American Legion Post 50 SAL 50 New York USA
Captain Francis Edgar Haag, Jr. grew up at 20 Benedict Place, the son of Major Francis Edgar Haag of the
Army Signal Co rps who died in Sept. 1945 and Bertie Beverage. He attended junior high school in Pelham
then graduated from Canterbury Prep in CT and attended Rutgers University. He married the former Miss
Anna Louise Meyer (Crowley) of Greenwich, CT in April of 1943.
Haag trained at Clovis, NM and Topeka, KA. to fly the B24 Liberator bomber. As a 24 year old pilot, he flew in
the Pacific with General McArthur's Fifth Air Force. In 1943 and early 1944 he was in action near New Quinea.
During a raid on Salamaua, Lt. Haag was forced to pilot his bomber twice over the target area when he
discovered that 1,000 pounds of explosives were caught on the clamp and hanging from the ship.
During an attack on Rabaul, with the help of two other planes, his crew was able to shoot down eight Japanese
planes and damage two others in a thirty minute battle. Lt. Haag was able to help hold off 50 Japanese planes
from a friend's crippled bomber by circling over it while a third plane went for help making the rescue of the
downed crew possible.
Interviewed back home in Pelham in April of 1944, he described the incident,
"Three of us were the last to leave the target when my pal's engine was knocked out by the 50 Zero's waiting
around. Another friend and I dropped out of formation, and then the Japs really made for us. They finally got
my pal and he landed in the water. He and the co-pilot were killed but the other eight got out on their rafts."
Capt. Haag described that the second plane flew low over the crippled plane in the water, swinging back and
forth, trying to protect it from the concentrated attack of the enemy planes, "It was our gunners who saved the
day" described the Capt. "They really did a fine job with their accurate and steady aim".
Captain Haag was awarded the Army's Silver Star for his heroism that day,by Lieutenant General George C.
Kenney. He also was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
After the war he worked as a textile executive and stockbroker and lived in Greenville, SC. He was an original
inductee into the South Carolina Skeet Shooting Hall of Fame, chairman of the board of directors of St. Francis
Hospital and of St. Mary's Catholic Church. He died May 5, 2000 at age 80 while visiting Rome, Italy. He was
predeceased by his wife Anne Meyer Haag, and was survived by three children, Tracy H. McCarthy of Ruxton,
MD, Constance H. Johnston of Greenville, and Francis E. Haag III of Raleigh NC and four grandchildren.
Standard Star December 3, 1943 , January 25th and April 6, 1944 Ancestry.com (August 8, 2009)
First Lieutenant Robert Hardart of 150 Monterey Avenue, was a graduate of Iona Prep and of Fordham
College. He was the son of Augustin S. Hardart Sr., secretary of Horn & Hardart, the famous NYC "Automat"
operators.
On Christmas Eve 1944 the 23 year old engineer while serving with the Seventh Army was injured in
Strasbourg, losing his vision and right arm. He wrote a letter to his parents projecting a positive attitude about
the future despite his injuries, the letter was read in the Congressional Record. The Standard Star, January 16,
1945, April 23, 1945
Capt. Sylvester J. Hartig of 459 Pelhamdale Ave. Pelham Manor, served three years in the pacific in the
Guineas. He was discharged Oct. 15th 1945 and returned home to Pelham the same day. Capt. Hartig
practiced Medicine for 10 years, before entering the service, resumed his practice in Pelham Manor and
practiced for many years. Dr. and Mrs. Hartig had two children; Barbara Ann, age five, and Donald John, age
two as of 1945. "Dr. Slyvester Hartig Recieves Discharge" The Standard Star 10/29/45 (February 1, 2008)
Captain Peter Hemmenway US Army Air Forces lived at 474 Siwanoy Place the son of Mr. & Mrs. Laurence
Todd Hemmenway. He attended Bates College in Maine for two years before enlisting on April 29, 1942. He
trained to become a pilot and received his pilots wings in May 1943 at graduation exercises held at the Army Air
Force Gulf Coast Training Center's advanced flying school at Foster Field, Tex. He survived the war and lived
in Virginia at the time of his death in Dec 1982. The Standard Star June 4, 1943 (April 11, 2008)
Victor W. Henningsen Jr., served during World War II in the Atlantic, Mediterranean and Indian Ocean war
zones as a midshipman, third and second mate in the merchant navy, finishing as Lt. (JG) USNR. He regarded
service in North Atlantic convoys during the height of the Battle of the Atlantic as the most maturing experience
of his life.
