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On December 4, 1941, William Hasenfuss dashed off a routine letter home to his parents on Amsterdam's Northampton Road from Hickam Field, near Pearl Harbor in the Territory of Hawaii, and sent it airmail. He had a surprise for them, but it could wait. Looking forward to his first Christmas furlough since entering the service following his graduation from Wilbur H. Lynch Senior High School in 1939, he had recently been promoted to Staff Sergeant. But the furlough was starting to look iffy, with tensions increasing between the United States and the Empire of Japan. Indeed, only a few days earlier a local Hawaii paper had carried sensational headlines of an imminent Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Those fears proved groundless, of course.
Back in Washington Secretary of State Cordell Hull had been demanding clarifications from Japan about various troop movements. A Chicago newspaper charged that President Roosevelt had a secret plan to send five million American troops to Europe by July of 1943, a revelation that was widely denounced by the politicians in Washington, with words like “treason” bandied about lightly. The Soviet Union, meanwhile, was striking back at the Nazi invaders and by all press accounts had the Germans on the run. One pundit confidently predicted that there would be no trouble with the Japs until it became clear whether their buddy Hitler was winning or losing.
The Polish government in exile struck a deal with the Soviets to jointly fight the Nazis, with assurances of Polish independence after the war. (Two years later, when evidence was discovered of the Soviet execution of the Polish Officer Corps in the Katyn Forest, the Polish government canceled the arrangement).
And in Amsterdam, New York, Peace flowed like the lovely Mohawk River on which it stood. The downtown stores were decked out in their Christmas best and geared up for the hordes that descended every Friday night. The Thursday Evening Recorder ran over thirty pages during the shopping season. A children's serial Christmas story, Santa and the White Rose, appeared six days a week. Sam Fariello on Lincoln Avenue supplemented his hot fudge sundae trade with Christmas trees, “The Largest Assortment in the City!”
The three downtown movie theaters were getting ready for the new features coming in on Sunday. All three were owned by the Gloversville-based Schine chain. The Rialto at 41 Market Street had the blockbuster Birth of the Blues scheduled, with Bing Crosby, Mary Martin, Brian Donlevy, Carolyn Lee, Rochester and J. Carrol Naish, replacing Wallace Beery's Barnacle Bill. Down the street the Regent was headlining the Marx Brothers in The Big Store along with James Cagney and Pat O'Brien in Devil Dogs of the Air.
The much racier Strand, down near St. Mary's Church on East Main Street had another Brian Donlevy movie upcoming, South of Tahiti, also with “Brod” Crawford, Andy Devine, Maria Montez and “50 Sarong-Clad Goddesses of Love.” Daring Days! Exotic Nights! In a Forbidden Pagan Paradise!
Also featured at the Strand was The Smiling Ghost, starring Wayne Morris, Brenda Marshall and Alexis Smith (presumably for those whose tastes didn't run to sarong-clad goddesses of love).
Over on the South Side, Lanzi's restaurant featured “pizza” on Friday nights, the strange delicacy being so new they felt they had to put it in quotes. Up on Hibbard Street the Krupczak Pharmacy, decades ahead of its time, offered movie rentals of Castle Films for those people lucky enough to own an 8mm or 16 mm projector. “Amsterdam's Only Rental Library,” they proclaimed.
On the Sports pages, the major league baseball owners were holding their winter meetings in Jacksonville, Florida. Baseball had just finished an epic season, with Joe DiMaggio's hitting streak and Ted Williams' .406 batting average. Plans were already being made locally for the Yanks to come to Amsterdam in July to square off against their farm team, the Amsterdam Rugmakers of the Canadian-American League. Dom Salamack, a local booster of the New York Giants, notified the area that he had available for viewing a National League film recounting the recent season, including clips from the World Series between the Yankees and Brooklyn Dodgers.
Hank Greenburg, legendary slugger for the Detroit Tigers, was released from six months of active military duty (due to an act of Congress exempting draftees over the age of 28) and greatly looked forward to rejoining his team and getting his Army service behind him. (He next picked up a bat professionally in July of 1945).
The Recorder emphasized in an editorial the importance of the annual fund drive of the Amsterdam Community Chest.
And Jack Lanny and his orchestra announced that there would be dancing at Mohawk Mills Park. Admission for men, fifty cents. For women, thirty-five cents. Women arriving before 9 PM get in for a quarter!
