Verhovayak Lapja, 1944 (27. évfolyam, 1-52. szám)
1944 / Verhovay Journal
Page 2 Verhovay Journal June 29, 1944 JOHN HORVATH, JR. Branch 503 — Chicago, 111. Mr. and Mrs. John Horvath (4936 W. Bryon) of Chicago Branch 503 have reason to feel proud of their son, Jolin, Jr., Chief Machinist Mate, pictured above. “Sonny” now is an instructor at Great Lakes. He had been on the seven seas since 1937, when he volunteered for the Navy. He served on the aircraft carrier Lexington, saw service in Panama and the East Indies. In 1939 he was with the Asiatic Fleet and saw considerable fighting in China, principally in Shanghai and every other Chinese coastal port. He was also in the Dutch East Indies, French Indo-China, Yokohoma (Japan!), and in Malaya. During the present conflict he was in action at Casablanca, in the African theatre of war, in the southwest Pacific, in the Solomons, New Caledonia, New Hebrides, New Zealand and at New Georgia—which we remember from our papers when our boys made the assault on Munda. John Horvath, Jr., CMM, received his present rank on June 1st, and he also wears several campaign ribbons: African and Middle Eastern, American Theatre, South West Pacific, China Service, Defense, and Good Conduct. Our sincere congratulations to Johnny!-----------V----------THE FIGHTING’S FAIRLY SAFE Government urges service men to buy life insurance because of the hazards they face. But note the astonishing contrast of figures below. Since Pearl Harbor, there have been 83,000 casualties (which includes killed, wounded, missing, and interned). Estimating an average of 5,000,000 under ai ms during that time, that means casualties have run 1%%. Meanwhile, since December % 1941, there have been 6,065,000 casualties among U. S', workers (and that includes no “missing’? or “interned”). Estimating aa average of 50,000,000 employed during that time, casualties have reached 12%. Thus the rate is at the rate of 1 to 8 among workers, and approximately 1 to 60 in the armed forces. The prospect is certain he wpuld take more life insurance if he went into the armed services, but of course nothing Is going to happen to him here at home. —R and R. A Report on the War Effort What Americans of Hungarian Origin Are Doing By Stephen Huzianyi pfc. Zoltán Hodermarsky Co. G.—168th Infantry APO No. 34— c/o New York City This is a story about a modest boy from the district of Hazelwood, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, who lived with bis parents at 5445 Second Avenue. This lad was born on September 15, 1918, Zoltán is his name—a Magyar name that spells a good fighting spirit. Zoltán attended the Gladstone Jr. High School, graduating from a Commercial Course in 1937. Although his favorite studies hinged on history, he was a good all around sportsman, with a particular liking for baseball. He also spent considerable time in swimming and organizing other baseball clubs, and in taking an active part in their proper functions—for these seemed to be hobbies. Zoltán was a member of the Verhovay and B & O Athletic clubs. After completing his high school, he worked at the B & O railroad yards as a blacksmith, until he went into the military services on Sept. 15, 1941. Stationed at Camp Croft, North Carolina, he diligently studied radio and sharpshooting. His specialty then turned out to be in the infantry. He was in the country for several months and was then transfered overseas during January of 1942, He was in a convoy bound for Ireland, where he went through extensive training. But let us hear from his mother, who wrote the following: “Zoltán was with the forces that invaded North Africa. From then on he was in all the major campaigns there. He wrote to us of the Battle of Kasserine Pass, where the Germans broke through our lines and our boys were forced to make a hasty retreat, leaving all their possessions behind. Zoltán had to leave all his Christmas packages which he had just then received, since he did not have time to open them. Our boys shortly thereafter counter attacked and regained all the lost ground, but Zoltán could never find his lost belongings. On March 28, 1943, he was wounded in action in one of the fierce battles. This required about two months of hospital care, but he never wrote how serious a wound he received. He always wrote to us and would say ‘It’s nothing, so don’t worry; I’m O.K.’ “Zoltán also served as a special guard for high ranking army officers at the finest hotel in all Africa, as he wrote us, although he never gave us information. At that time, it is significant to remark that Churchill and Roosevelt were having their historical meeting in North Africa.” When Sicily was invaded, his parents wrote to ask if he were in that campaign. But Zoltán wrote back “No, but I wish I were there.” It seems that at that time he knew, but would not divulge, that he was training and preparing for the invasion of the Italian mainland. He landed with the assault forces that attacked the Salerno beach head. Only after it was over did he write his parents how terrific the fighting was there, and that he was proud to have such buddies as he did have, fighting side by side with him. The War Department sent a telegram to his parents on November 11, 1943,—Armistice Day—informing them of the death of their beloved son on October 13, 1943. Several months later his parents received a letter from General F. B. Butler, who was the commanding officer under whom Zoltán served. Here is quoted a part of that letter: “During the early afternoon of October 13, 1943, Company G was assigned the mission of assisting the 1st Battalion in the attack on enemy positions. The unit had completed a river crossing and was advancing toward a high ridge to complete their objective when they were shelled by enemy artillery. During this action your son was killed. “On behalf of the officers and enlisted men of this regiment, I extend sympathy to you. Your son was an excellent soldier and leader, and it has been an honorable privilege to have been associated with him. In our future operations, we will feel that Private First Class Hodermarsky is with us in each engagement, sharing our victories.” Very true are these words of a fighting commander. Zoltán Hodermarsky will, in spirit, be with his buddies—those who are still left of the original company in which he served. But we do know that it is a spirit like that of Zoltán which makes for the finest fighting infantry of our land. May God rest his soul in peace, and may PFC Zoltán Hodermarsky not have given his life in vain. A/S EUGENE A. PETROYITS Chicago Branch 503 Gene is a student at Ohio State University, from where he expects to go to advanced training. Eight months ago he volunteered and was accepted in the Air Corps. His pre-flight training was at St .Louis, and his next stop perhaps will be at San Antonio. Gene wants Branch 503 members to write to him, by getting the address from his folks. FRANK MARKOS S2/C Branch 503 — Chicago, DI. Frank Markos is in training at a radio school in Auburn, Alabama. Nicknamed “Ritzi” by his intimate friends, Frankie was the star baseball player on the Steinmetz High School team in 1943. He worked at W. F. Hall Printing Company before his entry into the armed forces. His home is at 2720 N. Melvina Ave., and wants the Editor to send him the Journal—but to camp! A STORM AT NIQHT The fierce wind blew so strong, The sunshine of the day was past, Clouds of darkness covered the sky: As the bitter rain fell fast. The lightning from out the sky Lit the earth round about me, I watched as it destructively shattered The tall and sturdy chestnut tree. From out the Heavens came a roar That shook the earth in fright, A distant, frightening cry of a cat, Were the sounds of a storm at night. There was no rainbow in the sky, The stars were gone from sight, I prayed to Heaven for the Angels To protect me from a storm at night. EMMA JENE EVANS, Age 14, Member of Branch 7, Pricedale, Pa. It is inevitable that most of the activities which contribute to the successful termination of this war will never be publicized in the full, because the range and variety of the departments in which we serve are too greatly diversified to permit of a detailed description and summary. It is our purpose here to do what justice we can to our boys as well as those of us on the production line through an analysis and exposition of our efforts on both home and battle sectors of this, the most widespread and far-flung of conflicts in our world history. While many thousands of our people, our brothers, our husbands, our sweethearts are battling all over the globe, right here in our country there are undoubtedly several hundred firms whose efforts are all directed toward an early and successful conclusion of the war. Recognition is deserved on the fighting fronts — and at home, and moreover, is necessary — so that we may gauge more thoroughly our contributions to the U. S. A. Such will be the aim of this and future articles, in which I intend to give brief, revealing biographies of our fighting men. V SacktkM^' BUY MORI
