Military Service of Pelham Veterans

American Legion Post 50 SAL 50 New York USA

Technical Sergent Edward Frank Carafa, was a highly decorated soldier of WW II having served in the South
Pacific and later for eighteen months in Italy as a Master Tech Sgt. of the 10th Mountain Division.   He was
recognized for an incident near the end of WWII in Italy in which he rescued several badly injured soldiers from a
battlefield. One soldier was a young Lt. he thought was named Bob Doyle. He was a past Commander of New
Rochelle Post 439, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the USA and often participated in events of American Legion Post
50 in Pelham.

A life long resident of New Rochelle, Mr. Carafa was born on May 6, 1921 in New Rochelle, to the late Arthur
Joseph Carafa and Julia Del Torto. His family lived at 3 Biehn Street. He graduated from New Rochelle High School
and was an assistant manager of the Savoy Import Company. His National Guard unit was one of the first to be
called up to active duty in October 1941.

Frank was sent to the Pacific soon after the Pearl Harbor attack and served there with 165th Infantry for two years
earning five stars on his campaign ribbon. On one occasion while stationed at Midway Island, he volunteered to be
a gunner on a bomber crew. He served on one mission defending the Island during the milestone Battle of Midway,
then decided to keep his feet on the ground. "In the air, their are no trees to hide behind", in describing his role
late in life. He returned home and joined the 10th Mountain Division to train for winter fighting. His unit was
assigned to Italy and he served there for 18 months often without an officer in charge. Twice he was seriously
injured.

Frank Carafa worked for the County of Westchester for more than 40 years. He married Josephine Gallello on April
14, 1945, who died in 1989. Mr. Carafa died on October 30, 2005 at age 84.He was also predeceased by his
second wife Pauline Lorusso Carafa. Surviving him are his sons Edward F. Carafa Jr., and his wife Joanne, Frank
Joseph Carafa and his wife LeaAnne, and his brother Ernest Carafa, and sisters Louise Paglianti and Clara
Kopyscianski. He was predeceased by two brothers, Joseph and Arthur (Chic) Carafa, and two sisters, Mary
Loscalzo and Nancy DiDonato.

Sgt Carafa's wake was attended by many veterans and Sen. Robert Dole. His funeral mass was held at Blessed
Sacrament Church in New Rochelle with interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in New Rochelle. Standard Star Feb.
'45, May 8, 1945 Journal News (Jan. 5, 2008)

Lt. Col. Cyril Carmichael US Army was a captain with the Canadian Grenadlier Guards in World War I. He
married the former Edith Nichols and the couple lives at 314 Pelhamdale Avenue, in Pelham. They had two sons,
Frederick and Thomas N. Before reentering the service, Col. Carmichael managed international finance with the
firm of Tobery and Kirk Company, New York City.

During WWII as a Major, he served as base commander of the Rapid City Army Air Base, in South Dakota. On July
4, 1943 members of the newly formed 447th Bomb Squadron arrived at Camp Rapid to begin bomber training. The
Camp Rapid training command taught the young flight crews of the Heavy Bombardment Groups to amalgamate
strength and to give all personnel training in use of Air Corps weapons, to stress military discipline and bearing and
to instill the "going to war" spirit into the minds of the crews.

Major Cyril Carmichael, post commander, ordered formal Retreats three days a week. A description of the camp
discipline, "At these times the drill practice of the men and the command and formation courses pursued by the
officers produced the smartest sort of military appearance.   Enlisted men and officers alike entered into a
commando training routine of close order drill, calisthenics and body building exercises and training with rifle and
pistol. Reveille sounded at 0430 each morning and by 0700 every man and officer was engaged in strenuous
activity.

Carmichael went overseas as the executive officer of a 15th Air Force bomber group. To understand what his fliers
were going through on missions, Lieutenant Colonel Carmichael, although not a flying officer, decided to see first-
hand what a bombing mission is like and went on six missions. After the war, the colonel told in an interview at the
redistribution station in Atlantic City, how he "Suddenly became a gunner during a mission over Merhmigin,
Germany.   Attacked by enemy places his B-17 had one extra gun position because it was carrying a passenger,
and he took it over."