Come one! Come all! This Sunday night, December 7! ( Read more... )
 
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FROM THE PASTOR
December 6, 2009
by Fr. George W. Rutler
Given cynicism about the civil justice system in our day, it is striking to read in Scripture the desire to be judged by God. “Be Thou my judge, O God, and plead my cause.” (Psalm 43:1) God is a “righteous judge” who will not be swayed by clever attorneys or malleable juries. But the merciful Christ also says, “…this is the will of Him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that He has given me, but raise them up in the last day.” (John 6:39) The second Sunday of Advent is about Christ the Judge. It would be the sin of presumption to suppose that God’s mercy does not require that we act justly. The Prodigal Son had to take the first step in the order of justice to return to the father. The sacraments of Holy Orders and Marriage bestow a “grace of state” (grace suitable for one’s state in life) by which God enables the receivers, according to their consecrated status, to promote His justice in the world. The ordained man does that by teaching and bringing Christ to the people. The husband and wife do that by showing the relationship between Christ and His Church. In my years as pastor, there have been 367 weddings in our church. Each one is like the first, and it is a joy to welcome their offspring in baptism. Our very good system of instruction is important in our society, which is so unjust about marriage that governments are even trying to “re-define” it. One often overlooked offense against God’s justice is cohabitation before marriage. There are those who snobbishly say that sex before marriage is only destructive among the poor and uneducated. Everyone is poor without God’s grace, and few are well educated about the laws of God. Often those least fortunate in the social order maintain God’s justice better than those who consider themselves sophisticated. Cohabitation before marriage increases the chance of divorce by 50% because of its wrong understanding of love. It also increases the tendency to adultery after marriage. Marriage is a social fact, and not a private matter. As it affects all of society, its misuse is unjust to everyone by distorting what God made marriage to be. It is unjust to the couple, because it deprives them of grace. Those desiring to “walk in the ways of justice” should not receive the Eucharist without a firm purpose of returning to God through Confession. As God is a just judge, He requires the best of those He loves. “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled; for God will judge the immoral and adulterous.” (Hebrews 13:4) With thanks for so good a judge, we await the coming of Christ with holy awe instead of the servile fear, which is the neurosis of people who underestimate their own potential for holiness.
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The ongoing dysfunction at all levels of Amsterdam city government has resulted in a complete legal mystery as to who holds, or will hold, the non-paying office of Member of the Citizens Review Board. This is really convoluted, so bear with me.
The three-member board was first created as an appointed ombudsman type office in the 1978 city charter. In 1982, following the recommendations of a charter review commission headed by me, the positions were made elected and the powers and independence of the board increased. This was affirmed by a majority of the electorate in November of 1982.
Both major political parties were terrified of the concept of an independent board actually looking at the way government is run, and so neither put up any candidates for the first general election. Your host, a bad Republican and at the time attorney for the Conservative Party locally, arranged for the Conservatives to gather petitions at the last minute for Republican upstarts Vito Dandreano, Pete Phelps and young whippersnapper Jeffrey Stark.
The Republicans then got hysterical and formed an independent party, the Key Lime Party or something like that, and put up their own slate in opposition to ours. Dandreano and Phelps won, and one of the Key Lime candidates.
When the Board first met to organize, the mayor at the time banned them from using City Hall, and so they ended up meeting in the lobby of the Public Safety Building, which is open 24 hours a day. Executive sessions were adjourned to the Mens Room.
That was about as active as the board ever got. After a few years, the staggered terms petered out and it got to the point again where no one was being nominated and elections were decided on write-in votes, if at all. The person getting the most votes, usually two or three, would then have to sign the oath book or the seat became vacant. We've had many vacant seats.
After some years of inactivity, the Common Council tried to eliminate the board, but the public overwhelmingly reasserted their interest in it, even if no one wanted to serve.
In the last couple of years, an effort has been made to reactivate, and the Common Council filled vacancies. Now, under the law, a filled vacancy for an elected position is only good until the next general election.
So, going in to this election cycle we have Board Members A, B and C.
I am assuming that Member A was elected for a three year term which has not expired. Member B, no one can answer for me. If she was appointed, her term should have been up for election this past November, and if she had been elected to fill a vacancy previously, the remainder of her term may have also expired for this November anyway, in which case the position should also have been on the ballot. And she moved out of town in August.
The seat that the City did certify to the Board of Elections as vacant, that of appointed Member C, was on the ballot this November. Odds are heavy that there should have been two positions open, if not three.
And then the election resulted in a tie vote, three to three. If there had been two seats open, both would be elected, but under the law, a tie vote results in NO ONE being elected. If someone HAD been elected, they would have taken office when the election results were certified, as happened with the City Controller a few years ago. But with no replacement, Member C remains in office until December 31, at which time a vacancy occurs.
The Common Council fills vacancies. Until December 31, there are no vacancies.
Nevertheless, the lame duck Common Council has now filled the position "effective January 1," which they have absolutely no authority to do. When questioned about this, Mayor Thane has opined that they are really filling the position of Member B who moved away. But Member B did not resign, nor has the Common Council certified the seat as vacant, which only they can do after giving Member B an opportunity to show that she is still a resident of the city. They haven't done that. In fact, none of them, except Alderman Leggiero who voted NO, can say what exactly it is they voted for.
So now the new council will come in in January and they have the ONLY legal authority to appoint someone. If they don't, the person appointed Tuesday to the unpaid position will be in legal limbo. Ditto if they appoint someone else. And they could still declare the other seat vacant and appoint TWO people.
Is it really, really too much to ask that they, maybe just this once, try to do things the right way?
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Lisa and Sean Going knock 'em dead. For brother Sean, every day is Oktoberfest, and now he has the clothes to prove it. Now I'll have to find the picture of Uncle Frank Brunelli as The Little Old Winemaker.
