William F. Malone, served in the Army Air Corps from August 1942 to November 1945 attaining the rank of
Sergeant. He was a member of the American Legion Pelham Post 50 where he was a Past Commander.
Mr. Malone was an active member of the Pelham Manor Volunteer Fire Department and past Captain, he died
on June 21, 2003 at age 81. Mr Malone was born on September 15, 1921 in New York City to James and Mary
Kiernan Malone. He graduated from Cathedral Prep in Manhattan. On August 25, 1946, he married Florence
Coyle at St. Jean the Baptist Church in New York City. After his marriage, he lived in the Bronx for a year before
moving to Pelham Manor. For the past 18 years he worked for the Village of Pelham Manor as a Code
Enforcement Officer. Before that he was a Sales Manager for B. Sessler & Co. in Manhattan. Mr. Malone is
survived by his daughter and son-in-law Anne Kathryn and Hugh Rice; three grandchildren Brian, Megan and
Patrick all of New Rochelle and a sister Lorraine Malone of the Bronx. His wife Florence predeceased him in
1989. He was Interred at Flushing Cemetery, Queens, NY.
Daniel P. "Buddy" Maloney, served in the United States Armed Services from 1954-56 in the United States
and Germany. He was a member of American Legion Post 50 Pelham. A 36 years resident of Pelham Manor,
NY he died November 17, 1999.
Mr. Maloney was born June 26, 1932 in Mount Vernon, NY to Daniel C. and Mary Reilly Maloney. He attended
Sacred Heart School, Mount Saint Michael Academy and graduated from Fordham University in 1954. He was an
entrepreneur and owner of RonLane Corp., Century 21 Maloney Realty and Classic Appraisals Corp. He had
previously been an executive with Cott Beverage and Nabisco.
He married Elaine F. George on June 26, 1954 at Sacred Heart Church in Mount Vernon, NY. He was survived
by his wife, Elaine F. Maloney, a daughter, Lanie Flanagan and son-in-law, Bob, two sons, Ronald D. Maloney
and Bobby Maloney and daughter-in-law, Julie, his mother, Mary C. Maloney, two sisters, Mary T. Tiso and
Kathleen McClure, grandchildren, Caitlin and Dan Flanagan and Erin Maloney. He is interred at Beechwoods
Cemetery.
Chief Patrick Mancuso was a member of the Pelham Memorial High School, he went to work at a munitions
factory in Connecticut.
Right after Pearl Harbor he joined the Navy and was assigned to unit which would train to work at Pearl Harbor
rebuilding the ships that had been sunk or damaged in the December 7th attack. After three months training in
California, Pat went to Pearl Harbor and helped to salvage and rebuild the great battleships and other damaged
ships. He scrapped metal from the superstructure of the blown up USS Arizona. He searched four decks down
into the hull of the heavily damaged USS West Virginia to find remains of crew members who had succumbed
within the hull in the days following the attack.
After the war, Pat accepted an opportunity to join the Army and participated in Honor Guard duties at Arlington
National Cemetery. He returned to Pelham and worked his way up to the position of Fire Chief of Pelham Manor.
while raising a family and often coaching Pelham youth sports teams. Interview December 6, 2007
PFC Raymond W. Maney, of 4564 Boston Post Road, was discharged from WWII duty at Fort Dix, NJ on
October 26, 1945. The Standard Star October 29, 1945 (February 22, 2008)
Leslie H.Manning served in the Pacific during WWII. Liberty ships he sailed on were twice torpedoed on the
way to Philippines. After the war he completed a degree at Iona College. He was a member of Post 50 and
served as Commander in late 50's or early 60's. His wife Wenonah was a member of the Auxiliary.
The family lived at 120 3rd Street until 1960 and then at 345 7th Ave. In 1966 the family moved to upstate town
of Cincinnatus,NY. CDR Manning passed away in 1974 at Cincinnatus and is buried in a private plot on the
property. His family received his WWII Purple Heart issued posthumously. Mrs. Manning passed away in
Paducah, Kentucky in 2008, ashes interred in Cincinnatus alongside her husband. The couple had three
surviving children, Eileen Manning Preston (1962 grad PMHS, Hamlin, NY); Leslie B. Manning (1964 grad PMHS,
Cerrillos, NM); and Doreen Manning Gates (Boaz, KY) (Dec. 11, 2008)
Robert W. Marshlow, served during World War II, in the Pacific Command as a Military Intelligence Officer
during the occupation of Japan, and later served in the U.S. Army Reserves. He is past Commander of
American Legion Pelham Post 50. He died at age 78 in 2001.