Mr. Henningsen, died on March 26, 2007 at age 82, was a lifelong resident of the town and a major figure in
Pelham affairs for more than 50 years. Mr. Henningsen was a second-generation Pelhamite, his mother, Betty
Dillon Henningsen, having lived here since girlhood. Born on May 19, 1924, he lived with his family in North
Pelham and Pelham Heights before moving to Pelham Manor. Although he resided on the Esplanade for more
than 50 years, he always referred to himself as "an immigrant" to the Manor.
Mr. Henningsen attended the Pelham public schools, Phillips Academy in Andover, MA, the U.S. Merchant
Marine Academy and Yale University. An international leader in the poultry and egg industry, Mr. Henningsen
spent his entire professional career with the family business, Henningsen Foods Inc., founded by his
grandfather in 1889. He joined the business full time in 1950, rising to President and CEO in 1962 and retiring
in 1993. At the time of his death, he was the firm's Chairman Emeritus.
Mr. Henningsen was an active volunteer who believed deeply both in "giving back" in return for the benefits he
received and in "giving forward" so that others would benefit. The first person in his family to graduate from
college, he cared profoundly about education and served all of his alma maters in a number of volunteer
capacities. A longtime trustee of the Chapel of St. Thomas More at Yale University, he was a past trustee and
president of the Board of Trustees of Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, VA, a former president of the Yale
Club of New York City, and former president of the American Friends of the Bermuda Maritime Museum.
But his most enduring commitment was to the Town of Pelham and, particularly, to the Village of Pelham Manor.
Over the years he served as chair of the Pelham Community Chest (now United Way of Pelham), as a member
of the Village Planning Board, as trustee and mayor (1969-71) of the Village of Pelham Manor, and as co-
chairman of the Friends of the Pelham Town Library. He was also past chairman of the board of Sound Shore
Medical Center. At the time of his death he was still active in efforts to bridge political divisions and bring good
people together in service of the community he loved.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Mayde; his children and their spouses: Vic and Susan of Andover, MA; Kit
and Caroline of Stony Creek, CT; Mary and Chris Collins of Pelham Manor; Tim and Anne of Wexford, PA. He is
also survived by his brother, John T. Henningsen of Rye, and sister, Ann H. Kneisel, of Boston, MA. A Memorial
Mass was held on March 31 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Pelham Manor, NY.
Truman Hermansen and Winfred Hermansen were brothers of Second Lieutenant Norman Hermansen of
the Army Air Corps who died in Tennessee on June 9, 1943. Truman, who was Herman's twin brother was
commissioned and earned his wings on May 20, 1943. Shortly after his flight school graduation, Truman
married Elinor Alles of 5 Poplar Avenue, in a ceremony held at Douglas, Alabama. Their brother Winfred was
stationed at that time at the Naval Training Station in Sampson, NY. The Standard Star May 5, & June 10, 1943
Richard J. Hickock, was a six year veteran of the United States Air Force during the Vietnam Era. He was a
graduate of Pelham Memorial High School Class of 1966 and earned an engineering degree from the University
of Delaware. Known as "Dickie" to his friends, he died on January 4, 2006 in South Carolina. The Pelham
Weekly January 18, 2008 (January 22, 2008)
Eli Page Howard Sr. was a World War I Corporal with the Company H of the 807 Pioneer Infantry. He was born
on Christmas Day 1888 and lived for many years in Pelham. His son, Eli Page Howard, was an outstanding
athlete at Pelham Memorial High School and later a Lt. Col in the Army who was killed in the Vietnam War.
He died on July 24th, 1965 in Virginia and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Section 39 Site 1489.
His wife was later interred at the same gravesite, and his son Lt. Col. Eli Page Howard, Jr., who was killed in
Vietnam, in the row behind them.
Arlington Cemetery Website, Lt. Col Howard
Colonel James Creelman Huntley, USAF, was a second generation graduate of the United States Military
Academy, his father a member of the class of 1906. While attending Signal School, Col. Huntley was introduced
by classmate Don Vlcek to Bunny Nindeman of Pelham, New York at the Three Crowns restaurant. In January
1944, the couple were married.
