Verhovayak Lapja, 1945 (28. évfolyam, 1-52. szám)
1945 / Verhovay Journal
July 25, 1945 Verhovay Journal Page 5 BUY U. S. WAR BONDS WOUNDED IN GERMANY They Gave Their Lives (Continued from Page 4) PFC. ALBERT SZABÓ Pfc. Albert Szabó, of RD 1, Perrysburg, Q., a member of Branch 194, Rossford, O., was wounded in action in Ge*)nn?jay in June. lie was hospitalize*! overseas and returned recently to the United States and jeeeives further treatment in -New Ycrfe. We sincerely hope that he will soon recover and return to his wife, Eva, who is anxiously awaiting him.-------------V------------STEPHEN PAPP, JR. an Aviation Machinists’ Mate 2/Class, age 21, a member of Branch 367, of 4020 Whitman Avenue, Cleveland, O., serves in the Pacific theatre of war since two years.------------V------------WHEN THE WIFE OBJECTS A life insurance man was discussing an insurance program with a man and his wife. The husband was quite convinced, but the wife objected, saying the budget would not stand it; that if the husband died she could go to work. The husband (not the life insurance man), turned to his wife and said: “Well, Mary, if that’s the way you feel about it, it would really be better if you would go to work right now, part time, because you wouldn’t have to earn nearly as much or work anywhere near as hard to earn enough to pay these premiums as you would if I were to die and you had to earn your entire livelihood.” To make a short story short, the sale was made, and the wife did not go to work either, but it brought home to her very vividly what the situation might be. (Hugh S. Bell) 162. PFC. STEVEN NAGY Pfc. Steven Nagy, third heroic dead member of Branch 174, Scranton, Pa., was killed in action in Germany on December 13, 1944 at the age of 33. Mrs. Catherine Nagy, 1714 Bundy Street, Scranton, Pa., first received notice that her son was missing in action as of the above date. For some time the family” entertained hopes that Steve will be liberated with other prisoners, until one day they received a letter from his best friend in which he asked them to give up hope, for Steve would never again return. At that time, however, he couldn’t write more. After the conclusion of the European war another letter arrived from this friend. He wrote: “On the 13th of December Steve and I found shelter in a fox-hole. The fire was terrific and we expected to die any minute. We talked of our loved ones at home while grenades and incendiary bombs kept exploding left and right. Finally one hit us, too. I got my share, but Steve died instantly. How I ever got to a hospital, I don’t know to this day. Forgive me for waiting that long with this letter, but up to now we were forbidden to divulge information of this kind ” With this letter the mother went to the Red Cross which contacted the War Department. A thorough investigation was ordered resulting in the confirmation of the story revealed by Steve’s best friend. Thus, more than half a year after the “missing-in-action” announcement the War Department informed Mrs. Nagy that her son was killed in action on December 13th, 1944, and expressed its regrets because of the delay which was caused by unusual circumstances pertaining to the death of Pfc. Steven Nagy. Our deep sympathy goes to the family of Pfc. Steve Nagy, the 67th Verhovayan to lose his life in the Westem-European theatre of W'ar. 163. 2nd Lt. EDWARD J. SOKEY Mrs. Stella Nay Sokey, 3171 Grand Ave., Omaha, Nebraska, received notice a year ago to the effect that her husband, 2nd Lieutenant Edward J. Sokey, was missing in action over Ploesti, Romania, as of June 24, 1944. A year passed since. This month the War Department advised her of the presumptive death of her husband. The letter contains the description of the circumstances of his death, as follows: “Since your husband, Second Lt. Edward J. Sokey, Air Corps, was reported missing in action 24 June, 1944, the War Department has entertained the hope that he survived and that information v, ould be revealed dispelling the uncertainty surrounding his absence. However, as in many cases ,the conditions of war-fare deny us such information. The record concerning your husband shows that he was a crew-member aboard a B-24 Liberator Bomber air-craft which was shot down and crashed near Plovdid, Bulgaria, while on a combat mission to Ploesti, Romania. The aircraft was attacked by three enemy pursuit planes, damaging one engine and causing the aircraft to hurst into flames. Your husband’s aircraft was last seen on a hilltop and it is the belief of the sole surviving crew member that the others died in the plane either prior or subsequent to the crash. Full consideration has recently been given to all available information bearing on the absence of your husband, including all recoids, reports and circumstances. These have been carefully reviewed and considered. In view of the fact that twelve months have now expired without the receipt of evidence to support a continued presumption of survival, the War Department must terminate such absence by a presumptive finding of death.” Edward J. Sokey, a bombardier on the plane which was shot down, was born in Omaha, Nebr., on December 29, 1920. He was a member of Branch 278, Omaha, Nebr., and is the first heroic dead member of that branch. He is the second son of Mr. and Mrs. John Sokey to pay the Supreme Sacrifice. His brother, Sgt. Alee Sokey was killed in action last year, in Normandy. In addition to his wife, the 21st war-widow of our Association, and his parents, he is survived by his sister, June, and three brothers: Pfc. John Sokey, who serves in New Guinea with an anti-aircraft unit, A/S Raymond Sokey, who serves with the Merchant Marines and Albert Sokey who recently received his honorable discharge. Edward Sokey played an important part in the “softening up” process of the German armed forces which leaned heavily on the oil fields in Ploesti for supplies needed in aerial warfare. The loss of these fields had much to do with the final collapse of the German air-lorce. The heroic men who were entrusted with the dangerous missions of bombing Ploesti, have made an inestimable contribution to the victory of our armed forces. The memory of their deeds will always live with us. May the widow, the parents, the sister and the brothers of Edward Sokey find some measure of comfort in the certainty that he did not die in vain and that his services will always be remembered by a grateful nation. 164. T/SGT. JOHN OROSZ John Orosz, toe, was a married man. His wife, Mrs. Flora Orosz, 539 W. Main St., Lock Haven, Pa., received a letter from the commanding officer of her husband, in confirmation of a telegram by the War Department announcing the death of her husband. The letter follows: “With deep and heartfelt regrets, I extend to you at this 1 time my sincerest sympathies in regard to the loss of your husband. His absence is truly realized by this organization, his friends and comrades as well as by you, because of his performance, his sacrifice, devotion and loyalty. John was killed in action 2 April 1945 in Western Germany when the rifle company, with which he was serving as a platoon sergeant, encountered stiff enemy resistance while in attack. Death occured instantly when John was struck by bullets írom an enemy machine gun which fired on the scouting patrol which he was leading. John was laid to rest in an American cemetery in Western Germany with fullest military honor with a Catholic Chaplain performing the last religious rites. It is only through effort and sacrifice that certain goals are achieved and high ideals are retained. The recognition ■ of responsibility and the fulfilling of certain missions which | your husband helped to accomplish through the highest of ' sacrifices, are those elements which make for a better world in which we live and in which we believe. This letter is written in behalf of the Battalion as well as myself. May the Eternal Comforter be at your side in this hour of mourning to help you to keep on as before. Sincerely yours Jack J. Richardson, Lt. Col. Commanding Officer.” John Orosz was born in Johnstown, Pa., on April 16, 1919. He was a mebraer of Branch 8, Johnstown, Pa., which lost in him its third member during this war. He is the 68th fatal j casualty of our Association on the Western-European front. His wife is the 22nd war-widow of our Association. We share the sorrow of his wife and family and express our sincere sympathy. THE MEMORY OF OUR 164 HEROIC DEAD SHALL REMAIN WITH US FOR EVER.