Born in Buffalo, NY, Mr. Marshlow graduated from Harvard University and received a law degree from the
University of Michigan. He started a law practice in Buffalo, was elected Town Justice of Tonowanda, NY, later
working in the New York State Executive Department as Counsel to the Office for Local Government. He moved
to Pelham in 1965 and became a partner in the New York law firm of Willkie, Farr and Gallagher, specializing in
municipal finance. He retired from full-time practice in 1987. Long active in civic affairs, he served as Village
Attorney, Trustee and then Mayor of the Village of Pelham. He served as former President of the Project
Family Soup Kitchen in Mount Vernon, and was a member of Huguenot Memorial Church where he served as an
elder. He is survived by three daughters, Melinda Mooney, Robin Marshlow and Melanie Minella, all of Westport,
CT, a sister, Carole Tassie of Sarasota, FL. A memorial service was held at Huguenot Memorial Church in
Pelham on July 31, 2001. Journal News (Nov. 17, 2007)
Roger B. Martin was named a First Lieutenant by the War department as of February 1944. The Standard
Star February 16, 1944. (February 23, 2008)
Alexander McAliley lived at 530 Pelhamdale Avenue, the son of Mr. & Mrs. Alexander McAliley. He was a
graduate of the Pawling School and was in his second year at Dartmouth when he entered the military on Jan.
28, 1943. He was commissioned in August 1943 and graduated from the military school for administrative
officers at Camp Barkley, Texas. His sister Agnes married Lt Howard S. Tuthill of the US Navy who served two
years in the South Pacific and then was assigned to the Department of the Navy in Washington DC. The
Standard Star April 19, 1944
Technical Sergeant Thomas P. McCaffrey, of 12 Beattie Lane in New Rochelle, was the son of Pelham
Manor Police Chief and Mrs. James McCaffrey. A graduate of New Rochelle High School, he was employed by
Arnold Constable’s before joining the Army Air Forces. He received training in Florida, Illinois, and Washington,
before going overseas. He served as a Gunner and Radio Operator, on a B-17 Flying Fortress. With 25 combat
missions over Europe, he is the holder of the Distinguished Flying Cross, and three Oak Leaf Clusters on his Air
Medal. Sgt. McCaffrey, at age 22, had been in the service, two and a half years, He was based in England for
seven months with the Eighth Air Force.
The Sergeant's two brothers also served in the Armed Forces: Sgt. Edward McCaffrey, with an amphibious
trucking company, in the Pacific Theater, and Lt. James McCaffrey , stationed with a field artillery unit in
Oklahoma. The Standard Star April 21, 1944 (March 19, 2008)
Sergeant Charles G. McCartney USA, was a WWII member of the Second Battalion, 87th Division, 375th
Infantry. He was a veteran of the Battle of the Bulge and was awarded Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts. On
January 14, 1945 he turned 19 years old. Several days later he was wounded near St. Viph, France.
A member of American Legion Post 50 and long time resident of Pelham. He died at age 80 on June 2, 2005.
He was married for 54 years to Joan Maust McCartney, and was the father of John, Mary, Drew, Ray and Margie
and grandfather of Charlie, Madeleine, Sam, Lauren and Liam. He was a graduate of Cornell University and an
executive in the coal industry. Journal News June 5, 2005 (Feb. 3, 2008) (51EIJM)
Lt. Col. Charles F. McKenna 3rd. USAAF, was the son of Mr. & Mrs. Charles F. McKenna of 124 Lorraine
Avenue, Mt. Vernon. He was a graduate of the Davis High School and Fordham University, where he was
second in his ROTC command for 1938. After graduation he spent a year in the coast artillery before
volunteering for flight school.
In August 1939 he joined the Army Air Corps and trained at Randolph and Kelly Fields in Texas earning his
wings on May 14, 1940. On June 15, 1940, he married to the former Virginia Pearson daughter of Mr. & Mrs.
Edward Pearson of Wolf's Lane in Pelham. The couple had two children Jo Ann and John. They were residents
of 1 Storer Avenue in North Pelham during WWII.
Promotions came quickly, McKenna was named a first lieutenant in Dec. 1940, a captain in 1940, and a major in
1943. The 6' 2" inch pilot was assigned to North Africa in Feb. 1944 and in March was flying B24 Liberator
bombers over targets in Yugoslavia. He was named a Lt. Col. in April of that year completing 50 missions as a
pilot in his first tour in the Mediterranean Theatre of the war. He also flew many more missions as a navigator,
bombardier, and gunner. He came back to the US for a few months rest back including time in Pelham in
September 1944. Soon after, he volunteered for a second tour flying bombers across Europe.
On Dec. 17, 1944, his flew his first mission back as a volunteer while the bomber unit he was to command was
still being assembled. The 29 year old pilot, lead a formation whose target was the huge industrial city of
Bleckheimer in Germany.
On January 2, 1945, Mrs. McKenna received a telegram that her husband was a prisoner of war in Germany.