His World War II assignments were in support of the Air Corps, commanding a signal company in the invasion of
Leyte. His WWII service took him, through a progression of islands including Oro Bay, Hollandia, Mindoro, Ie
Shima, Okinawa, Luzon, and, was part of the occupation forces in Tokyo. It took him a year to get home
because his services were deemed essential in the turbulence which followed the Japanese surrender. He
transferred to the Army Air Force in 1947, and spent the rest of his thirty years in the Air Force.
The Huntley's had two children, a daughter Deborah Kenney and a son Jeffrey. During repetitive assignments
to the Pentagon, they lived near Washington. Mrs. Huntley's favorite assignment was their tour in Belgium with
the Military Assistance Advisory Group. When they came back, he used to say she was, figuratively, still in
Belgium. But physically, they moved to Randolph Field, to United States Air Force Europe in Wiesbaden, and
finally to an assignment as Director for Administration of the United States Air Force Systems Command at
Andrews Air Force Base. In 1972, he retired after a career in which he had won the Legion of Merit, the Bronze
Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, and two Air Force Commendation Medals.
After retirement, his wife's health began to fail and Mr. Huntley increasingly devoted time to her welfare. Mrs.
Huntley died in May 1986. In turn, Jamie’s health began to fail, and in August, only three months after his wife,
he died of cancer. He is interred at Arlington National Cemetery.
Among his papers, Col. Huntley left some words of reflection on his life. He wrote, “Regardless of what people
say, military or civilian service in the Armed Forces is an honorable and worthwhile life. I would not have
changed my position in the service for any civilian position.... The most important assets in the military, now and
in the future, are its personnel. Machines can be replaced — life cannot.”
A USMA classmate wrote about him, "And so there left us an honorable man, born and brought up in service to
the country, who quietly did important work for the nation. He never complained at misfortune, nor lost his love
of family, country, and West Point. The nation has lost an asset, and we a loyal friend." Assembly, December
1987 United States Military Academy 1987, Ahttp://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/jchuntley.htm (Jan. 1 2008)
Lt. Stanley Hyman US Army Air Force, son of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Hyman of 18 Boulevard, was commissioned
at Turner Field, Albany, Georgia on Nov. 8, 1943. He completed the nine week postgraduate Army Air Forces
Training Command course to qualify to fly the B26 Marauder as first pilot and commander. The Standard Star
January 22, 1944 (August 8, 2009)
Roscoe C. Ingalls, a WWI veteran of the US Navy, went on to a distinguished career on Wall Street as a
partner in Ingalls and Snyder. Born in Englewood NJ in 1891 he graduated from Columbia in 1912. He
achieved the rank of Chief Petty Officer during his Naval Service. He died in 1969. The New York Times Nov.
22, 1969
Roscoe C. Ingalls, Jr, a graduate of Bowdoin in 1943, he went on to study at the US Naval Academy at
Annapolis MD. After Commissioning, he was assigned as a gunnery officer on the destroyer escort USS Lough
DE 586. He served on duty in both the Mediterranean and the Pacific. He stayed a member of the US Naval
Reserve until discharged in 1955. He went on to be named a partner at Ingalls and Snyder and worked on Wall
Street and in banking for his career while settling in Bronxville. He died in 2003. The New York Times Feb. 27,
2003
Col. William F. Ioris, US Air Force, grew up in the Bronx, NY; he enlisted in the US Army in February 1942
and joined the Infantry. Soon after he took qualified to be an air cadet and trained to be a bombardier/
navigator. He was commissioned a Second LT of the Army on February 18, 1943.
Col. Ioris's proficiency was recognized and he was placed in the category of "Distinguished Bombardiers" who
would serve as trainers which he did for two years. Then he was assigned to a B-17 "Flying Fortress" for six
months of training before anticipated deployment to Europe. Before he could be sent overseas, the best crews
were taken off the B-17s and Bill was assigned to fly the new B-29s.
While training in New Mexico in May'45, they were told not to fly over adjacent territory in White Sands. One day
they were astounded by the force of a nearby explosion, again they were told not to go near the source of the
explosion. When the atomic bomb was dropped on Japan in August, they understood what they had
witnessed. The end of the war meant that they would not be sent overseas. After a night of celebrating news of
the end of the war, the air crews were sent out on a training flight. Tragically, two planes crashed killing all the
crews. One crew member killed was from the Bronx so Bill escorted the casket home. Bill had the to make the
long trip by train staying in the car with the casket, this proved insightful as several train cars made an
unexpected separation passing through one city. He would have otherwise arrived home without the casket.
