American Legion Post 50 SAL 50 New York USA
Donn R. Quinn of 1076 Hunter Avenue was one of 53 Westchester County residents to receive a State War
Service Scholarship. The grant was announced on August 30, 1946. The grant based on scores of an
examination provide up to $350 per year for up to four years to pay for tuition at any recognized college or
trade school in New York State. The New York Times August 31, 1946. (April 12, 2008)
Francis S. Quinn was in combat nine consecutive months with the 636th Tank Destroyer Battalion and led a
naval shore fire control party in first wave of D-Day. His brother William H. Quinn was killed in action in Belgium
on Jan. 15th. Standard Star Jan 31, 1945 (12/1/2007)
Joseph M. Ragosta, DDS was a veteran of the Vietnam War, serving as a US Army dentist in Fort Knox, KT.
A long-term resident of Pelham Manor, he died on January 12, 2008. The Pelham Weekly January 18, 2008
(January 22, 2008)
John W. "Jack" Rennau, was a World War II Army veteran, having served as Field Artillery First Lieutenant in
the European Theater. A Longtime resident of Pelham Manor, he died November 9, 2001.
Born May 20, 1910 in New York City, Mr. Rennau worked on Wall Street for more than 50 years, starting in
1926 after his graduation from DeWitt Clinton High School. An accomplished speedskater he was a finalist for
the 1932 Olympic Team.
During WWII he joined the Army on April 8, 1943 serving in the US Army as a first lieutenant in the Field
Artillery, and spent much of the war in Georgia and Oklahoma, teaching math related to artillery positioning. He
was assigned to the 791st field Artillery Battalion, aunit which fired 8 inch howitzers. They sailed for Europe
arriving on March 5, 1945. Mr. Rennau served in France, Belgium, and Germany returning to the USA on
August 19, 1945. He was awarded the European-African - Middle Eastern Service medal, the American
Theater Service Medal, and the World War II Victory medal.
Mr. Rennau was a municipal bond salesman and partner at Loeb Rhoades and Co., and moved to Pelham
Manor in 1947, Mr. Rennau was a member of the School Board, for many years a volunteer fireman, and was a
parishioner of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. An avid sportsman, he excelled at speed skating, golf,
downhill skiing, and diving. He later competed at the age of 67 in all four events of the Senior Olympic Speed
Skating Event held at Lake Placid. He was survived by his wife of 55 years, the former Alma Schmieg; four
children Nancy Rennau Tumposky of Montclair, NJ, Susan Rennau of Salt Lake City, UT, Stephen Rennau of
Waitsfield, VT and John Rennau of Somerville, MA; and five grandchildren. (Mar. 24, 2010)
Ralph L. A. Rhodes, USN was born in New York City January 6, 1916 and grew up in Pelham. He joined the
US Navy during WWII and became a pilot. During the Battle of Leyte Gulf on October 25th he made a heroic air
attack on the Japanese fleet, most likely the giant Japanese battleship Musashi which was sunk that day by the
repeated attacks by American naval airplanes. Rhodes was recognized with the Navy Cross, the top award for
valor second only to the Medal of Honor. The citation read:
"The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ralph L. A. Rhodes,
Lieutenant, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as
Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber in Bombing Squadron SEVEN (VB-7), embarked from the U.S.S.
HANCOCK (CV-19), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Sulu Sea in the Philippine Islands, during
the Battle of Leyte Gulf on 25 October 1944. Flying to extreme range from his carrier against major units of the
fleet in the Philippine Islands area, Lieutenant Rhodes pressed home his attack despite intense
anti-aircraft fire in utter disregard of his own safety and scored a direct hit on an enemy battleship. His courage
and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval
Service."
Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 339 (June 1945)
http://www.homeofheroes.com/valor/1_Citations/03_wwii-nc/nc_06wwii_navyR.html
(February 28, 2008)
Major Clifford T. Rogers USA served as Chief of Staff for the 2nd Air Disarmament Wing in England, France,
Germany, Czechoslovakia, and the Balkans, for two years, and was in Air Intelligence during the Invasion of
France, gathering secret information, and weapons of the enemy.
Major Rogers first entered the service, as a reserve officer in 1925, and volunteered to reenter the armed
forces in 1940. He brought back with him a German rifle, which a German Sniper fired at him four times,
missing each time. The Major and a companion spotted the sniper in a church tower, rushed the tower, and
killed the sniper. He had 151 pts of service credits when he returned home. The Major earned the Soldiers
Medal of Valor, The Presidential Citation, the Croix de Guerre, the Bronze Star, and four battle stars. He was
the advertising manager for the magazine of the National Association of Credit Men before volunteering for
WWII. He returned home to Pelham in October of 1945 and lived at 999 Grant Avenue in Pelham Manor.