“Not a Jerry came anywhere hear my position”, he said, “So I missed my only chance to do what I’ve wanted since
the war began—shoot one of them down. But, perhaps I should be thankful that they didn’t. Of the five ground
officers who went along on that mission it observe enemy flak guns I was the only one to come back.”

Col. Carmichael was awarded the Air Medal and Bronze Star Medal, the British War Medal, the Allied War Medal
and Polish Order. http://www.447bg.com/library/pichist/history.html
(April 4, 2008)

Thomas N. Carmichael, grew up at 314 Pelhamdale Avenue. He attended Lawrenceville Prep in NJ and
graduated from Princeton University in 1942. At Princeton he was a member of the ROTC program and
immediately after graduation he entered the service as a Second Lieutenant. He was stationed at Fort Bragg, NC
until he was sent overseas in Sept. 1942.

Lt. Carmichael served in the WWII invasions of North Africa and then Italy. He was badly wounded in action
February 17th, 1944 at the Anzio beachhead south of Rome, Italy, and sent to a hospital in North Africa. His father
was a Lt. Col in the US Army Air Forces. Standard Star April 11, 1944.
(Nov. 16, 2007)

Corporal James Caruso, was the father of five children when he volunteered for military service at age 39 in
November 1942. Before enlisting he was employed by the Village of Pelham Manor and lived at 441 Second
Avenue in Pelham.

In early May 1944, Mrs. Caruso received a cable from her husband stating that he was ill and staying in an Italian
hospital. Corporal Caruso had been stationed with an anti-air balloon barrage division in Italy. The Standard Star
May 5, 1944. (February 12, 2006)

Felix V. Cavaliere was named a First Lieutenant by the War department as of February 1944. The Standard Star
February 16, 1944. (February 23, 2008)

Jean Doris Costello, US Navy, was a member of the WAVES. She was a Lt (j.g.) at the time of her wedding to
Ensign William Burnap Jordan the 3rd Navy Air on July 22, 1944. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.
George Costello of Redding CT, and Pelham Manor, NY. The wedding took place in the chapel of St. Thomas
Episcopal Church with the Rev. Harold E. Towne officiating.

She was presented to society at the Westchester Cotillion in 1939 and was a member of the Junior League of
Pelham. She graduated from the Emma Willard School and in 1942 from Vassar College. Ensign Jordan
graduated from the Hotchkiss School and Yale University in 1943.   The New York Times July 23, 1944

Robert A. Cremins, a life long resident of Pelham, during World War II, Mr. Cremins served from 1943-1946 and
was the Commanding Officer of the 85 foot P440 Air Sea Rescue Vessel with the Fifth Air Force in the Philippine
Theater of War. During his time in the service, he held the rank of Warrant Officer. He was twice Commander of
the American Legion Post No. 50. In 1927-1928 he pitched for the Boston Red Sox.

Mr. Cremins was born February 15, 1906, was educated in Pelham, graduated from Pelham Memorial High School
and later the Grand Central Art School in NYC. An artist, Mr. Cremins was self-employed. In 1935 he married
Gertrude Beigan at St. Catherine's Church in Pelham, NY.

He was elected to the Westchester County Board of Supervisors in November 1964 and served on the Internal
Affairs Committee and the Public Service Committee. Legislator Cremins was elected eight times as Receiver of
Taxes for the Town of Pelham (January 1, 1932 - December 31, 1964). He was a member of the Knights of
Columbus No. 4413 of Pelham, Westchester Association of Retarded Children, Men's Club of Pelham, Art Students
League, Holy Name Society of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Chairman, Blood Banks of American Legion and
the Holy Name Society of Municipal Employees. From 1970-1971, Mr. Cremins was a cartoonist for Philadelphia
Evening Bulletin and also designer of boxing ring canvases for boxing events across the country. In 1982 he was
elected to the Westchester Sports Hall of Fame.