The information was passed from the International Red Cross. On Feb. 3rd, she learned that Lt. Col. McKenna
was prisoner of war at Stalog Luft 1 in Barth, Germany. On February 26th, he was able to make a shortwave
radio broadcast from the camp to his wife, "I am well, please do not worry".
Virginia received a telegram from her husband on May 16th, that he was in Paris and was "trying to be home by
June 1st." He wanted to be home for his daughter's fourth birthday on June 12th and the couple's fifth wedding
anniversary on June 15th. He was able to fly home for a joyous homecoming and both events.
Lt. Col. McKenna was able to fly home from Europe and returned to his North Pelham home at 1 Storer Avenue
on May 23, 1945. He described to reporters at his homecoming the Dec. 17th 1944 incident in which his plane
was shot down,
"It was my first mission of my second tour. We had lost a couple of engines and were forced to turn back south
of Vienna, just 20 minutes away from the target. We had no power in the engines, and were flying low to the
ground, apple pie for gunners to knock out. They did it all right. We were hit in the bomb bay and the plane
burst into flames."
McKenna was blown from his exploding plane and landed by parachute over Hungary and survived five months
in a German prison camp. Despite his experiences, he was volunteering and ready to fly in the Pacific. A
veteran of 55 missions, he was the recipient of two Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Air Medals, and his unit
was awarded Presidential Citations. Standard Star June 23, 1943 January 12, 1945, February 5, 1945, May 17,
1945; May 23, 1945 (February 18, 2008)
Lt. (JG) Charles Anderson McLeod USN was a self described "90 Day Wonder" who served as a navigation
officer on the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid in the Pacific for two years during WWII. The native of Albany, NY
was a 1938 graduate of Princeton University where he was a member of the Quadrangle Club. He graduated
from the Harvard Business School prior to joining the Navy.
Lt. McLeod married Jean Knight Phillips originally from Waterbury CT at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church on
February 2, 1946. The couple settled in Pelham Manor where "Andy" McLeod served a term as Mayor. He
went on to a career in banking with Chemical Bank. The New York Times February 3, 1946
Lt. Francis J. McNamara, Jr USAAF: was a member of the 24th class of aviation cadets to graduate from the
Columbus Army Air Field in Columbus, Mississippi. The native of Plymouth Street in Pelham Manor, entered
flight school in April of 1943 and previously trained at Douglas Georgia and Cochran Field also in Georgia.
Standard Star April 26, 1944 (January 18, 2008)
Jerry J. Mele USN grew up in Yonkers and was a graduate of Saunders High School. He joined the Navy and
was a sailor on the submarine USS Blackfin (SS-322) at age 18, the youngest guy on the boat.
BLACKFIN arrived at Pearl Harbor on September 11, 1944. During her war operations lasting from 30
September 1944-5 to September 1945 she completed five war patrols. Her operating areas included the South
China and Yellow Seas. On November 1, 1944 Blackfin torpedoes and sinks the Japanese troop transport
Unkai Maru and the Japanese auxiliary vessel Caroline Maru west off Mindoro in the Philippines.
BLACKFIN sank the Japanese destroyer SHIGURE, on January 24, 1945 in Gulf of Siam, 160 miles east of
Khota Bharu, Malaya (06 N, 103-48 E). The SHIGURE had been in near constant action during WWII having
participated in battles of Coral Sea, Midway, Philippine Sea, and was the only surviving ship from its task force at
Leyte Gulf.
On March 28, 1945 the BLACKFIN is on patrol off the south-east coast of French Indochina and in pursuit of a
Japanese convoy, when damaged by depth charges. The war patrols Jerry served on lasted several months
each. Sometimes they would be positioned to pick up downed fliers. The ship set a record for detonating the
most mines, which they would shoot with rifles.
The termination of hostilities occurred while BLACKFIN was on her fifth war patrol. After occupying a life guard
station and destroying 61 floating mines, she retired to Guam, arriving in Apra Harbor 5 September 1945. After
receiving voyage repairs and fuel she proceeded to San Diego where she joined Submarine Squadron 1. The
BLACKFIN received three battle stars for her World War II service.
Jerry came home to live in Pelham and had a career as a science teacher at Pelham Memorial High School. He
was the co-grand marshall of the 2002 and 2003 Pelham Memorial Day Parades Interview (March 4, 2008).
http://www.ussubvetsofworldwarii.org/ss_submarines/ss322.htm
http://www.combinedfleet.com/shigur_t.htm
http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/3068.html
Pictures of USS Blackfin History of IJN Shigure
Robert R. Moberg, was a veteran of the Navy having served from 1951 through 1954. He was awarded the
purple heart while serving as a corpsman with the First Marine Division in Korea. He died Monday, August 9,
2004 at age 71.