Major Clifford Rogers On Terminal Leave. The Standard Star 10/29/45 (February 2, 2008)
Adolph V. Russillo, served in the United States Navy during World II and was a member of American legion
Post 50. He died on Monday, June 11, 2001 at age 85. A resident of the Village of Pelham for much of his life,
Mr. Russillo graduated from St. Catharine‘s School and Pelham Memorial High School and pursued a lifelong
profession in the field of Law Enforcement. A career law enforcement officer, Mr. Russillo rose through the
ranks of the North Pelham Police Department and retired as Chief of the Department in 1974 after 34 years of
service to the Village. From 1974 to 1981 Mr. Russillo served as Chief Inspector of Government Installations,
Security and Personnel for the General Services Adminstration of the United States with responsibility for
government facilities in New York and New Jersey as well as Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.
Mr. Russillo was survived by his wife, Frances; two sons A. Peter and his wife Barbara of Pelham, NY, and
Robert V. and his wife Brenda of New Rochelle, NY; and six daughters Jacqueline (Mrs. Daniel) Shea of
Oceanside, NY; Teresa (Mrs. George) Gallo of Pelham, NY; Elizabeth (Mrs. Anthony) Nardozzi of Chadds Ford,
PA; Noel (Mrs. Terrence) Bopp of Pelham, NY; Frances (Mrs. Robert) Currie of Cheyney, PA; and Patricia (Mrs.
Michael) Mandato of Alpharetta, GA, as well as 29 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Mr. Russillo
was survived by two brothers, Michael P. of Redington Beach, FL and Alfred G. of Hedgesville. He is interred
at the Cemetery of Our Lady of Sorrows, Finch Hill, Carbondale, PA. A Memorial Mass was celebrated at St.
Catharine‘s Church, Pelham, on June 30, 2001. Journal News (Nov. 17, 2007)
John H. Sasser, was inducted into the US Army on May 3rd of 1943 on a special basis. He left for basic
training at Camp Upton, on Long Island during the first week of May 1943. The Standard Star May 3, 1943
First Lieutenant Roy W. Scott lived at 24 Garden Road in Pelham Manor. He was awarded the Distinguished
Flying Cross in November 1943, the citation read:
"For heroism in flight and exceptional and outstanding accomplishment in the face of great danger above and
beyond the line of duty."
The award was announced by Lt. General George C. Kenney, Commander of the Allied air forces in the
Southwest Pacific. The Standard Star November 29, 1943
Lieutenant Mark L. Sherman, of 107 107 Ancon Avenue, was a member of the football and track teams at
Pelham Memorial High School. He went on to study at Norwich Military Academy. He entered military service on
October 1, 1942.
Sherman became a navigator on a B-24 and flew 35 missions as a navigator from Italy against targets in
Europe. He was stationed overseas for six months returning in February 1945. He was stationed in Texas
before his discharge in October 1945. Lt. Sherman was awarded the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters
and five Battle stars.
The Standard Star October 26, 1945. (March 8, 2008)
Robert E. Shevlin, USN was the son of Mr. and Mrs. George J. Shelvin of 457 Siwanoy Place. He attended
Pelham Memorial H.S.and graduated from New Rochelle Prep. School, and went on to be a manager at Howard
Johnson's. Robert entered the Navy on Nov. 12, 1942, and completed two tours of duty as an aviation
machinists mate second class. In June 1945 he was transferred to the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise where he
was a gunner on a fighter plane. He came to the country on the Enterprise and was discharged from the
service in the fall of 1945 after the Japanese surrender. Standard Star 10/31/45 (February 1, 2008)
Dr. Paul Skudder, a long-time resident of Pelham, he entered the U.S. Army in 1943 prior to his completion of
high school. He served through WWII as an enlisted man in the European Theatre, where he was assigned to
the Army 16th General Hospital. Moved by this hospital experience, he graduated from New Rochelle High
School in 1946, and Middlebury College in 1949 and then entered Cornell University Medical College in New
York City.
Upon graduation, he served at Cornell and at New York-Presbyterian Hospital almost without interruption for the
following 56 years, as an intern, resident, attending surgeon and faculty member. His contributions included
directing the fracture service for many years, support for emergency room care and for tetanus prevention and
cancer surgery. He continued to work at the cancer research unit until 2005.
