgers September 1920, attended one year, class of 1924, transferred to U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD, BS, 1926
Entered Service 1926, U.S. Navy, Lt. Cmdr.
While at Rutgers, August was selected by George Foster Sanford to play guard on the 1920 Scarlet 11. His prowess as a football player was noticed by the Naval Academy, and he was wooed from Rutgers in 1922. He became an inter-collegiate boxing champion, and, in 1925, defeated 12 American and Canadian collegiate boxers, including the great Hawkins of Yale. He remained at Annapolis after graduation to do postgraduate work in Aerology. Subsequently, he served in Panama, China and other parts of the world. August was aboard the USS Wasp when it went down in the Solomon Islands, a result of damage inflicted by Japanese Submarine 1-19.
William Edward Leonard '42
(b. November 13, 1920, New Brunswick, NJ-d. November 9, 1944, Strasbourg, France)
Attended Highland Park High School, Highland Park, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1938, BS, Agriculture, May 1942
Entered Service July 21, 1943, U.S. Army, Corporal
While at Rutgers, William majored in Vegetable Production. He was a member of the Glee Club and the soccer team, and worked summers as an official at the Eastern Carolina Training School. He trained at Camp Gruber, OK as an anti-tank assaultman in the 42nd Rainbow Division. Upon going overseas, he joined the 596th Replacement Company, 133rd Battalion. William died as a result of wounds he received in action during the invasion of France.
Samuel Kassel Levy '39
(b. July 11, 1917, New York, NY-d. June 20,1944, Germany)
Attended Far Rockaway High School, Queens, NY
Entered Rutgers September 1935, attended one year
Entered Service September 1942, U.S. Army Air Forces, commissioned 2nd Lt., December 5, 1943
After being commissioned, Samuel trained as an aviator. After going overseas, he was killed in action during a bombing mission over Germany.
Harley Benton Lewis, Jr. '42
(b. November 12, 1919, Coco Solo Naval Air Station, Colon, Panama-d. October 7, 1943, Brooklyn, NY)
Attended Ridgewood High School, Ridgewood, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1938, attended two years
Entered Service June 1940, U.S. Navy, commissioned Ensign, November 1940, Lt. (j.g.), June 1942
While at Rutgers, Harley was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha and held the 1940 Mid-Atlantic state track championships in the 100-yard and 220-yard dash. He attended Midshipman's School on the USS Illinois and served 16 months as a line officer on battleships. Harley joined the submarine service and graduated from Submarine School, New London, CT. He died at the Brooklyn Naval Hospital after two major operations during the year.
Leon Litowitch '40
(b. July 13, 1917, Newark, NJ-d. January 10, 1945, France)
Attended Weequahic High School, Newark, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1936, BS, Agriculture, June 9, 1940
Entered Service September 17, 1942, U.S. Army, Private First Class
Leon enlisted in the Signal Corps Reserve and trained at Camp Kilmer, NJ. He transferred to the Medical Corps and underwent further training at Camp Gruber, OK. He arrived in the South of France in December 1944 and was later killed in action.
Wilson Rex Livezey, Jr. '36
(b. October 1, 1914, Riverton, NJ-d. April 10, 1943, Chesapeake Bay)
Attended Burlington High School, Burlington, NJ
Entered Rutgers September 1932, BS, Agriculture, June 6, 1936
Entered Service April 9, 1941, U.S. Navy Reserve, commissioned Lt. (j.g.), October 1942
While at Rutgers, Wilson was a member of the Agriculture Club, Alpha Zeta, the apple judging team, Kappa Phi Kappa, and was a Scarlet Barb. He served with the Navy Reserve as a pilot until the plane he was piloting crashed into Chesapeake Bay during a training mission.
Albert Arnold Lundwall '37
(b. December 1, 1915, Dorchester, MA-d. March 19, 1944, Italy)
Attended Chapman Technical High School, New London CT
Entered Rutgers September 1933, BS, Education, June 1937
Entered Service April 1942, U.S. Army Air Corps, commissioned 2nd Lt., May 1943, 1st Lt.
While at Rutgers, Albert was on the basketball, football, lacrosse and track teams. He was a member of Kappa Phi Kappa, the Varsity Club, the Senior Ball Committee and the National Honorary Educational Society. After training at Davis Monthan