Born on March 24, 1933 in Mt. Vernon, NY, the son of the late Robert A. and Minna (Secor) Moberg, he
graduated from Pelham Memorial High School in 1950. On October 10, 1958, Robert married Barbara Rock in
Pelham, NY and they moved to Mahopac in September 1964. Mr. Moberg was a retired oil burner mechanic
having worked for Fee Oil Company in New Rochelle, NY. Mr. Moberg was a past commander and life member
of VFW Post 5491 of Mahopac, a member of the American Legion Post 1080 of Mahopac and of the Disabled
American Veterans (DAV). In addition to his wife, he is survived by their children: Edward of Holmes, NY; Kristine
Garay of LaGrangeville, NY and Robert of Mahopac; His sister, Jeanne predeceased him.
Ellis Oglesby Moore, US Army. Was a private at time of his engagement to Peggy Ann Sorrells in early June
of 1944. Private Moore attended Washington and Lee University. His father was the head of the Francis Moore
Music Center and a pianist and composer. Mrs. Moore attended Dunstan Hall in Washington and Finch Junior
College In New York. The New York Times June 4, 1944. (January 4 2008)
Lt. Commander Dudley W. "Mush" Morton, was one of the most famous submarine officers of WWII, as
commander of the USS Wahoo, he received the Navy Cross from Admiral Chester W. Nimitz for sinking a
destroyer, a Gold Star in lieu of a second Navy Cross for sinking eight ships on another patrol, later a third star,
and the Army Distinguished Service Cross conferred by General Douglas MacArthur for a patrol against the
Japanese Harbor at Wewak.
Morton was born in Owensboro, Kentucky on July 17, 1907. He went to the Miami High School in Florida and
entered the US Naval Academy where he was a wrestler and a four year football player and member of the class
of 1930. He was assigned to the new cruiser USS Chicago where he served until ordered to the navy
Submarine School at New London, CT. He went on to serve on USS Canopus, the submarine S-37, Uss
Fairfax, and the sub R-5. He was assigned to the Gato class submarine, USS Wahoo (SS-238) on November 2,
1942 and assumed command at the end of December.
At Wewak, the Wahoo was down to its last torpedo and used it to sink a Japanese destroyer. Soon after the
Wahoo sank two freighters, a transport and a tanker. On another patrol the Wahoo sank eight more ships and
returned to port with a broom tied to its mast to indicate a "Sweep of the convoy". The Wahoo earned a
Presidential Citation for its outstanding combat performance. The thirty-six year old Commander Morton was
credited with sinking at least 19 Japanese ships during 1943.
The Army Distinguish Service Cross issued by General MacArthur read in part: "For extraordinary heroism in
action in the southwest Pacific Area during the period January 24-26, 1943; Commander Morton's daring
leadership, indomitable fighting spirit and brilliant tactical ability reflected the greatest credit on himself, the
Wahoo and the United States Navy.
The Wahoo was last heard from when it left Midway Island on Sept. 13, 1943. It is believed that the Wahoo was
sunk on Oct. 11, 1943 in the La Perouse Strait between Japan and Russia by a combination of bombs dropped
from airplanes and depth charges. The Wahoo was credited with sinking four Japanese ships during its last
fateful cruise and Morton was posthumously awarded a fourth Navy Cross. In 2006 the submarine was found by
Russian divers.
Naval Historian Theodore Roscoe describe Morton as "An undersea ace", with "Few skippers equaled Morton's
initiative, and none had a larger reserve of nerve. Combining capability with dynamic aggressiveness, Morton
feared nothing on or under the sea."
His widow, the former Harriet Nelson from DeKalb, IL, son Douglas N. and sister Edwina R. moved to Pelham in
1949. Harriet remarried and Doug became very active in Boy Scouts in Pelham achieving the rank of Eagle
scout. At PMHS, he was a home room and 1957 class mate of Michael Schwern, the civil rights worker who was
killed in Mississippi as part of the "Mississippi Burning" incident. (March 23, 2008)
The New York Times December 1, 1943.
http://ussmorton948.org/newsletter.html
http://www.oneternalpatrol.com/wahoo-navy-release.htm
Photos and history USS Wahoo
John B. Mulliken, lived at 128 Reed Avenue, the son of Mr. & Mrs. Harry B. Mulliken. He was a graduate of
PMHS and the University of Michigan. He worked for the Open Stair Dwelling Company in New York. He joined
the military in on December 12, 1942.
During WWII he was stationed in New Guinea for a year then Manila in the Philippines for six months. He
returned from the Pacific on September 20, 1945. The Standard Star October 26, 1945 (March 8, 2008)
Lawrence l. Musto was a graduate of Pelham Memorial High School. He and his wife Mrs. Helen Cioffoletti
Musto, lived at 31 Cliff Street. Prior to joining the military, he was in business in Bridgeport, CT. Corporal Musto
went through basic training at Camp Edwards, Mass., then was stationed at Camp Gordon Johnson in FL with an
amphibious unit. The Standard Star April 12, 1944
22
Sergeant. He was a member of the American Legion Pelham Post 50 where he was a Past Commander.