Dr. Scudder was born in Surbiton, England, and accompanied his family to New Rochelle at the age of two. He
died on June 24, 2006 in New Rochelle at age 82 years old. He was survived by his wife Elizabeth Jayne
Skudder, and by five children (Paul Jr., Christopher, Meg, Eileen and Beth) and 11 grandchildren. He was
predeceased by his first wife of 32 years, Margaret Youmans Skudder. The Funeral Mass was celebrated at
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. Pelham Weekly. (January 6, 2007)
Description of 16th general Hospital in France
Jennings T. Smith, was a member of the Armed Forces during the during the Korean conflict, served as
Pelham Manor Mayor from 1974-75, he died in 2007 in Irving, Texas, at age 78.
Born April 25, 1929 in Greensboro, NC, Mr. Smith was a a resident of Pelham Manor from 1961 to 1990. He
served for 15 years as acting Village Justice with criminal jurisdiction over felony hearings, misdemeanors,
traffic offenses and certain civil litigation. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Flor A. Smith; his two
daughters, Kathryn Ryan of The Woodlands, TX, and Cinda Koehler of Doylestown, PA; and four grandsons.
Mr. Jennings attended college in Washington, DC, and held an A.B. in accounting, a Juris Doctor in Law, and a
Master's of Law. He served in the Office of Chief Counsel at the Internal Revenue Service in Washington, DC,
first as a trial attorney and then as a legislative attorney drafting tax legislation with the U.S. Congress. He
joined the Law Firm of Reid & Priest in New York in 1961. He joined Exxon Corporation in 1967 as a member of
the tax staff and continued until his retirement in 1994. In New York, Mr. Jennings was active in the leadership
and fundraising drives for the Community Chest, the American Red Cross and the United Fund. He also served
as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the New Rochelle Hospital Medical Center and was a past president
of the Pelham Country Club.
Mr. Jennings was a member of the Bars of the states of Texas, New York and the District of Columbia; the U.S.
Supreme Court; the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia; the New York Supreme Court, the U.S.
Tax Court; the U.S. Court of Claims; and the U.S. Court of Military Appeals. He was also very active in many
professional organizations, including the American and Federal Bar Associations and the U.S. Chamber of
Commerce. Following his transfer to Irving when Exxon Corporation relocated its headquarters in 1990, Mr.
Jennings served as a board trustee of Baylor Medical Center at Irving and the Irving Healthcare Foundation,
served as president of the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce, the Irving Convention & Visitors
Bureau, the Irving Healthcare Foundation, the Irving Symphony Orchestra and the Rotary Club.
LeSueur Girardey (Bud) Smith, Jr., raised in Pelham, he served as a Lieutenant in the US Navy for four
years during WWII as a PBY pilot in the South Pacific. He lived in Larchmont most of his life and passed away
on February 11, 2004. Bud was born December 22, 1919 and attended Georgetown Prep and Georgetown
University. He was Publisher of Marconi’s International Register, and served as Chairman and President of
Telegraphic Cable & Radio Registrations, Inc.
Bud will always be remembered as a unique man with great integrity. He will be especially remembered for his
love of the sea. He joined Larchmont Yacht Club in 1939and demonstrated a passion for sailing spanned over
80 years. He was survived by his wife of 55 years, Mary Cecile Graham; seven children: Cici, Joanne, Carol,
Nancy, Barbara, Meg, and Girard; as well as eight grandchildren. He is interred at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in
Hawthorne, NY .Journal News (Nov. 17, 2007)
Raymond C. Jr, Richard, and Herbert Smith, of 419 Third Avenue in Pelham, sons of Mr. & Mrs. Raymond
C. Smith, were in the service during WWII. Raymond age 25, a graduate of PMHS and Alfred University, was
commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps Reserve in February 1944. His brother Richard, age 23
at the time, was also a graduate of PMHS and Dartmouth College who joined the Merchant Marine. Herbert,
studied for two years at Cornell, before joining Marine Aviation as a Private First Class.
BRIGADIER GENERAL PINKHAM SMITH, was born in Pelham, N.Y. in 1916. He attended Taft High School in
Watertown, Conn. and then Princeton University from 1933 to 1937. While a Manhattan resident of 111 East
64th Street, he graduation from ROTC at Princeton on June 20, 1937, and was commissioned a second
lieutenant in the Field Artillery Reserve.
After a short time in the Artillery General Smith entered the Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet on June 20,
1938. He went to primary and basic flying training school at Randolph Field, Texas, and went on to advanced
flying school at Kelly Field, Texas, May 25, 1939.