Col. Ioris served nine years active duty, then continued in the "Ready Reserves" for another 26 years for a total
of 35 years total service. In the reserves he served one weekend a month and one month per year. He
accumulated 1,100 flying hours, his last military assignment was with an intelligence unit. He retired from
military service on July 2, 1977. He earned nine Air Force decorations including: Meritorious Service Medal,
Air Force Commendation, Air Force Outstanding Unit (First war Time Information Squadron), American
Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Medal, and the Armed Forces Reserve
medal with two oak Leaf Clusters.
Following the end of his full-time military duties, Col. Ioris worked in law Enforcement, first as a New York State
Trooper, then with the New York City police force. He retired from the NYPD as a Lt, with 20 years service.
Additionally Bill worked or 15 years on security at the Clairol Bristal Myers manufacturing and research plant in
Stamford, CT. He even was hired by the government of Indonesia to help set up a security system at a steel
plant in that country.
Bill is the Father of four grown children, Bill, Brenda, Robert, and Elaine. He is a resident of Pelham.
Interview May 12, 2008
Captain Carl M. Jenter left for Europe on October 20, 1943 and served with the 5th Corps in France, Belgium,
Czechoslovakia and Germany. His parents, Mr. & Mrs. Martin Jenter lived at 590 East Third Street in Mt.
Vernon. His wife is the former Adelle Ingalls, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Fred W. Ingalls of 620 Pelhamdale
Avenue. The couple had a daughter Carol age four when Capt. Jenter was discharged in December 1945.
Standard Star October 20, 1945 (February 22, 2008)
Frank Stanley Jones was born in Massachusetts but grew up in Pelham. He was good friends with Eugene
Evans and Tim Howard, two outstanding PMHS athletes of the early 1940s who would go to play on a
championship football team at Morgan State and military careers of theri own.
"Stanley" as he was known to his friends left PMHS in 1941 with a number of other students to join the military.
He went to basic training in St. Louis and was assigned to the 1895th Engineer Aviation battalion. There was an
engineering background in Mr. Jones, family, two of his uncle’s had worked as mechanics at the Quincy
shipyard just outside of Boston which had built some of the Navy’s largest ships.
His unit was sent to the Florida Everglades for several months of advanced training in the skills they would need
to build military airfields in the Pacific. When they broke the camp in Florida to head west, they drove their
equipment across the country to the state of Washington. Stanley’s battalion sailed from Washington State to
Hawaii where they had another six months training. The unit was sent by landing craft to the area off shore from
Quam, an island in the pacific west of Hawaii that US Marines and Army would invade. Once the island was
mostly secured, the 1895th Battlion was landed and sent to the north shore to start construction of an airfield
and all that was needed to accommodate hundreds of the B29 bombers which were then under construction.
In early 1945 after the airfields were in use, he was assigned to guard duty on Tinian. There he witnessed
history as a guard for the B29 Enola Gay before its historic flight to drop the Enola Gay.
Stanley went on to a career as a chef working at several area restaurants before joining Trans World Airlines as
an Executive Chef. In 1979 Chef Jones prepared a meal for Pope John-Paul II during his trip to the United
Stats. Mr. Jones was a member of a culinary team which competed internationally in Europe and Japan. He
and his wife Edna live in North White Plains.
31
In 2007, World War II veteran Frank “Stanley” Jones, received his diploma as a member of the class of 1943
during the Pelham Memorial High School holiday concert on December 20th. The presentation was made by
Principal Jeannine Clark in front of the entire student body which gave him a standing ovation. The senior class
president named Mr. Jones an honorary member of the class of 2008.
Charles F. Junod, Jr., served in the US Navy during WWII. The graduate of the Hill School and Princeton
University in 1933, he married Elizabeth Isabel Donaldson a native of 507 The Esplanade in Pelham in 1938.
The couple had three children Joseph, Charles III, and John.
He became a sales executive of the Pfizier Inc., in 1962, after the Ben-Gay Company of which he was an
executive was bought. Previously he had been an executive of the William Este Advertising Agency. He served
on the Planning Board of Pelham and as a governor of the Pelham Country Club. He died of a heart attack at
New Rochelle Hospital in December 1975 at age 64. His brother Robert survived him. His wife Elizabeth I.
Junod served as President of the Junior League of Pelham in 1941. The New York Times February 2, 1941,
December 7, 1975 (February 18, 2008)
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