Mr. Malone was an active member of the Pelham Manor Volunteer Fire Department and past Captain, he died
on June 21, 2003 at age 81. Mr Malone was born on September 15, 1921 in New York City to James and Mary
Kiernan Malone. He graduated from Cathedral Prep in Manhattan. On August 25, 1946, he married Florence
Coyle at St. Jean the Baptist Church in New York City. After his marriage, he lived in the Bronx for a year before
moving to Pelham Manor. For the past 18 years he worked for the Village of Pelham Manor as a Code
Enforcement Officer. Before that he was a Sales Manager for B. Sessler & Co. in Manhattan. Mr. Malone is
survived by his daughter and son-in-law Anne Kathryn and Hugh Rice; three grandchildren Brian, Megan and
Patrick all of New Rochelle and a sister Lorraine Malone of the Bronx. His wife Florence predeceased him in
1989. He was Interred at Flushing Cemetery, Queens, NY.
Daniel P. "Buddy" Maloney, served in the United States Armed Services from 1954-56 in the United States
and Germany. He was a member of American Legion Post 50 Pelham. A 36 years resident of Pelham Manor,
NY he died November 17, 1999.
Mr. Maloney was born June 26, 1932 in Mount Vernon, NY to Daniel C. and Mary Reilly Maloney. He attended
Sacred Heart School, Mount Saint Michael Academy and graduated from Fordham University in 1954. He was an
entrepreneur and owner of RonLane Corp., Century 21 Maloney Realty and Classic Appraisals Corp. He had
previously been an executive with Cott Beverage and Nabisco.
He married Elaine F. George on June 26, 1954 at Sacred Heart Church in Mount Vernon, NY. He was survived
by his wife, Elaine F. Maloney, a daughter, Lanie Flanagan and son-in-law, Bob, two sons, Ronald D. Maloney
and Bobby Maloney and daughter-in-law, Julie, his mother, Mary C. Maloney, two sisters, Mary T. Tiso and
Kathleen McClure, grandchildren, Caitlin and Dan Flanagan and Erin Maloney. He is interred at Beechwoods
Cemetery.
Chief Patrick Mancuso was a member of the Pelham Memorial High School, he went to work at a munitions
factory in Connecticut.
Right after Pearl Harbor he joined the Navy and was assigned to unit which would train to work at Pearl Harbor
rebuilding the ships that had been sunk or damaged in the December 7th attack. After three months training in
California, Pat went to Pearl Harbor and helped to salvage and rebuild the great battleships and other damaged
ships. He scrapped metal from the superstructure of the blown up USS Arizona. He searched four decks down
into the hull of the heavily damaged USS West Virginia to find remains of crew members who had succumbed
within the hull in the days following the attack.
After the war, Pat accepted an opportunity to join the Army and participated in Honor Guard duties at Arlington
National Cemetery. He returned to Pelham and worked his way up to the position of Fire Chief of Pelham Manor.
while raising a family and often coaching Pelham youth sports teams. Interview December 6, 2007
PFC Raymond W. Maney, of 4564 Boston Post Road, was discharged from WWII duty at Fort Dix, NJ on
October 26, 1945. The Standard Star October 29, 1945 (February 22, 2008)
Leslie H.Manning served in the Pacific during WWII. Liberty ships he sailed on were twice torpedoed on the
way to Philippines. After the war he completed a degree at Iona College. He was a member of Post 50 and
served as Commander in late 50's or early 60's. His wife Wenonah was a member of the Auxiliary.
The family lived at 120 3rd Street until 1960 and then at 345 7th Ave. In 1966 the family moved to upstate town
of Cincinnatus,NY. CDR Manning passed away in 1974 at Cincinnatus and is buried in a private plot on the
property. His family received his WWII Purple Heart issued posthumously. Mrs. Manning passed away in
Paducah, Kentucky in 2008, ashes interred in Cincinnatus alongside her husband. The couple had three
surviving children, Eileen Manning Preston (1962 grad PMHS, Hamlin, NY); Leslie B. Manning (1964 grad PMHS,
Cerrillos, NM); and Doreen Manning Gates (Boaz, KY) (Dec. 11, 2008)
Robert W. Marshlow, served during World War II, in the Pacific Command as a Military Intelligence Officer
during the occupation of Japan, and later served in the U.S. Army Reserves. He is past Commander of
American Legion Pelham Post 50. He died at age 78 in 2001.