General Smith's first assignment was as a fighter pilot at Wheeler Field, Hawaii. In June of 1941 he trained at
Barksdale Field, La. and went in early 944, to fly the new B29s with the Twentieth Bomber Command in the
China-Burma-India Theater. Later he became assistant chief of tactical operations for the Twentieth Bomber
Command and flew 140 hours of combat before the end of World War II in the Pacific. General Smith bombed
targets in Tokyo and Bangkok while flying combat missions in the Far East.
On Guam with the Twentieth Air Force when the war ended, he was selected for Operation Crossroads, the Air
Force's continuation of atomic tests. General Smith became detachment commander of the 509th
Bombardment Wing at Kirtland Field, Albuquerque, N.M. The group tested with practice atomic weapons on
bombing ranges around Albuquerque. Testing was completed in April 1946 and the general went back to Guam
to become director of plans for the Twentieth Air Force. In June of 1946, General Smith while home attending
funeral services for his Father, became senior air instructor for the New Hampshire Air National Guard.
Next the General attended the Armed Forces Staff College at Norfolk, VA and then assigned in August of 1949
to Headquarters of the Strategic Air Command, at Offutt Air Force Base, NE. There he served as chief of
ground training, deputy director of training, and deputy director of personnel until July 1952. After graduation
from the Air War College, located at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., in July 1953, General Smith was assigned to
the Alaskan Air Command, at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Anchorage. He served as director of operations and
commander of the 5039th Air Base Wing. Later he became deputy commander of the Tenth Air Division (Def).
In August 1955, General Smith returned to the United States as base commander at March Air Force Base,
Calif.
General Smith became commander of the 22d Bombardment Wing, March Air Force Base, on Feb. 11, 1956.
On Aug. 20, 1957, General Smith was appointed chief of staff for Headquarters Fifteenth Air Force, also at
March Air Force Base. In 1966 he served as commander of the air forces in South Korea. During his career
he logged more than 4,100 hours of flying time.
The Lydia E. Pinkham Medicine Company of Lynn, Mass., was founded by General Smith's great grandmother
and is still owned by his family. His son, Wescott Hoge Smith graduated from Princeton in 1964 and was
engaged to Nancy Potts of Colt's Neck NJ in 1966.
General Smith was awarded the Air Medal and Bronze Star Medal along with seven other Air Force decorations.
He retired Aug. 1, 1968 and died on Dec. 30 1979. Pinkham Smith and his wife, Cornelia Hoge (Born: Dec. 12,
1919 Died: Dec. 20, 2000) are interred at Arlington National Cemetery, SECTION 59 SITE 584
http://www.af.mil/bios/bio_print.asp?bioID=7185&page=1 The New York Times Aug. 1, 1937,January 23, 1966
(May 3, 2008)
First Lieutentant H. Richard Spurway, was the son of Mr. & Mrs. Hubert V. Spurway of 174 Sparks Avenue,
and a graduate of Pelham Memorial High School. He went on to study Columbia University and graduated from
Hobart College in Geneva, NY.
He joined the service in April of 1941 and was at Pearl Harbor serving as an enlisted man before and after the
attack of Dec. 7th, 1941. He was later commissioned in April 1943 and a year later was stationed to Stewart
Field where he was the post statistical officer. The Standard Star April 27, 1945 (Jan. 5, 2008)
Ensign Edith Roberta Andruss Stellar USNR was a member of the WAVES who was commissioned into the
Navy in June of 1943. She was a graduate of the Ursuline School in New Rochelle and a bachelors of science
degree from Columbia University. Her parents lived at the Pelham Arms Apartments in Pelham Manor.
She married Raymond Frank Stellar from Chicago on April 10, 1944 St. Matthew's Cathedral in Washington
DC. The church was decorated with Easter lilies. Mr. Stellar was a civil engineer in the office of the Chief of
Engineers, US Army in Washington, DC. Standard Star April 14, 1944 (January 18, 2008)
Robert F. Sweeny, of Mt. Vernon, NY, served in the Army, attaining the rank of First Lieutenant. He was
honorably discharged in 1952. He died May 28, 2005 at age 84. Mr. Sweeny was born February 27, 1921 in
Bronx, NY and was educated in Pelham. On September 9 1950, he married the late Gloria Abel. Mr. Sweeny
was survived by his two daughters, Kathleen Sweeny Gilbreth and Maureen O'Brien, his four grandchildren and
one great-granddaughter. He was predeceased by his son, Robert F. Sweeny, Jr. He was interred at Gate of
Heaven Cemetery. Journal News (Nov. 17, 2007)
21
Service Scholarship. The grant was announced on August 30, 1946. The grant based on scores of an
examination provide up to $350 per year for up to four years to pay for tuition at any recognized college or
trade school in New York State. The New York Times August 31, 1946. (April 12, 2008)
Francis S. Quinn was in combat nine consecutive months with the 636th Tank Destroyer Battalion and led a
naval shore fire control party in first wave of D-Day. His brother William H. Quinn was killed in action in Belgium
on Jan. 15th. Standard Star Jan 31, 1945 (12/1/2007)
Joseph M. Ragosta, DDS was a veteran of the Vietnam War, serving as a US Army dentist in Fort Knox, KT.
