Peekskill, N.Y.
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High School
Memorial Page |
Dedicated
to our classmates
who gave their
lives
in defense
of our country |
The webmasters will publish anything and everything
that you send to us which will reflect on the events leading
up to the sacrifice these classmates made, or to any other references
and details you can offer.about these heroes.
Let's remember as much about them as we possibly
can. |
Some
will come into our lives
and
some will only be here briefly.
Each
will move Our Souls
and
enable us to see "beyond"
Each
will have contributed their wisdom
no
matter how brief or long their stay.
But
each will "Always"
Leave
Imprints in our Hearts
and
We will never again be the same.
Contributed by Janet
(Finch) Hoffman May, 2000
Details
of many of those men and women who were killed in action
during
all of the wars may be viewed at: U.S.A. Listing
JOHN BERTA - WWII
Class of 1941. John had the ambition to become an aeronautical
engineer. He was a member of the National Honor Society, Airplane
Club and Press Club |
JOHN FISHER-WWII
Class of 1939. John's Yearbook described him as being quiet,
witty and with impeccable manners. John was well liked. As President
of the Band Club and a member of the Orchestra, music was his
outstanding activity. |
We will add pictures
and details to this entire page
as they become
available from YOU.
If you knew any
of these young men
and have a personal
memory to add,
please contact
the webmaster at sumterclub@atlantic.net
CHARLES NEIDHARDT - WWII
Class of 1942. He was an active member of the Swimming Club
for three years. He was described as having a well rounded personality
and varied talents. |
GILBERT SINGER USN(R) WW II
Class of 1940. Bill was a member of the Cheerleaders,
Hi-Y, Consumers Union, and the Engineering Club. His ambition
was to become a civil engineer. |
I understand that a park has been named the Gilbert
Singer Memorial Park but I do not have any details. He was killed
in action and held the rank of Ensign
 JOHN J. WALSH, Class of 1940
WWII "Shagger" was known for his dancing ability
and as a running back on the football team. He was also Hudson
River League Champion miler in 1938. |
The picture above was taken at Depew Park, prior to
one of the track meets. On the left is Robert(Greek) Pappas who
was All-County 100 yard dash champion, John (Shagger) Walsh is
in the middle. Shagger was All County miler. On the right is Coach
George Peterson who fielded many championship track teams in the
late 30's and 40's. Bob Pappas was a Bangalore Torpedo man and
was severely wounded but survived the war. He passed away in 2003.
Shagger was also a regular on the PHS football squad
in 1940
John is pictured here during an All-County track meet.
It was always his running plan to be out in front from start to
finish.
~~~~
These pictures and this additional information has
been received to add to our knowledge of Pvt. First Class John
J. Walsh and the actions he participated in.
His nephew John C. Walsh and brother Donald Walsh informed
us that John was in the
"Timberwolves" 104th Infantry Division, 415th
Infantry Regiment.
On November 3, 1944, John's company was assigned the
job of crossing a river in Belgium (probably the Mark), he was
in the first wave as a BAR man. German tanks and infantry were
waiting for them at the landing. Out of 120 soldiers in the first
wave, only 12 survived the attack. John is buried in the Henri-Chapelle
cemetary in Belgium
The following details were provided by George Cruger
Two Posthumous Awards for 1st Lt. Harold H.
Cruger
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The Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart have
been
posthumously awarded to
First Lieutenant Harold H.Cruger, of Peekskill,
who was killed in action inBelgium on January 1, 1945.
He was attached to the 347th
Infantry Regiment, 87th Golden Acorn Division
The Bronze Star medal was accompanied by the
following citation:
"For heroic achievement in action against an
armed enemy of the UnitedStates near Remagen, Belgium on 1 January
1945. While crossing an open field in an attack upon high ground
beyond a wooded area, Lieutenant Cruger's company received direct
fire from enemy tanks. Despite this and additional heavy fire
from hostile machine guns, Lieutenant Cruger continued to lead
his men forward until he was mortally wounded.