Mr. Cremins was survived by his three daughters, Margaret, Patricia and Michele; his four grandchildren, Joseph,
Anthony, Christina and Robert. He was predeceased by his wife, Gertrude; his two sisters, Sheila and Margo; his
four brothers, Anthony, Larry, James and Joseph. Journal News
(Nov. 17, 2007)

Col. Robert H. Christie lived at 17 Pine Avenue in Pelham with his wife Mrs. Katherine M. Christie and three
children Katherine, Elizabeth and Robert Jr.

In May 1928, he was commissioned in the Adjunct General Department as a member of the Reserve Corps. Called
up to active service in 1933 and went to serve in the North Africa and Italian campaigns of WWII. He went overseas
on April 9, 1943 and was promoted to Colonel on March 9, 1944. On April 2, 1945 it was announced that Col.
Christie had been appointed adjunct general of the Peninsular Base Headquarters in Italy.

Col. Christie was recognized with the American Theater Ribbon, the Mediterranean Theater of Operations
Campaign Ribbon, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Crois des Services Militaires Volontaires and the Order
of Nichan-Iftikhar.   Journal News April 2, 1945   (February 20, 2008)

First Lieutenant William J. Corbett, was the son of Mr. and Mrs. William H. Corbett of 548 Third Avenue, North
Pelham.

The 24-year-old lieutenant, was taken prisoner July 23, 1944 at St. Lo. following the Normandy invasion, where he
served with the infantry and where most of his company was wiped out. He was interned at Osling 64 in Poland until
the Russians came in January. The Germans then began to move the camp and started the prisoners on a 300-
mile march to Germany to escape the Russians. During the second night of the march Lieutenant Corbett
accompanied by two other soldiers made a getaway and for two months they hiked through Poland and Russia to
Odessa. The Russians were able to give them only little assistance on the way as all their energies were spent in
pushing back the Germans and the three soldiers had to make their long their way to safety. In Odessa the
Americans took care of them, and in April the lieutenant sailed from Naples for home.

He spend a 60-day leave at home after which he reported to Asheville, N.C. where he spent two weeks. From
Asheville he was sent to Fort Dix, N.J. where he was discharged through the 1262nd Separation Center after three
years in the service and 13 bombs in the European theater.
The Standard Star July 10, 1945   (April 4, 2008)

Eugene P. Cullen, Sr. enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942 while attending Iona College. He attended the V-12 Navy
program at Union College and Midshipman school at Columbia. He served in the South Pacific - Leyte Gulf -
Okinawa. He also served 1950 to 1951 during the Korean Conflict - at Inchon -Wonson. He was discharged as a
Lieutenant.

Lt. Cullen passed away on Tuesday evening, March 27, 2007. A Pelham resident as an adult, he was raised in
Larchmont, NY. He was president and owner of E.P. Cullen & Co., a real estate and contracting firm, for over forty
years. He was a life member of the New York Athletic Club, a member of the Society of the Friendly Sons of St.
Patrick -Westchester County and the Old Timer's Athletic Association of Larchmont. The loving husband of Muriel
M. Hanley and the devoted father of Colleen Powers, Eugene, William, Arthur and Peter Cullen. The dear brother
of John Cullen, Gertrude Duff Williams, the late Rita Macken, Joseph Cullen, Eileen Tiernan and Edward Cullen. He
is interred at Gates of Heaven Cemetery.

Capt. Oscar P. Damm USA, was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Hans Damm of Pelham. He married Hertha Tarpgaard of
Mt. Vernon on May 28th 1944 at the home of the bride's parents at 78 Beekman Avenue. Alfred Damm was best
man for his brother. The New York Times May 29, 1944 (January 13, 1944)

Ensign Eleanor M. Darby, USN, was commissioned as a US Navy Ensign through the "Wave" program at
ceremonies held at Naval Midshipman's School at Northhampton, MA on May 4, 1943. She was the wife of Dr. Hugh
N. Darby, of 110 Washington Avenue, Pelham Manor, and the daughter of Mrs. Lottie M. Kapp, of Fore Pierce, FL,
and Pelham Manor. She is a graduate of Barnard College and completed her Ph'd in biochemistry at Columbia.
Prior to joining the Navy, she was a research assistant in the Dept. of Dermatology in the College of Physicians and
Surgeons. She did research for many years at the medical Center in New York. The Standard Star May 5, 1943.
(April 27, 2008)

