Verhovayak Lapja, 1945 (28. évfolyam, 1-52. szám)
1945 / Verhovay Journal
February 28, 1945 Verhovay Journal Page 7 They Gave Their Lives... (Continued from Page 6) ingr with a machine-gun crew he was decorated in January for extraordinary valor and shortly afterwards was killed in action. lie was a member of Branch 449 of Jersey City, N. J., and is the first heroic dead member of that branch. He is the 48th Verhovayan to die on the Western front. In behalf of the membership of the Verhovay we extend our deepest sympathy to the mother of this hero, and to her family. His exemplary conduct and his heroism are proof that he served his nation nobly, over and beyond the line of duty. 124. STEPHEN GUS RÁKOS, JR. Stephen Gus Kakos, Jr., Coxswain, IT. S. -Navy, has been carried on the official records of the Navy Department in the status of missing- in action as of January 27, 1944. — He was a member of the armed guard serving on board the S. S. Sumner J. Kimball when that vessel was lost in the Mid-Atlantic during heavy weather. In view of the fact that the sip in which he served, was lost in the ocean one year ago and because none of the personnel of the ship .have been reported to be prisoners of war, the Navy Department was forced to the conclusion that he is deceased and a certificate of assumed death has been issued. Stephen Gus Rákos was born in Berwick, Pa., on March 26th, 1921. He was a member of Branch 29, Berwick, Pa., and is the first heroic dead member of that Branch. The uncertainty shrouding the circumstances of his death only serves to deepen the agony of his mourning family. Offering our condolences we urge them to resign themselves to the facts as set forth by the letter of the Navy Department and to accept our assurancees of brotherly sympathy as a source of comfort in their great sorrow. 125. 1st LT. FRANK FAZEKAS Mrs. Theresa Fazekas of 11 Virginia Avenue5 Trenton, N. J., was notified by the War Department, that her husband, 1st Lt. Frank Fazekas, a member of the Air Corps, was killed in action over France on May 27, 1944. Frank Fazekas was the pilot of a P-47 Thunderbolt type aircraft, which was reported missing in action on May 27, 1944, while on an operational mission over France. Since then it has been officially established from reports received in the War Department that he was killed in action on that date as the result of the destruction of his air-plane by the enemy. Frank Fazekas was born in New7 Jersey on March 21, 1922. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Fazekas live in the same city at 524 Grand Street. He was a member of Branch 13, New Jersey, N. J.? and is the first heroic dead member of that Branch. Including him, 49 Verhovayans have lost their lives in the great battle of Western Europe. We extend our deepest sympathy to the parents of our hero, Mr. and Mrs. John Fazekas, and to his wife, the 13th warwidow of the Verhovay F. I. A. — May the great service 1st Lt. Frank Fazekas had rendered to his country, serve as a source of comfort to them in their bereavement. 126. 1st Lt. ZOLLIE JUHOS Mr. and Mrs. Coleman Juhos received a message Tuesday from the Secretary of War stating that their son, First Lt. Zoliié Juhos was killed in action in Germany on January 30. Further information is to be sent later. Lt. Juhos was one of five sons serving at fronts overseas. Scarcely a week went by without a letter from him, and a V-Mail letter that came Monday without a date, stated ‘"We are pushing around here in the snow, sometimes I wonder when it will actually stop snow'ing.” On Dec. 20, he wrote “In Reichland. Right now I am quite well, I have my command post in the most beautiful home in this town, quite substantial too. Of course due to numerous shellings, we use the basement and I have a swell lay out. There are four parts to this basement and I use two of them. In one I have our sleeping quarters, three great big beds. My platoon headquarters is down to three men now. In the other part I have my business quarters and eating place. We have a stove in each room. Do our own cooking. Had a few bad days last week, saw my platoon dwindle from 50 to 14 men, it was really bad, makes my heart sink when I check and note all the missing faces. My job is bigger than ever now ” Lt. Juhos was sent overseas in August last year, he enlisted in November, 1942, in the army and was assigned to the infantry training in Camp Carson, Colo., and then in Officers Candidate School in Fort Benning, Ga., where he received his commission in May, 1944. The letter of Dec. 20, also stated that he had received the Purple Heart, “just for a little scratch,” and “I’m to be decorated with the Silver or Bronze Star for a little something I did last week. I have been informed that I am to become a first lieutenant.” This advancement was indicated . on the return address of the V-Mail letter. Zoliié was born to Coleman and Anna Juhos in Rossford, in September, 1918. He was graduated from the Rossford high school and then was employed in the Willys-Overland Co., and in the LOF Glass Co. Surviving besides his parents, are brothers, Teddy Juhos, Mo. MMIC, Navy and Corp. Tony Juhos, tank division, both in the Philippines; two step-brothers, Capt. Fred Szorady, France and Capt. Tony Szorady, Germany; Bob Juhos at home, a junior in high school. Also two sisters, Mrs. Philip Eckhart, Burbank, Calif., and Mrs. H. G. Elvvel), Gardena, Calif.; and one step-sister, Mrs. Steven Kormányos and step-brother, William Szorady, both of Cleveland. 