World War II

About Charles Bitsko

Bitsko, Charles, Pvt., Serial No. 32559648, U.S. Army, "Died in the Line of Duty" on 11 November 1943 while aboard a troop transport ship in the Pacific. On 21 August 1944 a new bridge was named in his honor in the vicinity of his unit's camp in the South Pacific.

This Fallen Hero grew up in Hillside, but at the time of his entry into the army he resided on Raritan Road. Bitsko is buried at the Evergreen Cemetery, Hillside, NJ.

About Paul J. Clauss

Clauss, Paul J., PFC, Serial No. 32240351, U.S. Army, 77th Infantry Division "Killed in Action" by machine gun fire, 15 December 1944 on Leyte Island, the Philippines, while coming to the aid of a wounded soldier.

Paul, who was 31 years old when killed on his birthday, was the victim of Japanese machine gun fire while saving the life of another soldier in a battle on the Island of Leyte in the Philippines. The other soldier had been wounded in the leg and was rescued by Paul before he himself was killed.

This Fallen Hero grew up in Elizabeth but later moved with his parents to Coldevin Road. Clauss is buried at St. Gertrude's Cemetery in Colonia.

About Melvyn Graves

Graves, Melvyn, Pvt., Serial No. 42100647, U.S. Army, "Killed in Action" 24 January 1945 while serving in France at the end of the Battle of the Bulge. This hero was under heavy mortar and artillery fire and was hit in by a piece of shrapnel. His father, Herman Graves, was Mayor of Clark from 1927 to 1932.

On 24 December 1944, this Fallen Hero wrote a Christmas Eve letter to his son Robert telling him that he would be home next Christmas and the family would all be happy together again. Prior to his entry into the army,

Melvyn resided on Valley Road. Graves is Buried at the U.S. National Cemetery in Beverly, New Jersey.

About Russell W. Green

Green, Russell W., Pvt., Serial No. 42000833, U.S. Army, "Killed in Action" 26 April 1944 while serving in the Italian theatre of war on Anzio Beach, Italy.

Russell was inducted into the U.S. Army on 29 June 1943 and was assigned to Co. C, 135th Infantry of the 34th Infantry Division.

On that fateful date, at Anzio Beach, Italy, Russell's unit was attacking the German lines and came under intense mortar and artillery fire. During this attack, Russell was killed in action. He was just two days short of his 19th birthday and was in service for less than 10 months.

Prior to his death, Russell wrote two letters home to his family: both just days before his death. In the one dated 25 April 1944, the day before his death, he requests that his family send him chocolate candy.

This Fallen Hero grew up in Linden but is considered a Clark Fallen Hero because after he entered the service, his family moved to Raritan Road, thus becoming a Clark resident.

Green is buried at the U.S. National Cemetery in Beverly, New Jersey.

About Alvin Roy Grossman

Grossman, Alvin Roy, 2nd Lt. Serial No. 0803810, U.S. Army Air Corps, "Died in the Line of Duty", 14 June 1943 while conducting training exercises aboard a navigation training plane.

The Lieutenant had just earned his wings as an Army Pilot two weeks prior to his death.

Grossman is buried at the OHEB Sholem Cemetery in Hillside.

About Eugene F. Hutchinson

Hutchinson, Eugene F., TM3C, U.S. Navy, "Killed in Action" 7 November 1944 while serving aboard the USS Albacore (SS218). This submarine was sunk on its 11th patrol by mines off North Hokkaido Island, Japan. All hands were lost and is on "Eternal Patrol".

On 24 October 1944, Albacore left Pearl Harbor and arrived at Midway Island on 28 October to top off her fuel tanks and was never heard from again. On 7 November 1944, a Japanese patrol boat witnessed the explosion of a submerged submarine (presumed to be Albacore) and saw many items rise to the surface.

This Fallen Hero grew up in Florida, but married Clark resident Gertrude Amon and they moved to her parents' address on Westfield Avenue. His remains were not recoverable.

About Edward J. Makowski

Makowski, Edward J., 2nd Lt. Serial No. 0751919, U.S. Army Air Corps, "Killed in Action" 3 March 1944 while serving as a bombardier aboard a B24 Liberator. This hero was assigned to the 14th Air Force, 450th Bomb Group, 723rd Squadron.

This Fallen Hero, who resided on Lake Avenue prior to his entry into the Army Air Corps, was taxiing with his other crew members down the runway for takeoff when the plane suddenly braked to avoid takeoff and came to a halt past the end of the runway. The plane exploded and burst into flames with a full supply of fuel and bombs. All 10 crew members, including Edward were lost.

Makowski is buried at the U.S. National Cemetery, Beverly, New Jersey.

About Joseph G. Padusniak

Padusniak, Joseph G., Tech 5, Serial No. 32385995, U.S. Army, "Killed in Action" 18 December 1944 while serving with the 99th Infantry Division at the "Battle of the Bulge."

This surprise attack began on 16 December 1944, at 0530 hours, as 300,000 German troops, backed by artillery and hundreds of huge Panther, Mark IV, and new Tiger tanks struck along an 85-mile front.

On 18 December, the final day of Joseph's life, the Germans continued attacking and advancing. Elements of the 394th Infantry Regiment, Joe's units were attacked throughout the morning. On the third day of the battle, Joe was somewhere on the battlefield when he succumbed to inflicted wounds and gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country.

This Fallen Hero who resided on Westfield Avenue prior to his entry into the army, was killed along with 30,000 other American forces during this battle. Padusniak is buried in St. Mary's Cemetery in Clark, New Jersey.

About John L. Ruddy Jr.

Ruddy, John L., Jr., S2C, Serial No. 06464195. "Killed in Action" 13 November 1942 at the "Naval Battle of Guadalcanal" while aboard the U.S.S. Juneau.

On that fateful day, the Juneau was struck by torpedoes fired from the Japanese submarine 1,26 at 1100 hours and one of the torpedoes entered Juneau's ammunition magazines. When the smoke cleared, there was nothing to be seen of the Juneau. It is presumed that John was killed in action at this time.

This Fallen Hero, who resided on Prescott Tum prior to his entry into the Navy, was killed along with 900 other sailors aboard the Juneau that day and subsequently thereafter in the shark-infested waters. His remains were non-recoverable.

About Martin Schmitt

Schmitt, Martin, Cpl., Serial No. 32594212, U.S. Army, "Killed in Action" 30 November 1944 while serving with 102nd Infantry Division near Linnoch, Germany. Schmitt is buried overseas at the American Military Cemetery in the Netherlands.

This Fallen Hero grew up in Roselle Park, but married Clark resident Margaret Carlson who was his high school sweetheart. They lived on Westfield Avenue with Margaret's parents prior to his entry into the Army. When "Schmitt" Lane was selected for a new Clark street after the war, whoever ordered the street sign inadvertently misspelled this hero's last name. The street today remains "Schmidt" Lane.

About Joseph Witkowski

Witkowski, Joseph, PFC., Serial No. 12203849, U.S. Army, "Killed in Action" 9 July 1944, while serving with the 8th Infantry Division near St. Lo, France, during the Normandy breakout.

This Fallen Hero who resided on Hart Street prior to his entry into the Army was honored for his service along with fellow Clark Fallen Hero Joseph Padusniak by renaming a portion of Hart Street into Joseph Street. Witkowski is buried at St. Gertrude's Cemetery Colonia, NJ.