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[Continuing my sharing with you of some of the raw research for the book I am writing of the 176 Amsterdam area men who died in World War II. Anyone having newspaper clippings, telegrams, letters, anecdotes and/or good quality photos of these men, kindly comment here or email me at the address in the left column]
Recorder, August 30, 1944
Former Resident, Serving in Marines, Killed in Action, So Aunt Here Learns by Telegram
Mrs. Harold B. Schotte, 6 Grieme Avenue, this morning received a telegram informing her that her nephew, Sergeant Edward Peckenpaugh, son of Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Peckenpaugh, Cocoa, Fla., had been killed in action while serving with the 2nd Division, U. S. Marine Corps. No information was given as to the date of his death, or the place.
Conducted Dutch Grill
Mr. and Mrs. Peckenpaugh, who went from here to Florida, conducted the Dutch Grill on East Main Street during their residence in Amsterdam. Their son, Sergeant Peckenpaugh, was born in New York City, coming here with his parents, where he attended Amsterdam High School, from which he was graduated in the Class of 1935. In his senior year he was editor of the “Yearbook.”
He had a natural tact for the stage, his father having been in theatricals, and following his graduation from High School here he attended Syracuse University and later studied at the New York Academy of Dramatic Art.
He was a member of the Little Theater and appeared to excellent advantage in some of its local productions. He was also one of the Tamarack Players, under the stage name of Edward Barry, and likewise won success in his endeavors with those players.
His parents retired from business here in 1941 and went to make their home in Cocoa, Fla.
Sergeant Peckenpaugh had an active career since enlisting in the Marines and his efficient service won him the rank held at the time he met a hero's death in defense of his country. He had seen action on Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan and was last heard from prior to the Tinian invasion.
He was wounded at Tarawa but had recovered and rejoined his company on active duty.
[Note that he was a Wilbur H. Lynch High School contemporary of fellow-thespian Izzy Demsky, '34.]
Buy my murder mystery The Evil Has Landed
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[Continuing my sharing with you of some of the raw research for the book I am writing of the 176 Amsterdam area men who died in World War II. Anyone having newspaper clippings, telegrams, letters, anecdotes and/or good quality photos of these men, kindly comment here or email me at the address in the left column]
Recorder February 7, 1946
Another Amsterdamian Who Was Reported Missing in Action, Is Now Declared Officially Dead
Mrs. Doris Pawlowski, 7 Reid Street, has been informed in a letter from Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal that her husband, John T. Pawlowski, motor machinist's mate, first class, reported missing in action since September 24, 1943, has been classified by the navy Department as officially dead since January 3, 1946.
The Amsterdam man, in service with the Navy since 1937, was a member of the crew of the U.S.S. ???, a submarine last reported on its way from a port in the southwest Pacific to Pearl Harbor. Having failed to return from patrol operations, the crew was listed as missing, but according to the Secretary of the Navy, no official or unofficial reports have been received to the effect that any members of the crew survived or was taken prisoner.
His last visit to Amsterdam was in 1943. he was a member of the Polish National Church.
Besides his wife, he is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Pawlowski of the above address and a brother, William Pawlowski, also a resident of this city.
Buy my murder mystery The Evil Has Landed
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FROM THE PASTOR
November 29, 2009
by Fr. George W. Rutler
T.S. Eliot belabored the obvious in saying, “Humankind cannot bear very much reality.” The season of Advent is lyrically beautiful if one is willing to engage the realities it teaches: Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell. The alternative is to create a parallel universe partying in a faux Christmas confection of jingle bells, dancing elves and self-conscious bonhomie, avoiding the Incarnation of God. Reality, nonetheless, has the last say. Advent focuses on the reality of life as a sacred gift from God, and not a morally indifferent biological accident to be manipulated by human will. Pope Paul VI was scorned for saying this in his prophetic encyclical “Humanae Vitae,” whose predictions have been realized with frightening rapidity. The first illusion it condemned was artificial contraception as morally good. Those cultures that ignored reality are entering what the European Union now admits is a demographic “catastrophe.” The dwindling population rate is leading to the collapse of social welfare benefits and the bankruptcy of Europe’s cradle-to-grave welfare state. The cradles are emptying as fast as the graves are filling. A report presented to the European Parliament by the Institute for Family Policies says, “Europe is plunged in an unprecedented demographic winter and has become an elderly continent, with a large birth deficit, fewer marriages and more of them broken, homes emptying.” The report projects there will be 27 million fewer Europeans by 2050, with every third inhabitant over 65. Unspoken is the effect of Islamic immigration to fill the vacancies and replace European civilization. What is chillingly unreal about the report is its acceptance of those eugenic policies that brought on the catastrophe. Our own nation is on the edge of entering the same illusory world of a bright future without obedience to the facts of life. From a secular perspective, Johns Hopkins University sociologist Andrew Cherlin has written about the harm done to children by the “Marriage-Go-Round” in the United States. Marriage has become a status symbol rather than an essential core of society. Marriages in our country are even more ephemeral than in Europe. After just five years of marriage, 23 percent of Americans had separated or divorced compared to 12 percent in West Germany, 8 percent in Great Britain, and 3 percent in Italy. Dr. Cherlin’s approach is utilitarian and ultimately defeatist: “I think our best hope is to find better ways of coping with the culture we have.” Christ does not call us to cope with the culture, but to transform it. Transformation happened in a decaying Roman Empire and it can happen in our quaking modern imperium, but only by facing reality. In their recent annual conference, the US bishops issued a pastoral letter on marriage, which realistically spoke of good and evil. It is already being criticized by the sorts who mocked “Humanae Vitae,” but they are growing very grey.