A long-term resident of Pelham Manor, he died on January 12, 2008. The Pelham Weekly January 18, 2008
(January 22, 2008)
John W. "Jack" Rennau, was a World War II Army veteran, having served as Field Artillery First Lieutenant in
the European Theater. A Longtime resident of Pelham Manor, he died November 9, 2001.
Born May 20, 1910 in New York City, Mr. Rennau worked on Wall Street for more than 50 years, starting in
1926 after his graduation from DeWitt Clinton High School. An accomplished speedskater he was a finalist for
the 1932 Olympic Team.
During WWII he joined the Army on April 8, 1943 serving in the US Army as a first lieutenant in the Field
Artillery, and spent much of the war in Georgia and Oklahoma, teaching math related to artillery positioning. He
was assigned to the 791st field Artillery Battalion, aunit which fired 8 inch howitzers. They sailed for Europe
arriving on March 5, 1945. Mr. Rennau served in France, Belgium, and Germany returning to the USA on
August 19, 1945. He was awarded the European-African - Middle Eastern Service medal, the American
Theater Service Medal, and the World War II Victory medal.
Mr. Rennau was a municipal bond salesman and partner at Loeb Rhoades and Co., and moved to Pelham
Manor in 1947, Mr. Rennau was a member of the School Board, for many years a volunteer fireman, and was a
parishioner of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. An avid sportsman, he excelled at speed skating, golf,
downhill skiing, and diving. He later competed at the age of 67 in all four events of the Senior Olympic Speed
Skating Event held at Lake Placid. He was survived by his wife of 55 years, the former Alma Schmieg; four
children Nancy Rennau Tumposky of Montclair, NJ, Susan Rennau of Salt Lake City, UT, Stephen Rennau of
Waitsfield, VT and John Rennau of Somerville, MA; and five grandchildren. (Mar. 24, 2010)
Ralph L. A. Rhodes, USN was born in New York City January 6, 1916 and grew up in Pelham. He joined the
US Navy during WWII and became a pilot. During the Battle of Leyte Gulf on October 25th he made a heroic air
attack on the Japanese fleet, most likely the giant Japanese battleship Musashi which was sunk that day by the
repeated attacks by American naval airplanes. Rhodes was recognized with the Navy Cross, the top award for
valor second only to the Medal of Honor. The citation read:
"The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ralph L. A. Rhodes,
Lieutenant, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as
Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber in Bombing Squadron SEVEN (VB-7), embarked from the U.S.S.
HANCOCK (CV-19), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Sulu Sea in the Philippine Islands, during
the Battle of Leyte Gulf on 25 October 1944. Flying to extreme range from his carrier against major units of the
fleet in the Philippine Islands area, Lieutenant Rhodes pressed home his attack despite intense
anti-aircraft fire in utter disregard of his own safety and scored a direct hit on an enemy battleship. His courage
and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval
Service."
Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 339 (June 1945)
http://www.homeofheroes.com/valor/1_Citations/03_wwii-nc/nc_06wwii_navyR.html
(February 28, 2008)
Major Clifford T. Rogers USA served as Chief of Staff for the 2nd Air Disarmament Wing in England, France,
Germany, Czechoslovakia, and the Balkans, for two years, and was in Air Intelligence during the Invasion of
France, gathering secret information, and weapons of the enemy.
Major Rogers first entered the service, as a reserve officer in 1925, and volunteered to reenter the armed
forces in 1940. He brought back with him a German rifle, which a German Sniper fired at him four times,
missing each time. The Major and a companion spotted the sniper in a church tower, rushed the tower, and
killed the sniper. He had 151 pts of service credits when he returned home. The Major earned the Soldiers
Medal of Valor, The Presidential Citation, the Croix de Guerre, the Bronze Star, and four battle stars. He was
the advertising manager for the magazine of the National Association of Credit Men before volunteering for
WWII. He returned home to Pelham in October of 1945 and lived at 999 Grant Avenue in Pelham Manor.