1st Lt. Zoliié Juhos was a member of Branch 194 cf Rossford, O., and is the first heroic dead member of this Branch and the 50th Verhovayan to lose his life in Western Europe. THE MEMORY OF OUR 126 HEROIC DEAD SHALL REMAIN WITH US FOR EVER. gerous prisoners were “the kids” and they had to be watched constantly”. The dampness and inability to change footwear through long periods crippled our former patrolman who was relegated to the rear but only after he suffered a fractured heel, an ear perforation and loss of two teeth. Andy was awarded the Purple Heart.. Andy is married to the former Ann Branik of Duquesne, and has two other , children besides Andrew, Jr.; Arlene, 6 and Anrdea, 4. — The entire family belong to Branch 430. All I can add is that Branch 430 is mighty happy to see you back in the States, Andy, and proud of your accomplishments. * * * Cpl. Lou Pastor, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Pastor of Munhall, a month ago made the long trip from Ft. Lewis, Washington to New York where he was visited by his parents and family. It is safe to assume that Lou will eventually turn up in á foreign theater of operation. Our best wishes for a quick return home go to Lou Pastor. Word of his brother, Sgt. Frank Pastor, missing in action is unpleasant. We pray he turn up safe and sound within the near future. THE HOMESTEAD MERRY-GO-ROUND BRANCH 430 PITTSBURGH NEWS FRONT: ßy Recent approval of “American Hungarian Relief, Inc.” by the President’s War Relief Control Board was welcomed by many Americans of Hungarian parentage. It now makes possible the throwing into high gear of the movement to solicit contributions for the help and salvation of the distressed people of Hungary. I feel quite certain that with the aid of the local church groups and civic and fraternal bodies, the Pittsburgh Districtwill outdo itself in contributing to this truly worthy cause. MILITARY VIEWS FROM EVERYWHERE: Our old friend and Verhovay booster Pvt. Andrew N. Timko is back in the States after having undergone some strenuous and bitter fighting along the German front. On January 28th, he came home on a three day pass and obtained his first glimpse of his son, Andrew, Jr. That same day, a Pittsburgh Press reporter and photographer stopped out at 224 Whitaker Way and talked to Andy about his ex. periences in the battle zone and here is what they learned: Corp. William C. Kohut “When Andy learned that he had a son, he was heading for a front line attack in the Metz area last Armistice Day and held only slight hopes of ever seeing Andrew, Jr. — Andrew, Jr. was born Sept. 16 Pvt. Timko who recalled that he didn’t even get a “good look at England” was in Alsace-Lorraine on Armistice Day when the news came. With Patton’s Third Army, Pvt. Timko, a machine gunner and ammunition bearer, said the news only made his 58-pound machine gun seem heavier.” “From Nov. 8 to Nov. 16, we infantrymen waded through water up to our hips because of the record floods in the Clemery region. Muddy roads bogged down the march and rescues oi fellow infantrymen who sunk in the “soup’” past their knees were frequent,” Pvt. Timko said. “But Gen. Patton is a “standup-man,” the veteran added. “He wants you to keep going— keep driving, and we did.” “Snipers took their toll in these little towns but the Nazis surrendered readily when the pressure was on. The most dan* During the latter part of January, a young man, a person who needs no introduction to Verhovay readers, Pfc. John Sabo, U. S. Marines, was in town for a brief stay. John was as always, joyful at meeting with friends, pleased to be serving his Country during times of stress, and considerate of Verhovay’s : problems and future. I understand John met with Frank Balog and Steve Huzianyi during a short stay in Chicago. He’s a great Verhovayite—100 %. * * * T/Sgt. Arp Chontos hurried ,home from a Long Island Hospital on February 6th to be near his father during a surgical operation. His dad, Mr. Steve Choritos, of Terrace, Pa. is confined to the Montefiore Hospital in Oakland and reported as doing well. We wish him a speedy recovery. Arp, his eldest son, returned several months ago from the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations after a siege of 32 months. q : * if- * Dashing, handsome young Bill Pastor, of West St., Munhall, was home on furlough on February 11th, 1945. The young man posed a pleasant picture in his khaki uniform and neatly cocked overseas cap. Bill’s brother, Nick, with the Signal Corps, has been in the Pacific Theater of Operations for over a year. * * # Pfc James M. Gabocy, son of Mr. and Mrs. Steve Gabocy of Margaret St., Munhall, was wounded for the second time by fragments from a shell that hit the truck he was riding near Aachen, Germany. He is now recuperating at the U. S. Army Station Hospital in England. Jim sustained wounds the first time at St. Lo on July 27th, but returned to duty with his infantry unit when his wounds healed. He wtcy, awarded the Purple Heart. Jim has two brothers in the service: Lt. Steve Gabocy, Jr., ordnance man in France, and Air Cadet Fred Gabocy, stationed with the air forces in this country. * * latter