Born in Buffalo, NY, Mr. Marshlow graduated from Harvard University and received a law degree from the
University of Michigan. He started a law practice in Buffalo, was elected Town Justice of Tonowanda, NY, later
working in the New York State Executive Department as Counsel to the Office for Local Government. He moved
to Pelham in 1965 and became a partner in the New York law firm of Willkie, Farr and Gallagher, specializing in
municipal finance. He retired from full-time practice in 1987. Long active in civic affairs, he served as Village
Attorney, Trustee and then Mayor of the Village of Pelham. He served as former President of the Project
Family Soup Kitchen in Mount Vernon, and was a member of Huguenot Memorial Church where he served as an
elder. He is survived by three daughters, Melinda Mooney, Robin Marshlow and Melanie Minella, all of Westport,
CT, a sister, Carole Tassie of Sarasota, FL. A memorial service was held at Huguenot Memorial Church in
Pelham on July 31, 2001. Journal News (Nov. 17, 2007)
Roger B. Martin was named a First Lieutenant by the War department as of February 1944. The Standard
Star February 16, 1944. (February 23, 2008)
Alexander McAliley lived at 530 Pelhamdale Avenue, the son of Mr. & Mrs. Alexander McAliley. He was a
graduate of the Pawling School and was in his second year at Dartmouth when he entered the military on Jan.
28, 1943. He was commissioned in August 1943 and graduated from the military school for administrative
officers at Camp Barkley, Texas. His sister Agnes married Lt Howard S. Tuthill of the US Navy who served two
years in the South Pacific and then was assigned to the Department of the Navy in Washington DC. The
Standard Star April 19, 1944
Technical Sergeant Thomas P. McCaffrey, of 12 Beattie Lane in New Rochelle, was the son of Pelham
Manor Police Chief and Mrs. James McCaffrey. A graduate of New Rochelle High School, he was employed by
Arnold Constable’s before joining the Army Air Forces. He received training in Florida, Illinois, and Washington,
before going overseas. He served as a Gunner and Radio Operator, on a B-17 Flying Fortress. With 25 combat
missions over Europe, he is the holder of the Distinguished Flying Cross, and three Oak Leaf Clusters on his Air
Medal. Sgt. McCaffrey, at age 22, had been in the service, two and a half years, He was based in England for
seven months with the Eighth Air Force.
The Sergeant's two brothers also served in the Armed Forces: Sgt. Edward McCaffrey, with an amphibious
trucking company, in the Pacific Theater, and Lt. James McCaffrey , stationed with a field artillery unit in
Oklahoma. The Standard Star April 21, 1944 (March 19, 2008)
Sergeant Charles G. McCartney USA, was a WWII member of the Second Battalion, 87th Division, 375th
Infantry. He was a veteran of the Battle of the Bulge and was awarded Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts. On
January 14, 1945 he turned 19 years old. Several days later he was wounded near St. Viph, France.
A member of American Legion Post 50 and long time resident of Pelham. He died at age 80 on June 2, 2005.
He was married for 54 years to Joan Maust McCartney, and was the father of John, Mary, Drew, Ray and Margie
and grandfather of Charlie, Madeleine, Sam, Lauren and Liam. He was a graduate of Cornell University and an
executive in the coal industry. Journal News June 5, 2005 (Feb. 3, 2008) (51EIJM)
Lt. Col. Charles F. McKenna 3rd. USAAF, was the son of Mr. & Mrs. Charles F. McKenna of 124 Lorraine
Avenue, Mt. Vernon. He was a graduate of the Davis High School and Fordham University, where he was
second in his ROTC command for 1938. After graduation he spent a year in the coast artillery before
volunteering for flight school.
In August 1939 he joined the Army Air Corps and trained at Randolph and Kelly Fields in Texas earning his
wings on May 14, 1940. On June 15, 1940, he married to the former Virginia Pearson daughter of Mr. & Mrs.
Edward Pearson of Wolf's Lane in Pelham. The couple had two children Jo Ann and John. They were residents
of 1 Storer Avenue in North Pelham during WWII.
Promotions came quickly, McKenna was named a first lieutenant in Dec. 1940, a captain in 1940, and a major in
1943. The 6' 2" inch pilot was assigned to North Africa in Feb. 1944 and in March was flying B24 Liberator
bombers over targets in Yugoslavia. He was named a Lt. Col. in April of that year completing 50 missions as a
pilot in his first tour in the Mediterranean Theatre of the war. He also flew many more missions as a navigator,
bombardier, and gunner. He came back to the US for a few months rest back including time in Pelham in
September 1944. Soon after, he volunteered for a second tour flying bombers across Europe.
On Dec. 17, 1944, his flew his first mission back as a volunteer while the bomber unit he was to command was
still being assembled. The 29 year old pilot, lead a formation whose target was the huge industrial city of
Bleckheimer in Germany.
On January 2, 1945, Mrs. McKenna received a telegram that her husband was a prisoner of war in Germany.
The information was passed from the International Red Cross. On Feb. 3rd, she learned that Lt. Col. McKenna
was prisoner of war at Stalog Luft 1 in Barth, Germany. On February 26th, he was able to make a shortwave
radio broadcast from the camp to his wife, "I am well, please do not worry".