Major Clifford Rogers On Terminal Leave. The Standard Star 10/29/45 (February 2, 2008)
Adolph V. Russillo, served in the United States Navy during World II and was a member of American legion
Post 50. He died on Monday, June 11, 2001 at age 85. A resident of the Village of Pelham for much of his life,
Mr. Russillo graduated from St. Catharine‘s School and Pelham Memorial High School and pursued a lifelong
profession in the field of Law Enforcement. A career law enforcement officer, Mr. Russillo rose through the
ranks of the North Pelham Police Department and retired as Chief of the Department in 1974 after 34 years of
service to the Village. From 1974 to 1981 Mr. Russillo served as Chief Inspector of Government Installations,
Security and Personnel for the General Services Adminstration of the United States with responsibility for
government facilities in New York and New Jersey as well as Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.
Mr. Russillo was survived by his wife, Frances; two sons A. Peter and his wife Barbara of Pelham, NY, and
Robert V. and his wife Brenda of New Rochelle, NY; and six daughters Jacqueline (Mrs. Daniel) Shea of
Oceanside, NY; Teresa (Mrs. George) Gallo of Pelham, NY; Elizabeth (Mrs. Anthony) Nardozzi of Chadds Ford,
PA; Noel (Mrs. Terrence) Bopp of Pelham, NY; Frances (Mrs. Robert) Currie of Cheyney, PA; and Patricia (Mrs.
Michael) Mandato of Alpharetta, GA, as well as 29 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Mr. Russillo
was survived by two brothers, Michael P. of Redington Beach, FL and Alfred G. of Hedgesville. He is interred
at the Cemetery of Our Lady of Sorrows, Finch Hill, Carbondale, PA. A Memorial Mass was celebrated at St.
Catharine‘s Church, Pelham, on June 30, 2001. Journal News (Nov. 17, 2007)
John H. Sasser, was inducted into the US Army on May 3rd of 1943 on a special basis. He left for basic
training at Camp Upton, on Long Island during the first week of May 1943. The Standard Star May 3, 1943
First Lieutenant Roy W. Scott lived at 24 Garden Road in Pelham Manor. He was awarded the Distinguished
Flying Cross in November 1943, the citation read:
"For heroism in flight and exceptional and outstanding accomplishment in the face of great danger above and
beyond the line of duty."
The award was announced by Lt. General George C. Kenney, Commander of the Allied air forces in the
Southwest Pacific. The Standard Star November 29, 1943
Lieutenant Mark L. Sherman, of 107 107 Ancon Avenue, was a member of the football and track teams at
Pelham Memorial High School. He went on to study at Norwich Military Academy. He entered military service on
October 1, 1942.
Sherman became a navigator on a B-24 and flew 35 missions as a navigator from Italy against targets in
Europe. He was stationed overseas for six months returning in February 1945. He was stationed in Texas
before his discharge in October 1945. Lt. Sherman was awarded the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters
and five Battle stars.
The Standard Star October 26, 1945. (March 8, 2008)
Robert E. Shevlin, USN was the son of Mr. and Mrs. George J. Shelvin of 457 Siwanoy Place. He attended
Pelham Memorial H.S.and graduated from New Rochelle Prep. School, and went on to be a manager at Howard
Johnson's. Robert entered the Navy on Nov. 12, 1942, and completed two tours of duty as an aviation
machinists mate second class. In June 1945 he was transferred to the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise where he
was a gunner on a fighter plane. He came to the country on the Enterprise and was discharged from the
service in the fall of 1945 after the Japanese surrender. Standard Star 10/31/45 (February 1, 2008)
Dr. Paul Skudder, a long-time resident of Pelham, he entered the U.S. Army in 1943 prior to his completion of
high school. He served through WWII as an enlisted man in the European Theatre, where he was assigned to
the Army 16th General Hospital. Moved by this hospital experience, he graduated from New Rochelle High
School in 1946, and Middlebury College in 1949 and then entered Cornell University Medical College in New
York City.
Upon graduation, he served at Cornell and at New York-Presbyterian Hospital almost without interruption for the
following 56 years, as an intern, resident, attending surgeon and faculty member. His contributions included
directing the fracture service for many years, support for emergency room care and for tetanus prevention and
cancer surgery. He continued to work at the cancer research unit until 2005.