If you enjoy reading these newsletters, please express your support with a Donation , of any amount, to the Church of Our Saviour. The Church of Our Saviour uses ParishPay to process online donations. Our website is www.OurSaviourNYC.org .
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Laura Ann's Mommy took this picture of the rest of us at Thanksgiving dinner. Notice Mary's plate is full while mine is empty. This does not mean that I was fasting, just fast.
L-r: Mary, Jamie, Laura Ann, Jamie's Leah, your host, Uncle Sy, Bob, Bob's fiancee Jenna, Louisa and Babci. Sy will be 87 next week and his sister Harriet (Babci) will be 89 ten days later. They have two older siblings. Aunt Marian in Auburn will be a hundred in March, at which point I guess they start singing Double Stolat.
Here's the way the room looked thirty minutes earlier:
What Norman Rockwell could have done with this!
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[Continuing my sharing with you of some of the raw research for the book I am writing of the 176 Amsterdam area men who died in World War II. Anyone having newspaper clippings, telegrams, letters, anecdotes and/or good quality photos of these men, kindly comment here or email me at the address in the left column]
Recorder, March 27, 1945
Navy Abandons Hope for Local Boy Reported Missing Last Dec. While on Mission in Aleutians
All hope has been abandoned for Machinist's Mate, 3rd Class, Edward Partyka, son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Partyka, 42 Crane Street, who had been reported missing in the Aleutian Islands last December 13, while on a landing mission. The family was informed by the Navy Department that there was little chance of finding him alive after a search had been made and no trace of the Amsterdam boy was discovered.
Machinist's Mate Partyka was born in Amsterdam June 4, 1923 and was graduated from the Wilbur H. Lynch Senior High School. He entered the service April 3, 1943, and his family last heard from him in the Aleutians. Before entering the service he was employed by the American Locomotive Company in Schenectady.
Besides his parents he is survived by two brothers, Raymond and Theodore Partyka, and two sisters, Josephine and Genevieve Partyka, all of Amsterdam. ( Read more... )
Buy my murder mystery The Evil Has Landed
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[Continuing my sharing with you of some of the raw research for the book I am writing of the 176 Amsterdam area men who died in World War II. Anyone having newspaper clippings, telegrams, letters, anecdotes and/or good quality photos of these men, kindly comment here or email me at the address in the left column]
Recorder June 23, 1944
Word has been received from the War Department that Corporal Edmund C. Pacunas, son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Pacunas, 12 Meadow Street was "killed in action" in Italy on May 31. The sorrowful announcement to the parents of the young hero was contained in the regulation telegram from the War Department and signed by Adjutant General Ulio. The family of Corporal Pacunas received a letter yesterday
confirming the original announcement.
Native Son
Corporal Edmund C. Pacunas, a native Amsterdamian, was born here October 18, 1919, and he attended the public schools and the Wilbur H. Lynch Senior High School. He was inducted January 15, 1942, and prior to that was employed at the Socony service station, corner East Main Street and Vrooman Avenue. He was at an Army post in North Carolina when he was shipped overseas 23 months ago, and since that time saw an abundance of action and was a veteran of three campaigns, serving in the Army Engineers.
Corporal Pacunas first landed in North Africa and went through the African campaign. Then he was transferred to Sicily and went through that campaign, going back to North Africa and returning to Sicily again before going into the Italian campaign. He was promoted to the rank of corporal from private first class while serving in these campaigns. The last letter received by his parents was on May 22, but a sister in Scotia received one dated May 29, written two days before he was killed.
His mother received the following letter from the War Department yesterday afternoon, in confirmation of the first word of his death:
War Department, Adjutant General's Office, Washington, D. C.
June 20, 1944.
Mrs. Helen Pacunas,
12 Meadow Street,
Amsterdam, N.Y.
Dear Mrs. Pacunas:
It is with regret I am writing to confirm the recent telegram informing you of the death of your son, Corporal Edmund C. Pacunas, Corps of Engineers, who was killed in action May 31, 1944. I fully understand your desire to learn as much as possible regarding the circumstances leading to his death, and I wish that there were more information available to give you. Unfortunately, reports of this nature contain only the briefest details, as they are prepared under battle conditions and the means of transmission are limited.
I know the sorrow this message has brought you and it is my hope that in time the knowledge of his heroic service to his country, even unto death, may be of sustaining comfort to you. I extend to you my deepest sympathy.
Sincerely Yours,
J. A. ULIO,
Major General,
The Adjutant General.
Member of St. Casimir's
Corporal Pacunas was a member of St. Casimir's Lithuanian Church, where a memorial requiem mass will be sung at a date to be announced later.