Lieutenant Cruger's courageous and aggressive leadership
enabled his company to gain itsobjective and is in keeping with
the highesttraditionsothe United States Army." |
According to news reports of this period, United States troops
were then engaged in particularly heavy fighting
with strong enemy forces in the Remagen area of the Ardennes salient.
Lieutenant Cruger, son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert E. Cruger, volunteered
for Officers Candidates School and was
accepted on June 17, 1942. His training period was spent at Camp
Croft, South Carolina, and the infantry
school atFort Benning, Ga. On February 18, 1943, he was commissioned
a Second Lieutenant in the Army of
the United States and stationed at Fort McClellan, Alabama, as
an instructor. He was appointed a First
Lieutenant in April 1944 and assigned to an infantry regiment
at Camp Jackson, South Carolina. Shortly afer,
he embarked for overseas duty and his regiment was subseequently
attached to theAmerican Third Army
commanded by Lt. General George S. Patton.
Lieutenant Cruger was graduated from Peekskill High School
with the Class of 1932. He was captain and
payed end on the1931 high school football team. After graduation
from high school, he attended Duke
University and later the American Institute of Banking. He was
employed as a teller by the Westchester County
National Bank at the time he entered the Army.
On October 5, 1940, Lieutenant Cruger was married to Miss Rhoda
Conklin. A son, Michael Hilliard Cruger,
was born March 13, 1945.
===============
Nancy Niles has contributed the following account about
Lt. Harold Cruger,
who was a member of the Class of 1932 - Thanks Nancy.
According to an account written by my father, Harold
Cruger was killed on
New Year's Day, 1945 near a town called Labaschere, which I assume
is in
France. He took a direct hit from a German 88. There was "little
left to
bury" my father wrote. He said Harold was a bank teller in
Peekskill. My
father wasn't from Peekskill -- he grew up in Cobleskill and Oneonta,
so I
assume their friendship formed because they went through basic
training and
went overseas together in the 87th Division (Golden Acorn).
Bertram Archer (42)
John Astrab
Russell Beskin
Thomas Boyle
Lester Conklin, Jr.
John Cox
Sheldon Craddock
Harold Cruger
Paul Dietz
George enterlein
Lee Ferris
Steven Forman
Everette E. Goethe
Saul Gerlich |
Other Peekskill Casualties From
World War II
With a Special thanks
to
Margaret (McKeon) Conklin,
Class of 1958, who copied these names from the Peekskill Monument
on Highland Avenue and supplied some of the pictures
~~~~
Morris Gerlich, (30)
Theodore Grouez
Vincent E. Hiland
Loftus J. Hoffman
David J. Kiley
Richard W. Lent
Donald McCrae
Thomas J. McGee
Franklin C. Miller
George A. Miller, Jr.
Charles T. Minor
Alfred J. Rasmus
Edward L. Rehak |
Charles J. Roberts
Thomas J. Roe
John A. Salerno (42)
Anthony Scarmellino
George F. Simon, Jr.
Raymond Smallheiser
Fred P. Smith
Frank Snyder
George W. Squires, Jr.
William Stern
Paul Tepper
James J. Timko
Barnard K. Timm, Jr.
William P. Villetto
Joseph J. Williams
Aaron W. Wyatt, Jr. |
We have received word from D. Kuritzky that William
Stern, class of 1943 left before he graduated, was killed
in action in
WWII. Bill was on the Submarine USS HERRING, the only US sub sunk
by a Japanese shore battery. Bill played football and swam the
breast stroke on the swimming team. His father and his sister
both served in WWII.
Frederick Tuttle |
Killed in the Korean Conflict |
Charles Williams |
Simulated rubbings from "The Wall"
For an impressive web page dedicated to the Viet Nam
servicemen
who gave their lives, visit "The
Wall"
LTC.
Robert Irwin
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Robert was a pilot who was a casualty during the Vietnam War.
Died while missing.Thursday, June 29, 1978. He was age 39. Married
He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. His name is on
the Wall, Panel 02W - Line 107 |
PFC.
John Barden Hudson.