Major Frank DeCarlo, US Army Air Forces, of 103 Wolf’s Lane went to India in 1942 with the US Army Air
Forces Transport Command as a Captain and two years later was promoted to Major.   His wife received news of
the promotion in January 1944 while living at 103 Wolf's Lane with a 19 month old son Frank Douglas Jr.   The
Standard Star January 22, 1944 (August 8, 2009)

Cpl. Charles A. DeFillipo, of 88 Fourth St. North Pelham, was an military policeman with the 17th Airborne Div.
during WWII.   He left a temporary position with the North Pelham Police Department to join the service in February,
1944.

Cpl. DeFillipo’s glider outfit saw duty in England, France, Germany, and Belgium, and has the Presidential Unit
Citation. His unit fought with the Infantry, in the Battle of the Bulge Bulge, went to the relief at Bastogne, and took
the town of Wessel. DeFillipo was with the 82nd Airborne Div. in the occupation of Berlin. A graduate of Pelham
Memorial HS, where he was a member of the football and baseball teams.   He received his discharge in October of
1945 and resumed his position with the North Pelham Police Dept.,

Charles DeFillipo had two brothers in the service, CPL. Joseph DeFilllipo, and Seaman Second Class Michael
DeFillipo Jr.,USN, who served in Saipan.   Their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Michael DeFillipo, lived at 139 Sixth Street,
North Pelham. "DeFillipo To Return To Police Dept." The Standard Star    10/29/45 (February 2, 2008)

Lt. Col. James Ciro DiGiacomo, moved to Pelham in 1932 and lived at 155 Monterey Avenue, he was a veteran
of World War One who re-entered the service in August 1942 and worked with the "Termination Division" in New
York City. A graduate of Columbia University, he was a tax consultant to New York City. His promotion to to Lt. Col.
was announced in February 1944. His younger son Robert attended Staunton Military Academy in VA. His son
Richard was killed in action as a US Marine on his fourth island invasion at Iwo Jima in 1945. Standard Star
February 16, 1944 (Dec. 1 2007)

Robert Duane Dills, USNR, received his commission at the Midshipman's School at Columbia University in July
1943. A native of Pelham Manor, he was a graduate of Amherst College. His engagement to Jean Henderson
Palmer of New Rochelle and Bennington, VT was announced on June 20, 1944 while he was serving in the Pacific.
The New York Times, June 21, 1944 (January 13, 2008)

John Henry Doherty, M.D., served at sea as a U.S. Navy medical officer in 1951. He died at age 73 in 1999. Born
March 28, 1926 to Frank Doherty and Marie Ormsby of Mt. Vernon, he attended Mt. St. Michael's High School,
Bronx, Holy Cross College and New York Medical College. On June 24, 1950, he married Ann Marie Healey.   He
was chief of the orthopedic section at the Veterans Administration Hospital, Bronx from 1956-1963. Dr. Doherty
was attending orthopedic surgeon at the Hospital for Special Surgery from 1963-1991. He was associate professor
of orthopedic surgery at Cornell University Medical College.

He is survived by seven children, Jack Doherty of Pelham, James Doherty of New Rochelle, Kathleen Burpee of
Pelham, Richard Doherty of Dallas, TX, Diane Conover of Southport, CT, Mary Jo McGuire of Mamaroneck and
Thomas Doherty of Ramsey, NJ; and 14 grandchildren. Journal News (Nov. 17, 2007)

Robert G. Donaldson, Royal Canadian Air Force, a Pelham Manor resident of 507 Esplanade, he was taken
prisoner of war in Europe. This news was announced on February 10, 1945. He was freed at the end of the
European war. The New York Times February 11, 1945 (February 10, 2008)

Robert Dowling, was a veteran of the Vietnam War and a member of American Legion Post 50. A resident of
Pelham Manor, he died on November 17, 2006. Mr. Dowling was formerly a partner of Techcom Systems in
Larchmont before retiring in 2005.