Besides his parents, he is survived by two sisters, Anna, who is a graduate nurse on the staff of the Ellis Hospital, Schenectady, and resides in Scotia, and Mrs. Charles Meyer, also of Scotia.
Buy my murder mystery The Evil Has Landed
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[Continuing my sharing with you of some of the raw research for the book I am writing of the 176 Amsterdam area men who died in World War II. Anyone having newspaper clippings, telegrams, letters, anecdotes and/or good quality photos of these men, kindly comment here or email me at the address in the left column]
Recorder, November 13, 1944
Private Edward J. Paciunas, Reported First as Wounded, Now Said Killed in Action
Mrs. Constance Paciunas, 40 Brookside Avenue, has been officially notified by the War Department that her husband, Private Edward J. Paciunas, father of two daughters, one aged three years and the other one year, had been killed in action in France, October 16. The message bringing the particularly sad news arrived after a. previous telegram, received on October 27, reported Private Paciunas "wounded in action October 14."
The second telegram reached Mrs. Paciunas on November 8, and read as follows:
"The Secretary of War desires that I tender his deep sympathy to you In the loss of your husband, Private Edward J. Paciunas, who was previously reported wounded in action. Report now received states he was killed in action October 10 in France.
"J. A. ULIO.
"Adjutant General."
Native of City
Private Paciunas was born in Amsterdam May 20, 1915, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Steven Paciunas and this city had always been his home. He graduated from the Wilbur H. Lynch Senior High School and was employed as a weaver in the Bigelow-Sanford carpet plant at the time of his induction into the armed forces March 9, 1944. He took his basic training in the Infantry at Camp Roberts, Calif., and went overseas last August.
He was a member of the American-Lithuanian Club and St. Casimir's Lithuanian Church. His name is entered upon the honor roll of gallant American boys who died in a noble cause.
Besides his wife, parents and two daughters, Arlene and Joan, he is survived by a brother, Everett, who is serving in the Navy.
Buy my murder mystery The Evil Has Landed
and don't forget The Judge Report (THE BOOK) is now available, too!
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[Continuing my sharing with you of some of the raw research for the book I am writing of the 176 Amsterdam area men who died in World War II. Anyone having newspaper clippings, telegrams, letters, anecdotes and/or good quality photos of these men, kindly comment here or email me at the address in the left column]
Recorder, January 8, 1945
Officially Reported Killed In Action in Germany After First Being Listed Missing
Mr. and Mrs. Emmanuel V. Pacillo, 12 Lark Street, have been notified by the War Department that their son, Private First Class Frank A. Pacillo, 22, previously reported "missing in action in Germany December 12," is now officially listed as "killed in action in Germany December 12."
Second Telegram Arrives
Mr. and Mrs. Pacillo received the first telegram reporting their son missing a week ago. The second one, which arrived over the weekend, read as follows:
"The Secretary, of the Army that I assure you of his deep sympathy in the loss of your son, Private First Class Frank A. Pacillo, who was previously reported missing in action. Report now received states he was killed in action December 13 in Germany. Confirming letter follows.
"DUNLOP,
"Adjutant General."
Native of Amsterdam
PFC Pacillo was born in Amsterdam March 26, 1922. He attended the grade schools, the Junior High School and the Technical High School here and was a member of the Y. M. C. A. and St. Michaels Church. Before his induction he was employed at the Scotia Naval Depot.
PFC Pacillo entered military service March 9, 1944. He was at Camp Dix. N. J., before being sent to Camp Roberts. Calif., where he received his basic training and was shipped overseas September 15. He served in the Infantry, his regiment being called the "Go-Devils" and he saw action in both France and Germany. His advancement in rank came while he was in action and he had been awarded medals for gallant service.
He was popular in the circles in which he moved and his friendly nature was one of his chief attributes.
Besides his parents, he is survived by a sister, Antoinette, and two brothers. Michael and Anthony,at home; three other brothers serving in the armed forces, Sergeant Dominic Pacillo and Corporal William Pacillo in Italy, and PFC Annunzio Pacillo, whose present station is unknown, also his grandmother and several aunts, uncles cousins, nieces and nephews.
Buy my murder mystery The Evil Has Landed
and don't forget The Judge Report (THE BOOK) is now available, too!
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[Continuing my sharing with you of some of the raw research for the book I am writing of the 176 Amsterdam area men who died in World War II. Anyone having newspaper clippings, telegrams, letters, anecdotes and/or good quality photos of these men, kindly comment here or email me at the address in the left column]
Recorder, September 2, 1944
Youthful Local Hero Gives Life for Country While Serving With Marines in Pacific Area
Private First Class Harold W. Ouderkirk, Jr., U. S. Marine Corps, son of Dr. and Mrs. Harold W. Ouderkirk, 78 Arnold Avenue, was "killed in action" in the Pacific theater, according to a telegram received here Wednesday morning. No date of his death was given. Had he had lived until next Tuesday he would have been 21 years of age. Widely known and extremely popular, the announcement that he has been killed is received with deep regret here, but there is balm in the knowledge that he is one of the large number of America's gallant heroes who have made the supreme sacrifice to the present titanic struggle that the cause of freedom shall not be torn asunder.