Killed in the Vietnam War. He was a member of the Marine
Corps. PFC Hudson served our country until April 20th, 1968 in
Thua Thien, South Vietnam. He was 19 years old and a member of
the Class of 1967. John died from an undetermined explosion. His
body was recovered. He was born on April 13, 1949 in Peekskill.
John's name is enscribed on panel 51E, line 008 of the Veterans
Memorial Wall. He served our country for less than a year.(We
do not have a class or other picture of John. If anyone has a
picture, a copy belongs here).
LASTING IMPRESSION
Joyous was his life, so full
of promise and hope.
Always aware of his faith in God
and patriotism for his country, his
Concern for all he knew showed
in his morality.
Kindness for his fellow Americans
was the motivator of his young life.
Imagination for what the future
may have held for him shall
Evermore stay in the minds and
hearts of those who knew and loved him.
Heaven called him home early,
and we had no choice but to let him go
Until the time comes again when
we will all be reunited.
Death ends human life, but those
with faith know there is an eternal life.
Surely we believe wholeheartedly
that he is that Divine place.
Over the years his memory has not
diminished nor his spirit lessened.
Now all the world will know him
through the imprint of his name.
Composed by Betsy (Finch) Rodino,Class of 1969 |
CPL.
Bruce Edward Reed, U.S.Army, 25th Infantry Division
"A Good Friend, and a Good
Soldier"
as contributed by R. Glenn Stubbs,
Jr., Class of 1967
Born April 23, 1948. Corporal Reed was killed on February
28, 1969, at
Hua Nahia, South Viet Nam by small arms fire. His body
was recovered.
His name is listed on Panel 31W, Line 096 of the Veterans
Memorial Wall
PFC.
Frank John Guichaud
Private First Class Frank John Guichaud, a casualty
of the Vietnam War. As a member of the Marine Corps, PFC Guichaud
served our country until May 24, 1967 in Quang Nam, South Vietnam.
He was 19 years old and was not married. Frank died from an undetermined
explosion. His body was recovered.
Frank was born on December 16, 1947 in Peekskill, N.Y.
PFC Guichaud name is on Panel 20E, Line 095 of the
Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.
He served his country for one year.
Limited information is available about these additional
Peekskill Casualties of the Viet Nam War. The details supplied
here may not be completely accurate. If so we offer apologies
and would appreciate your making corrections
If you have any further details and/or picture please
contact the webmaster sumterclub@atlantic.net
LCPL.
Michael John Amato, U.S. Marines
Born January 30, 1947. Probably in the Class of 1965.
Lance Corporal Amato was killed on May 13, 1967 at Quana Tri,
South Viet Nam. He was killed by small arms fire. He served for
2 years and was 20 years old. His body was recovered
His name is listed on Panel 19E, Line 102 of the Veterans
Memorial Wall
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Captain Oliver C. Chase, Jr., U.S. Air Force
Born June 23, 1932. Class of 1950. Captain Chase was
killed on July 22, 1965. He was a pilot who crashed on land at
Binh Dinh, South Viet Nam. He was 33 years old and married. His
body was recovered.
His name is listed on Panel 02E, Line 042 of the Veterans
Memorial Wall
Classmate George Bishop sent the picture in from Surrey,
United Kingdom. The Yearbook describes Oliver as a "Quiet
fellow . . . manages to make his presence known . . . easy to
get along with". Activities included J.V. Football, Track
Team, Rifle Team, Intra-murals.
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Lt.
Commander Barton Sheldon Creed, U.S. Navy
Born April 3, 1945. Probably the Class of 1963 or perhaps
from PMA.
Commander Creed was killed on October 2, 1978. He was
a pilot. He was reported missing in Laos.
His body was not recovered.
His name is listed on Panel 04W, Line 043 of the Veterans
Memorial Wall
Bart was the son of George and Verna Creed of Peekskill
In memory of Barton
Sheldon Creed, please visit Janet (Finch) Hoffman's web page at:
A Tribute to Barton Sheldon Creed
PFC.