He was survived by his sons: Keith (Gina) Dowling of Melville, NY and Kevin (Libby) Dowling of Ludlow, MA. He was
also survived by two sisters, Nancy (Hank) Keating and Mary Jane McCormick; his two bothers, Thomas (Mary)
Dowling and Brian (Jackie) Dowling. He was the son of the late Thomas and Margaret Dowling. A funeral Mass was
be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church and he was interred at Calverton National Cemetery. Journal News
(Nov. 17 2007)

Staff Sgt. William M. Doyle USAAF, served during WWII for more than a year in France, as a radio operator on
an air troop carrier.   He was recognized with the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, and four battle stars on his
European Theater of Operations Ribbon.

The son of Mr. and Mrs. John F. Doyle, of 31 Second Ave. Pelham, he was discharged from the Army Air Forces on
October 20, 1945. He is a graduate of Pelham Memorial High School and attended New York University. He was a
draftsman in New York, before entering the service in 1942. The Standard Star Sgt. William Doyle Receives
Discharge 10/20/45 (February 2, 2008)

Private William J. Dunsmore, Jr. was 19 years old when he completed a parachute drop into Belgium on Jan. 6,
1945.   He suffered frozen feet and hands from the jump. He was returned to a base hospital in England where he
was unable to wear shoes or get around without pain. He was included in a list of 1,928 soldiers injured in action
released in early March of that year. Overseas for six months, he went through basic training at Camp Croft, SC,
and was trained for jumping at Fort Benning, Georgia.

Dunmore was the son of Mr. & Mrs. W.J. Dunsmore of 494 Siwanoy Place. He played on the hockey team at
Pelham Memorial High School. He was a member of the AIE fraternity. The Standard Star March 2, 1945

Kneeland Durham lived at 59 Linden Avenue, the son of Mr. & Mrs. Kneeland Durham Sr. A PMHS graduate, he
joined the military after his 1943 graduation from Clarkson College of Technology in upstate NY. Durham was
stationed at George Field in Illinois in mid-1945 and was promoted to First Lieutenant prior to being transferred to
the Troop Carrier Command at Topeka Kansas. The Standard Star October 26, 1945 (March 8, 2008)

Joseph E. Durnin, Sr, served during World War II as a United States Naval Aviator. He served in Texas, Indiana
and Pensacola Florida.   His flying skills were so well respected that he was named a flight instructor. One of his
Marine pilot students was a baseball player from Boston. Ted Williams. Many years later, Ted Williams signed a
picture for Mr. Durnin, with the comment,"You taught me everything I knew".

A retired airline and travel industry executive, Mr. Durnin was born August 31, 1915 in Mauch Chunk, PA, the town
later changed its name to Jim Torpe, PA. His parents were the late Bernard C. and Emily (Reed) Durnin. He
graduated summa cum laude from St. Francis College, Loretto, PA. On July 10, 1943 he married Catherine Boyle.

Mr. Durnin was employed for 28 years by Trans World Airlines as Director of Military and Government Sales. Upon
retirement from TWA, he was Director of Industry Affairs for the American Society of Travel Agents. He was a
parishioner of St. Catharine‘s Church, Pelham. He was a member of the Holy Name Society, Life Member of the
Knights of Columbus, and member of the Westchester County Genealogical Society. In addition to his wife, he is
survived by his children; Michael, Joseph Jr, Kathleen Navilio, Patricia Pierce, Maureen Williams, and Peter. He
died at his home in Pelham at age 84 and is interred at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

Joseph E. Durnin Jr. served in the US Military during the Vietnam period from 1967 to 1970. After basic training
at Fort Gordon, GA he went to Fort Holdibaird in Baltimore MD for further training. Assigned to Military Intelligence,
he was taught Japanese at the State Department's School of Language at Fort Myers which is located at Arlington
National Cemetery in Virginia.   Joe then spent fifteen months in Japan serving in military intelligence roles. (March
8, 2008)

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