Dr. and Mrs. Ouderkirk were in New Hampshire on a vacation trip when the telegram arrived here from the War Department. The news was immediately transmitted to them and, as to all the other Amsterdam fathers and mothers who have given their sons to the noble cause, the shock was severe. Dr. and Mrs. Ouderkirk are now resting at a Summer camp in the Batchellerville neighborhood and are expected home Monday afternoon.
Private First Class Ouderkirk was born in this city September 5, 1923 and he attended the public schools and the Wilbur H. Lynch Senior High School, graduating from the latter in the Class of 1941. He was active In youth organizations about the Y. M. C. A. and he enjoyed the friendship of all his comrades.
November 12, 1942, he was in Syracuse where he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and was placed in reserve, being called for training January 7, 1943. He took his basic training in the famous “Leathernecks" at Parris Island, S. C, and from there he went to New River, N. C, where he was assigned to the instrument section of the 14th Regiment (Artillery), Fourth Division. He was transferred to Camp Pendleton, Calif., in August, 1943, and last January was sent to the Pacific theater. He was in action with the now famous Fourth Division of the Marines in the Marshall Islands, and was in the Battle of Saipan with his own division, the Second Marine Division and the 27th Division of New York State, which included Company G, 105th Infantry of Amsterdam. Private First Class Ouderkirk came through the bloody struggle at Saipan unharmed and his parents heard from him after the Japs had been vanquished there.
He was a member of the First Baptist Church and besides his parents he is survived by one sister, Mrs. Henry O. Parry, whose husband is an ensign in the U. S. Navy, they making their present home in San Francisco, also his grand|mothers, Mrs. Harry W. Ouderkirk, Amsterdam. and Mrs. Fred C. Sarno, Johnstown.
Buy my murder mystery The Evil Has Landed
and don't forget The Judge Report (THE BOOK) is now available, too!
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[Continuing my sharing with you of some of the raw research for the book I am writing of the 176 Amsterdam area men who died in World War II. Anyone having newspaper clippings, telegrams, letters, anecdotes and/or good quality photos of these men, kindly comment here or email me at the address in the left column]
Recorder, October 13, 1944
Army Sergeant Dies Suddenly; Has Wife Here
Mrs. John Y. Nichol, who is residing with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Leopold Leonard, 410 Locust Avenue, received a telegram this morning announcing the sudden death of her husband, Staff Sergeant Nichol, which occurred today at Camp Gruber, Oklahoma. No details of the death were given, and a letter is expected to follow.
Staff Sergeant Nichol entered the Army in June, 1941, and received his basic training at Camp Upton, N. Y., where he was stationed for a year. He was next sent to New York City as a recruiting officer, where he remained until he was reassigned to Camp Croft, S. C. He next went to Fort Benning, Ga., and three months ago, to Camp Gruber. Mrs. Nichol traveled with him until he was sent to the Oklahoma camp.
Staff Sergeant Nichol was born in Clyddank, Scotland, the son of John R. and Elizabeth Young Nichol, and came to America with his parents when he was eight years old. The Nichols came directly to Schenectady, where he attended the public schools and was graduated from Mont Pleasant High School in 1936. He was employed by the General Electric Company for some time, and was working in the credit department of the Schenectady Union Star when inducted. He was a member of Clan MacRae, of which he was a past chief, and of St. Andrew's Society, both Schenectady organizations.
Survivors Include his wife, the former Rachel C. Leonard, whom he married in May, 1941; one son, John Robert Nichol; his parents; one brother, Robert; an aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. John Anderson, Delanson; two nieces and one nephew.
The body is expected to arrive in Amsterdam Monday. The funeral will probably be held Wednesday.
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[Continuing my sharing with you of some of the raw research for the book I am writing of the 176 Amsterdam area men who died in World War II. Anyone having newspaper clippings, telegrams, letters, anecdotes and/or good quality photos of these men, kindly comment here or email me at the address in the left column]
Recorder, June 4, 1943
Another Local Hero Pays With His Life In American Cause
Private Angelo Natoli of 89 Academy Street, Killed In North African Area on April 28, News Reveals
Another Amsterdam young man has made the supreme sacrifice in the great cause of democracy and the preservation of American Ideals.
Word has been received by Mr. and Mrs. John Natoli, 89 Academy Street, that their son, Private Angelo Natoli, 26, was killed in action in the North African area on April 28.
The sad news was revealed in the following message received from the War Department at Washington, D. C, through Adjutant General Ulio, and which reads as follows:
"The Secretary of War desires that I tender his deep sympathy to you in the loss of your son, Private Angelo Natoli. Report just received states that he was killed in action on April 28 in North African area.
Letter follows.
"ULIO,
"The Adjutant General."
The last his parents received word from Private Natoli was Saturday, May 29, when a letter arrived from North Africa. It was written April 14, two weeks before he paid with his life on the field of honor.