Dr. Scudder was born in Surbiton, England, and accompanied his family to New Rochelle at the age of two. He
died on June 24, 2006 in New Rochelle at age 82 years old. He was survived by his wife Elizabeth Jayne
Skudder, and by five children (Paul Jr., Christopher, Meg, Eileen and Beth) and 11 grandchildren. He was
predeceased by his first wife of 32 years, Margaret Youmans Skudder. The Funeral Mass was celebrated at
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. Pelham Weekly. (January 6, 2007)
Description of 16th general Hospital in France
Jennings T. Smith, was a member of the Armed Forces during the during the Korean conflict, served as
Pelham Manor Mayor from 1974-75, he died in 2007 in Irving, Texas, at age 78.
Born April 25, 1929 in Greensboro, NC, Mr. Smith was a a resident of Pelham Manor from 1961 to 1990. He
served for 15 years as acting Village Justice with criminal jurisdiction over felony hearings, misdemeanors,
traffic offenses and certain civil litigation. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Flor A. Smith; his two
daughters, Kathryn Ryan of The Woodlands, TX, and Cinda Koehler of Doylestown, PA; and four grandsons.
Mr. Jennings attended college in Washington, DC, and held an A.B. in accounting, a Juris Doctor in Law, and a
Master's of Law. He served in the Office of Chief Counsel at the Internal Revenue Service in Washington, DC,
first as a trial attorney and then as a legislative attorney drafting tax legislation with the U.S. Congress. He
joined the Law Firm of Reid & Priest in New York in 1961. He joined Exxon Corporation in 1967 as a member of
the tax staff and continued until his retirement in 1994. In New York, Mr. Jennings was active in the leadership
and fundraising drives for the Community Chest, the American Red Cross and the United Fund. He also served
as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the New Rochelle Hospital Medical Center and was a past president
of the Pelham Country Club.
Mr. Jennings was a member of the Bars of the states of Texas, New York and the District of Columbia; the U.S.
Supreme Court; the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia; the New York Supreme Court, the U.S.
Tax Court; the U.S. Court of Claims; and the U.S. Court of Military Appeals. He was also very active in many
professional organizations, including the American and Federal Bar Associations and the U.S. Chamber of
Commerce. Following his transfer to Irving when Exxon Corporation relocated its headquarters in 1990, Mr.
Jennings served as a board trustee of Baylor Medical Center at Irving and the Irving Healthcare Foundation,
served as president of the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce, the Irving Convention & Visitors
Bureau, the Irving Healthcare Foundation, the Irving Symphony Orchestra and the Rotary Club.
LeSueur Girardey (Bud) Smith, Jr., raised in Pelham, he served as a Lieutenant in the US Navy for four
years during WWII as a PBY pilot in the South Pacific. He lived in Larchmont most of his life and passed away
on February 11, 2004. Bud was born December 22, 1919 and attended Georgetown Prep and Georgetown
University. He was Publisher of Marconi’s International Register, and served as Chairman and President of
Telegraphic Cable & Radio Registrations, Inc.
Bud will always be remembered as a unique man with great integrity. He will be especially remembered for his
love of the sea. He joined Larchmont Yacht Club in 1939and demonstrated a passion for sailing spanned over
80 years. He was survived by his wife of 55 years, Mary Cecile Graham; seven children: Cici, Joanne, Carol,
Nancy, Barbara, Meg, and Girard; as well as eight grandchildren. He is interred at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in
Hawthorne, NY .Journal News (Nov. 17, 2007)
Raymond C. Jr, Richard, and Herbert Smith, of 419 Third Avenue in Pelham, sons of Mr. & Mrs. Raymond
C. Smith, were in the service during WWII. Raymond age 25, a graduate of PMHS and Alfred University, was
commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps Reserve in February 1944. His brother Richard, age 23
at the time, was also a graduate of PMHS and Dartmouth College who joined the Merchant Marine. Herbert,
studied for two years at Cornell, before joining Marine Aviation as a Private First Class.
BRIGADIER GENERAL PINKHAM SMITH, was born in Pelham, N.Y. in 1916. He attended Taft High School in
Watertown, Conn. and then Princeton University from 1933 to 1937. While a Manhattan resident of 111 East
64th Street, he graduation from ROTC at Princeton on June 20, 1937, and was commissioned a second
lieutenant in the Field Artillery Reserve.
After a short time in the Artillery General Smith entered the Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet on June 20,
1938. He went to primary and basic flying training school at Randolph Field, Texas, and went on to advanced
flying school at Kelly Field, Texas, May 25, 1939.