Virginia received a telegram from her husband on May 16th, that he was in Paris and was "trying to be home by
June 1st." He wanted to be home for his daughter's fourth birthday on June 12th and the couple's fifth wedding
anniversary on June 15th. He was able to fly home for a joyous homecoming and both events.
Lt. Col. McKenna was able to fly home from Europe and returned to his North Pelham home at 1 Storer Avenue
on May 23, 1945. He described to reporters at his homecoming the Dec. 17th 1944 incident in which his plane
was shot down,
"It was my first mission of my second tour. We had lost a couple of engines and were forced to turn back south
of Vienna, just 20 minutes away from the target. We had no power in the engines, and were flying low to the
ground, apple pie for gunners to knock out. They did it all right. We were hit in the bomb bay and the plane
burst into flames."
McKenna was blown from his exploding plane and landed by parachute over Hungary and survived five months
in a German prison camp. Despite his experiences, he was volunteering and ready to fly in the Pacific. A
veteran of 55 missions, he was the recipient of two Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Air Medals, and his unit
was awarded Presidential Citations. Standard Star June 23, 1943 January 12, 1945, February 5, 1945, May 17,
1945; May 23, 1945 (February 18, 2008)
Lt. (JG) Charles Anderson McLeod USN was a self described "90 Day Wonder" who served as a navigation
officer on the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid in the Pacific for two years during WWII. The native of Albany, NY
was a 1938 graduate of Princeton University where he was a member of the Quadrangle Club. He graduated
from the Harvard Business School prior to joining the Navy.
Lt. McLeod married Jean Knight Phillips originally from Waterbury CT at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church on
February 2, 1946. The couple settled in Pelham Manor where "Andy" McLeod served a term as Mayor. He
went on to a career in banking with Chemical Bank. The New York Times February 3, 1946
Lt. Francis J. McNamara, Jr USAAF: was a member of the 24th class of aviation cadets to graduate from the
Columbus Army Air Field in Columbus, Mississippi. The native of Plymouth Street in Pelham Manor, entered
flight school in April of 1943 and previously trained at Douglas Georgia and Cochran Field also in Georgia.
Standard Star April 26, 1944 (January 18, 2008)
Jerry J. Mele USN grew up in Yonkers and was a graduate of Saunders High School. He joined the Navy and
was a sailor on the submarine USS Blackfin (SS-322) at age 18, the youngest guy on the boat.
BLACKFIN arrived at Pearl Harbor on September 11, 1944. During her war operations lasting from 30
September 1944-5 to September 1945 she completed five war patrols. Her operating areas included the South
China and Yellow Seas. On November 1, 1944 Blackfin torpedoes and sinks the Japanese troop transport
Unkai Maru and the Japanese auxiliary vessel Caroline Maru west off Mindoro in the Philippines.
BLACKFIN sank the Japanese destroyer SHIGURE, on January 24, 1945 in Gulf of Siam, 160 miles east of
Khota Bharu, Malaya (06 N, 103-48 E). The SHIGURE had been in near constant action during WWII having
participated in battles of Coral Sea, Midway, Philippine Sea, and was the only surviving ship from its task force at
Leyte Gulf.
On March 28, 1945 the BLACKFIN is on patrol off the south-east coast of French Indochina and in pursuit of a
Japanese convoy, when damaged by depth charges. The war patrols Jerry served on lasted several months
each. Sometimes they would be positioned to pick up downed fliers. The ship set a record for detonating the
most mines, which they would shoot with rifles.
The termination of hostilities occurred while BLACKFIN was on her fifth war patrol. After occupying a life guard
station and destroying 61 floating mines, she retired to Guam, arriving in Apra Harbor 5 September 1945. After
receiving voyage repairs and fuel she proceeded to San Diego where she joined Submarine Squadron 1. The
BLACKFIN received three battle stars for her World War II service.
Jerry came home to live in Pelham and had a career as a science teacher at Pelham Memorial High School. He
was the co-grand marshall of the 2002 and 2003 Pelham Memorial Day Parades Interview (March 4, 2008).
http://www.ussubvetsofworldwarii.org/ss_submarines/ss322.htm
http://www.combinedfleet.com/shigur_t.htm
http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/3068.html
Pictures of USS Blackfin History of IJN Shigure
Robert R. Moberg, was a veteran of the Navy having served from 1951 through 1954. He was awarded the
purple heart while serving as a corpsman with the First Marine Division in Korea. He died Monday, August 9,
2004 at age 71.