Private Natoli was born in Amsterdam August 5, 1916. He attended the public schools and afterward was employed in the Shuttleworth Division of the Mohawk Carpet Mills, being at work there at the time he entered military service September 18, 1942. He received his basic training in the Infantry at Fort McClellan, Ala., where he was awarded a medal for marksmanship.
He is believed to have arrived in the North African area the latter part of February and he was in the thick of the campaign there. The announcement of his death adds another gold star to Amsterdam's big service flag but it brings deep regret. The young man passed his entire life in his native city up to the time he fearlessly answered the call to his country's defense.
Besides his parents he is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Joseph Call and Mrs. Mary Smicinski; four brothers, Dominick, Barney, Anthony and Private First Class John Natoli, Jr., also three nephews, one niece and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Recorder, July 19, 1943
The President of the United States has awarded the Purple Heart, posthumously to Private Angelo Natoli, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Natoli, 89 Academy Street, who was killed in action April 28 last in the North African area while heroically fighting in defense of his country's honor. Announcement of the award was received by his father, In the following letter from Secretary of War Stimson:
My dear Mr. Natoli:
The President has requested me to inform you that the Purple Heart has been awarded posthumously to your son, Private Angelo Natoli, Infantry, who sacrificed his life In defense of his country. The medal which you will receive shortly is of slight intrinsic value but rich with the tradition for which Americans are no gallantly giving their liven. The father of our country, whose profile and coat of arms adorn the medal, speaks from it across the centuries to the men who fight today for the proud freedom he founded.
Nothing the War Department can do or say will in any sense repair the loss of your loved one. He has gone, however, in honor and in the goodly company of patriots. Let me, in communicating to you the country's deepest sympathy, also express to you its gratitude for his valor and devotion. Please believe me,
Sincerely yours,
HENRY L. STIMSON.
In addition Mrs. Natoli, mother of the gallant hero, received the following letter from Chief of Staff Marshall of the War Department:
My dear Mrs. Natoli:
I wish to extend my heartfelt sympathy on the death of your son who was killed in action. Angelo Natoli was a gallant soldier of the United States Army whose name is now indelibly recorded on the rolls of our nation's honored dead. As time passes, I hope that you will derive some consolation in the realization that your son gave his life so that others might live as free men.
Again my deepest sympathy to you and to the other members of the family.
Faithfully yours.
G. C. MARSHALL,
Chief of Staff.
The Purple Heart medal and the engraved certificate of the order issued by the President of the United States and signed by Secretary of War Stimson, awarded to "Private Angelo Natoli, A. S. No. 32491186, for military merit and for wounds received in action resulting in his death April 28, 1943," have been received by his parents.
The late Private Natoli was born in Amsterdam and attended the public schools here, afterward being employed in the Shuttleworth Division of the Mohawk Carpet Mills. He was engaged there when he entered military service September 18, 1942. He received his basic training in the Infantry at Fort McClellan, Ala., where he won a medal for marksmanship.
Tribute to Private Angelo Natoli
As a martyr is sanctified through the ages for the immortality of the righteousness of his cause, so the honorably valiant hearts that beat with dynamic symmetry for the security of our ideals and heritage are enshrined for their deeds of gallantry, glory of heroism, and redemptive spirit of justice on the altar of civilization and Christendom.
The late Private Angelo Natoli who fell on the field of honor in the battle where glory and grief commingled has entered the sanctum of this hallowed realm of sainthood. Quiet and unassuming was he in his peaceful pursuit of industry and contentment. No task was found that did not have its interest; no pastime its entertainment. Yes life was richly endowed with traditional thoughtfulness and love for the home in which he was cherished. All who knew him gained the versatility of his amiable and sociable attributes. As a good neighbor and faithful friend, a hero recognized for the courageous conviction of his indomitable spirit of sacrifice he is mourned by all. Though in honored glory his name is engraved on the scroll of history, immeasurably profound and irreparable has been the sustained anguish of his bereaved family.
There is no death for him who has fought, for his spirit of heroism marches on triumphantly to ultimate victory. He did not live to die. Reverently in the glory he attained he sleeps evermore to live eternally in the sanctuary of Mankind, in the bosom of consecrated peace.
ANTHONY TOMASELLO.
July 19, 1943.
[I remember Tony Tomasello. He was a great friend of my grandparents and could be called upon for any occasion to pay appropriate tribute. His eloquent words pop up frequently in my research.]
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[Continuing my sharing with you of some of the raw research for the book I am writing of the 176 Amsterdam area men who died in World War II. Anyone having newspaper clippings, telegrams, letters, anecdotes and/or good quality photos of these men, kindly comment here or email me at the address in the left column]
Recorder, February 6, 1946
Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Murawski, 23 Van Derveer Street have been notified by the Navy Department that their son, Victor Joseph Murawski, fireman, 1st class, U. S. N. R., listed as missing since August 13, 1944, has been officially declared dead. The Amsterdam sailor was serving on board the U.S.S. Flier, a submarine which failed to return from patrol operations in the Pacific area.