General Smith's first assignment was as a fighter pilot at Wheeler Field, Hawaii. In June of 1941 he trained at
Barksdale Field, La. and went in early 944, to fly the new B29s with the Twentieth Bomber Command in the
China-Burma-India Theater. Later he became assistant chief of tactical operations for the Twentieth Bomber
Command and flew 140 hours of combat before the end of World War II in the Pacific. General Smith bombed
targets in Tokyo and Bangkok while flying combat missions in the Far East.
On Guam with the Twentieth Air Force when the war ended, he was selected for Operation Crossroads, the Air
Force's continuation of atomic tests. General Smith became detachment commander of the 509th
Bombardment Wing at Kirtland Field, Albuquerque, N.M. The group tested with practice atomic weapons on
bombing ranges around Albuquerque. Testing was completed in April 1946 and the general went back to Guam
to become director of plans for the Twentieth Air Force. In June of 1946, General Smith while home attending
funeral services for his Father, became senior air instructor for the New Hampshire Air National Guard.
Next the General attended the Armed Forces Staff College at Norfolk, VA and then assigned in August of 1949
to Headquarters of the Strategic Air Command, at Offutt Air Force Base, NE. There he served as chief of
ground training, deputy director of training, and deputy director of personnel until July 1952. After graduation
from the Air War College, located at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., in July 1953, General Smith was assigned to
the Alaskan Air Command, at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Anchorage. He served as director of operations and
commander of the 5039th Air Base Wing. Later he became deputy commander of the Tenth Air Division (Def).
In August 1955, General Smith returned to the United States as base commander at March Air Force Base,
Calif.
General Smith became commander of the 22d Bombardment Wing, March Air Force Base, on Feb. 11, 1956.
On Aug. 20, 1957, General Smith was appointed chief of staff for Headquarters Fifteenth Air Force, also at
March Air Force Base. In 1966 he served as commander of the air forces in South Korea. During his career
he logged more than 4,100 hours of flying time.
The Lydia E. Pinkham Medicine Company of Lynn, Mass., was founded by General Smith's great grandmother
and is still owned by his family. His son, Wescott Hoge Smith graduated from Princeton in 1964 and was
engaged to Nancy Potts of Colt's Neck NJ in 1966.
General Smith was awarded the Air Medal and Bronze Star Medal along with seven other Air Force decorations.
He retired Aug. 1, 1968 and died on Dec. 30 1979. Pinkham Smith and his wife, Cornelia Hoge (Born: Dec. 12,
1919 Died: Dec. 20, 2000) are interred at Arlington National Cemetery, SECTION 59 SITE 584
http://www.af.mil/bios/bio_print.asp?bioID=7185&page=1 The New York Times Aug. 1, 1937,January 23, 1966
(May 3, 2008)
First Lieutentant H. Richard Spurway, was the son of Mr. & Mrs. Hubert V. Spurway of 174 Sparks Avenue,
and a graduate of Pelham Memorial High School. He went on to study Columbia University and graduated from
Hobart College in Geneva, NY.
He joined the service in April of 1941 and was at Pearl Harbor serving as an enlisted man before and after the
attack of Dec. 7th, 1941. He was later commissioned in April 1943 and a year later was stationed to Stewart
Field where he was the post statistical officer. The Standard Star April 27, 1945 (Jan. 5, 2008)
Ensign Edith Roberta Andruss Stellar USNR was a member of the WAVES who was commissioned into the
Navy in June of 1943. She was a graduate of the Ursuline School in New Rochelle and a bachelors of science
degree from Columbia University. Her parents lived at the Pelham Arms Apartments in Pelham Manor.
She married Raymond Frank Stellar from Chicago on April 10, 1944 St. Matthew's Cathedral in Washington
DC. The church was decorated with Easter lilies. Mr. Stellar was a civil engineer in the office of the Chief of
Engineers, US Army in Washington, DC. Standard Star April 14, 1944 (January 18, 2008)
Robert F. Sweeny, of Mt. Vernon, NY, served in the Army, attaining the rank of First Lieutenant. He was
honorably discharged in 1952. He died May 28, 2005 at age 84. Mr. Sweeny was born February 27, 1921 in
Bronx, NY and was educated in Pelham. On September 9 1950, he married the late Gloria Abel. Mr. Sweeny
was survived by his two daughters, Kathleen Sweeny Gilbreth and Maureen O'Brien, his four grandchildren and
one great-granddaughter. He was predeceased by his son, Robert F. Sweeny, Jr. He was interred at Gate of
Heaven Cemetery. Journal News (Nov. 17, 2007)
21
| History of Pelham Veterans. Q to Z |
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