William Timothy Dorsey, U.S. Army, 9th Infantry Division
Born February 28, 1944. Probably the Class of 1962.
At age 26, Private First Class Dorsey was killed on July 3, 1970,
at Long An, South Vietnam by an explosive device. He was married.
His body was recovered.
His name in listed on Panel 09W, Line115 of the Veterans
Memorial Wall
PFC.
William Martin Kelly, U.S. Army, 101st Airborne Division
Born Jan 10, 1947. Probably the Class of 1965 or perhaps
PMA. Private First Class Kelly was killed on June 22, 1966, in
South Vietnam by small arms fire. His body was recovered.
His name is listed on Panel 08E, Line 076 of the Veterans
Memorial Wall
SP
5. John Thomas Lockhart, U.S. Army
Born March 27, 1950. Specialist Lockhart was killed
on March 11, 1971.
He was a helicopter crew member and was killed over
Laos. His body was recovered.
His name is listed on Panel 04W, Line 038 of the Veterans
Memorial Wall
Contributed by Marty Bischoff - PHS class of 70 . . .
I have some further information on John Lockhart. John was a 1969
graduate of Lakeland High School. He lived on Ridge Road off Lafayette
Ave. in Peekskill. His next door neighbor was a good friend of
mine, Gary Novak who formally lived on Broad Street. John was
a great guy and fun loving. As aninsight, on my 16th birthday,
Gary, John, and I all skipped school so John could drive me to
Beacon to get my learners permit. After all, that's more important
than school.
SSG.
Chester John Moshier, Jr., U.S. Marines
Born Jan 16, 1934. Staff Sgt. Moshier was killed on
July 24, 1968, at Quang Nam, South Viet Nam by an explosive device.
His body was recovered. He was a member of the Class of 1953 and
served with the U.S. Marines for 14 years.
His name is listed on Panel 50W, Line 001 of the Veterans
Memorial Wall
~~~~~~~~~
I was about 5 years older than Chester, so I
was a Korean Vet the last time I saw him.
He visited my dads grocery store on So. Division
St. and
I recall how proud he was to wear the uniform
of the U.S. Marine Force.
He was a great guy and I was proud to call him
a friend. Ralph (Buddy) Treadwell
PFC.
Douglas Ronald Mowbray, U.S. Marines
Born October 18, 1945. Probably the Class of 1963.
Private First Class Mowbray was killed on September 15, 1966 at
Quang Tri, South Viet Nam by small arms fire. His body was recovered.
His name is listed on Panel 10E, Line 001 of the Veterans
Memorial Wall
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SGT.
Lawrence Elston Osborne, U.S. Army, 25th Infantry Division
Born November 25, 1947. Class of 1965. Sergeant Osborne
was killed on April 4, 1968 at Tay Ninh, South Viet Nam by small
arms fire. His body was recovered.
His name is listed on Panel 48E, Line 073 of the Veterans
Memorial Wall
"Ozzie" was described in his Yearbook as
the Mel allen of the 70's. He hoped to become a teacher.In addition
to playing JV Basketball and Baseball - he was the Sports Editor
of the Yearbook, Mercury, Basketball and Volleyball Intramurals.
SGT.
Michael Louis Poggi, U.S. Army, 25th Infantry Division
Born August 30, 1948. Possibly the Class of 1966. Sergeant
Poggi was killed on March 28, 1969 at Tay Ninh
by small arms fire. His body was recovered
His name is listed on Panel 28W, Line 073 of the Veterans
Memorial Wall
We have received word that
Henry Bethea
was a casualty of the Viet Nam war. He was a Pfc in
the Army. Henry was born on March 22, 1948.
He was a casualty in Phuoc Long, South Vietmnam on
Feb 9, 1969 by a hostile explosive device.
His body was recovered.
His name is listed on Panel 30W, Line 35 of the Veterans
Memorial Wall
If anyone viewing this page has the name, class and
yearbook picture, or any further details, of any Peekskill High
School student who made the ultimate sacrifice in any of the wars,
please contact Ron Abbey, Webmaster sumterclub@atlantic.net
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