Information available regarding the action in which their son apparently lost his life was given to the parents in a letter from Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal. He states that the U.S.S. Flier was cruising on the surface through a pass between islands in the Philippine group on the night of August 13, 1944 when there was a sudden tremendous explosion in the water alongside and a few seconds later the submarine went under. Immediately after the sinking personnel were seen in the water, but it appeared that only those stationed on the bridge or in the conning tower had managed to get clear of the vessel. Eight men were the only known survivors. A search of surrounding islands proved fruitless and to date no further information has been received by the Navy Department concerning Fireman Murawski.
Concluding his message, Secretary Forrestal writes:
“In view of the length of time to that has now elapsed since your son was reported missing, and because there have been no official or unconfirmed reports that he survived or was taken prisoner of war, I am reluctantly forced to the conclusion that he is deceased. I extend my deepest sympathy to you in your sorrow. It is hoped that you may find comfort in the knowledge that he gave his life for his country, upholding the highest traditions of the Navy."
Victor J. Murawski was born in Amsterdam November 28, 1924, and was graduated from the Wilbur H. Lynch High School in the Class of 1942. He worked at the Schenectady Army Depot for a few months after graduating but immediately following his 18th birthday, he enlisted in the Navy and was called into service in January, 1943.
Upon completion of "boot" training at Sampson, N. Y., he was sent to New London, Conn., for advanced training in submarine warfare following which he was assigned to the newly commissioned U. S. S. Flier. Young Murawski was home on his last leave in April, 1944, when his ship was returned from the Pacific area for repairs.
Surviving him besides his parents are three sisters, Mrs. Anne Bush, Mrs. Helen Pawloski and Miss Alice Murawski; two brothers, Corporal Anthony Murawski, now en route home from Manila, and R. M. 1/C Henry Murawski, aboard the transport U. S. S. Lander; also two nephews.
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[Continuing my sharing with you of some of the raw research for the book I am writing of the 176 Amsterdam area men who died in World War II. Anyone having newspaper clippings, telegrams, letters, anecdotes and/or good quality photos of these men, kindly comment here or email me at the address in the left column]
Recorder, April 25, 1945
Son of Veteran of Previous World War Reported Killed In Action in Germany Mar. 23
Technician Fifth Grade Robert A. Munroe was killed in action in Germany on March 23, according to a telegram received from the War Department by his wife, Mrs. Mildred Munroe, 77 Prospect Street. His father, Arnold G. Munroe, a veteran of World War I, is a patient in Veterans' Hospital, Brooklyn, and his mother, Mrs. Louise Munroe, resides at 243 East Main Street.
Technician Munroe was born in Amsterdam and attended St. Mary's Institute, from which he was graduated with the Class of 1942. He was inducted February 9, 1943, and was assigned to the Quartermaster's Department at Camp Lee Va. Later he was transferred to Camp Campbell, Ky.
He went overseas in January, 1944, arriving in England. Sent to the Continent, he was transferred to the Infantry, and added to the citation for services in the previous branch, he received the Combat Infantryman's Badge. His courageous action in combat was cited in a letter received April 24 from Lieut. Colonel Raynor E. Anderson, his commanding officer.
The information received thus far includes the fact that Corporal Munroe was buried with military honors, the rites being conducted by a Catholic chaplain in an Army cemetery in Luxembourg.
Buy my murder mystery The Evil Has Landed
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[Continuing my sharing with you of some of the raw research for the book I am writing of the 176 Amsterdam area men who died in World War II. Anyone having newspaper clippings, telegrams, letters, anecdotes and/or good quality photos of these men, kindly comment here or email me at the address in the left column]
Recorder, May 23, 1945
Wounded While Fighting With Infantry in Italy, Local Boy Dies V-E Day, Report States
PFC Thomas B. Mullarkey, reported as seriously wounded in Italy on April 27, died on V-E Day, May 8, according to information of the War Department, received yesterday by his wife, Mrs. Edna B. Mullarkey, 75 West Main Street.
Text of Telegram
The telegram from Adjutant General Ulio states:
The Secretary of War desires me to express his deep regret that your husband, Private First Class Thomas B. Mullarkey, died of wounds in Italy on May 8. Confirming letter follows.
Private First Class Mullarkey was born in Amsterdam March 31, 1910, the son of Thomas B. and Nellie Ardison Mullarkey. He attended St. Mary's Institute. He was a member of St. Mary's Church and the Holy Name Society of the church. His marriage to Edna B. Kuiber took place on January 29, 1942. Before entering service he was employed at the General Electric plant in Schenectady.
Following induction on October 29,1943, he received radar training at Southwork Station, Philadelphia, Pa. Further training was received at Camp Davis, N. C. and Camp Meade, Md. Sent overseas to England in July of 1944, he remained in that country until the Fall of last year when he was sent to Italy, where he was attached to Company G of the 133rd Infantry, Fifth Army. No additional details surrounding the wounding and death have been received.
Besides the wife, the survivors are a son, Thomas B., 3rd, two and one-half years old; two brothers, Joseph Mullarkey of this city, and John, S1/C, stationed in the Pacific area: three nephews, several aunts, uncles and cousins.
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The secret to any good meal is to substitute Jim Beam Kentucky Bourbon whenever the recipe calls for milk.
Turkey Watch
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