Born on March 24, 1933 in Mt. Vernon, NY, the son of the late Robert A. and Minna (Secor) Moberg, he
graduated from Pelham Memorial High School in 1950. On October 10, 1958, Robert married Barbara Rock in
Pelham, NY and they moved to Mahopac in September 1964. Mr. Moberg was a retired oil burner mechanic
having worked for Fee Oil Company in New Rochelle, NY. Mr. Moberg was a past commander and life member
of VFW Post 5491 of Mahopac, a member of the American Legion Post 1080 of Mahopac and of the Disabled
American Veterans (DAV). In addition to his wife, he is survived by their children: Edward of Holmes, NY; Kristine
Garay of LaGrangeville, NY and Robert of Mahopac; His sister, Jeanne predeceased him.
Ellis Oglesby Moore, US Army. Was a private at time of his engagement to Peggy Ann Sorrells in early June
of 1944. Private Moore attended Washington and Lee University. His father was the head of the Francis Moore
Music Center and a pianist and composer. Mrs. Moore attended Dunstan Hall in Washington and Finch Junior
College In New York. The New York Times June 4, 1944. (January 4 2008)
Lt. Commander Dudley W. "Mush" Morton, was one of the most famous submarine officers of WWII, as
commander of the USS Wahoo, he received the Navy Cross from Admiral Chester W. Nimitz for sinking a
destroyer, a Gold Star in lieu of a second Navy Cross for sinking eight ships on another patrol, later a third star,
and the Army Distinguished Service Cross conferred by General Douglas MacArthur for a patrol against the
Japanese Harbor at Wewak.
Morton was born in Owensboro, Kentucky on July 17, 1907. He went to the Miami High School in Florida and
entered the US Naval Academy where he was a wrestler and a four year football player and member of the class
of 1930. He was assigned to the new cruiser USS Chicago where he served until ordered to the navy
Submarine School at New London, CT. He went on to serve on USS Canopus, the submarine S-37, Uss
Fairfax, and the sub R-5. He was assigned to the Gato class submarine, USS Wahoo (SS-238) on November 2,
1942 and assumed command at the end of December.
At Wewak, the Wahoo was down to its last torpedo and used it to sink a Japanese destroyer. Soon after the
Wahoo sank two freighters, a transport and a tanker. On another patrol the Wahoo sank eight more ships and
returned to port with a broom tied to its mast to indicate a "Sweep of the convoy". The Wahoo earned a
Presidential Citation for its outstanding combat performance. The thirty-six year old Commander Morton was
credited with sinking at least 19 Japanese ships during 1943.
The Army Distinguish Service Cross issued by General MacArthur read in part: "For extraordinary heroism in
action in the southwest Pacific Area during the period January 24-26, 1943; Commander Morton's daring
leadership, indomitable fighting spirit and brilliant tactical ability reflected the greatest credit on himself, the
Wahoo and the United States Navy.
The Wahoo was last heard from when it left Midway Island on Sept. 13, 1943. It is believed that the Wahoo was
sunk on Oct. 11, 1943 in the La Perouse Strait between Japan and Russia by a combination of bombs dropped
from airplanes and depth charges. The Wahoo was credited with sinking four Japanese ships during its last
fateful cruise and Morton was posthumously awarded a fourth Navy Cross. In 2006 the submarine was found by
Russian divers.
Naval Historian Theodore Roscoe describe Morton as "An undersea ace", with "Few skippers equaled Morton's
initiative, and none had a larger reserve of nerve. Combining capability with dynamic aggressiveness, Morton
feared nothing on or under the sea."
His widow, the former Harriet Nelson from DeKalb, IL, son Douglas N. and sister Edwina R. moved to Pelham in
1949. Harriet remarried and Doug became very active in Boy Scouts in Pelham achieving the rank of Eagle
scout. At PMHS, he was a home room and 1957 class mate of Michael Schwern, the civil rights worker who was
killed in Mississippi as part of the "Mississippi Burning" incident. (March 23, 2008)
The New York Times December 1, 1943.
http://ussmorton948.org/newsletter.html
http://www.oneternalpatrol.com/wahoo-navy-release.htm
Photos and history USS Wahoo
John B. Mulliken, lived at 128 Reed Avenue, the son of Mr. & Mrs. Harry B. Mulliken. He was a graduate of
PMHS and the University of Michigan. He worked for the Open Stair Dwelling Company in New York. He joined
the military in on December 12, 1942.
During WWII he was stationed in New Guinea for a year then Manila in the Philippines for six months. He
returned from the Pacific on September 20, 1945. The Standard Star October 26, 1945 (March 8, 2008)
Lawrence l. Musto was a graduate of Pelham Memorial High School. He and his wife Mrs. Helen Cioffoletti
Musto, lived at 31 Cliff Street. Prior to joining the military, he was in business in Bridgeport, CT. Corporal Musto
went through basic training at Camp Edwards, Mass., then was stationed at Camp Gordon Johnson in FL with an
amphibious unit. The Standard Star April 12, 1944
22
American Legion Post 50 SAL 50 New York USA
| History of Pelham Veterans. M |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |