Verhovayak Lapja, 1946 (29. évfolyam, 1-52. szám)

1946 / Verhovay Journal

June 26, 1946

They Gave Their Lives

PFC. ZOLTÁN PUSKAS

143RD HEROIC DEAD MEMBER OF THE VERHOV AY

was killed in action in Germany on April 4th, 1945, as reported a month later in the Journal.

Pfc. Zoltán Puskas, former member of Branch 83, New York, N. Y., son of Mrs. Emma Puskas, 305 East 85th Street,

187.) 1st LT. ALEC SABO

According to previous announcements, the Verhovay Building was to be dedicated to the memory of the 186 Verhovayans who made the Supreme Sacrifice. This was announced in the hope that no more names will have to be added to the list of Verhovay’s fatal casualties. To our great sorrow, however, new military death-reports received since dealt a bitter blow to our hopes.

Mr. and Mrs. Dan Sabo, P. O. Box 76, Hiller, Pa., received the following communication from the War Department:

“Since your son, First Lieutenant Alec Sabo, Air Corps, was reported missing 29 April, 1945, the War Department has entertained the hope that he survived . . . He was a crew member on a C-46 (Commando) cargo plane which was lost during the return flight of a cargo mission from Sookerating, India, which is approximately twenty-five miles north of Kunming, China. Your son’s plane was last heard from when it made a routine radio check about 20 minutes after departure from Chanyi. The reason for its loss and the place where it went down are not known. When the plane was two hours overdue, a thorough search of the entire route was begun, and all search and rescue units as well as ground intelligence groups were alerted. An intensive search was carried on for over a week by other pilots who flew this route. All results were negative.

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 . . .”

Alec Sabo was a member of Branch 43 and is the second fatal casualty of that branch.

188.) ST./SGT. JOSEPH M. KING

The portraits of seventeen heroic dead Verhovayans were presented to their next of kin by the Supreme President of our Association on March 17 th, in Detroit, Mich. , A tablet added to the portrait series, bearing the name of Joseph M. King, then missing in action since 1944, indicated, however, that there was little hope, if any, for his return. A letter from the War Department confirming the sad fate of this young fellow-member was recently received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles King, 8352 Vanderbilt Avenue, Detroit, 17, Mich.

"Staff Sergeant Joseph M. King, Air Corps—reads the letter—was reported missing in action on April 16, 1944. Information in the hands of the War Department indicates that your son was a crew member of a B-24 (Liberator) aircraft which departed an air base at Nadzab, in southwestern New Guinea, on a bombardment mission to Hollandia, in northern New Guinea on 16 April, 1944. On the return flight this plane was lost because of poor visibility, in the vicinity of Madang, New Guinea. No trace of your son has been found since that time . . . The War Department must now terminate your son’s absence by a presumptive finding of death ...

An appraisal of the sacrifice made by your son in the service of his country compels in us feelings of humility and respect . . . May Providence grant a measure of relief from the anguish and anxiety you have experienced during these many months.”

VERHOVAY SPORTSMEN of BRANCH 164

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

Verhovay Journal_____

Our slowly moving reconversions and readjustments will take this scribe away from the Windy City for some time. Plans are in the making for a long journey which will take me away, for the time being, from all Verhovay activities. This means that my columns will be absent from our Journal in the old form 1 have used for six or seven years. Then again, don’t be surprised if Yours truly will be back at this typewriter next month before the deadline arrives.

Let me tell you frankly, as J have been, telling you for many many years, that it is not the ideals of fraternalism which makes me take this leave of absence but matters which really belong to myself.

Writing for the Journal was a pleasure and a good pastime although very spicy remarks were “thrown at me” at times. I have learned a lot by writing my column; learned to look at matters from a different angle; an angle that I hope will bring me the wanted satisfaction in the future.

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MARGARET STANGRET

The officers, of Branch 164 have promised to hold my position open and I appreciate their kind thoughts. It would really be something to appreciate if I could look forward to reading the happenings of my friends in our Journal in the future. Circumstances will not allow me to write but I will be looking (not for my) but our column very eagerly.

Being the month of June, my next subject will be what this month is noted for. Among the weddings that took place among our members, Margaret Irocky’s marriage to William Schneider was the outstanding event. With seven beautifully dressed bridesmaids to proceed a beautiful bride, the church ceremony was an impressive occasion. The re-Joseph M. King was born on July 20, 1923, and joined the armed forces in March 1943. He was a member of Branch 511, Detroit, Mich.

189.) SGT. PETER SABO

Peter Sabo, a former member of Branch 288, St. Clairsville, O., was born in Crescent, O., on March 18, 1922. He was a young boy yet when starting to work in the mines of the Lorain Coal and Dock Company. On November 1st, 1942, he entered military service.

His mother, Mrs. Anna Sabo, St. Clairsville, O., received a telegram a year ago to the effect that her son was missing in action as of June 5, 1945. This notice was followed by letters from Chaplain Cpt. John Barringer and Major Charles Miller, the latter the Commanding Officer of fellow-member Peter Sabo, informing her as to the circumstances of the disappearance of her son.

“Sgt. Sabo—wrote Major Miller—took off successfully from his base in Tinian in the Mariana Islands and was part of our squadron formation over the target (the Japanese city of Kobe), when his aircraft was hit by enemy flak, causing the engine to catch on fire. Peter’s plane continued to fly despite the battle damage for a distance of approximately forty-five miles toward the coast line in an attempt to reach our Air Sea Rescue facilities. About five miles from the coast and still over enemy territory, ten parachutes were seen to come out of the airplane. Immediately afterwards the wing came off and the plane plunged earthward. During the race toward the ocean all our planes protected Sgt. Sabo’s disabled aircraft and shot down two enemy fighters who attempted to molest him.

Sgt. Sabo has been a member of this organization since December, 1944. During this period of time he had made many friends who were deeply shocked to learn of his ill fated flight. Greatly admired for his loyalty and devotion to duty as a soldier and respected for his ability and technical skill as a Right Gunner, Peter contributed immeasurably to the success of the combat missions in which he participated.”

Slowly the months dragged on, while the despairing mother wrote frantic inquiries to the War Department and the officers of her son. She received several replies assuring her that everything possible was done to locate her son.

A few days ago, finally, Mrs. Sabo received the tragic notice that no subsequent report has been received concerning the fate of her son or of any member of his crew and that, as a result, the War Department was compelled to terminate his absence by a presumptive finding of death . . .

Sgt. Peter Sabo is the second fatal casualty of Branch 288.

The bronze-tablet to be placed in the lobby of the Verhovay Building shall now commemorate the 189 members of the Verhovay F. I. Association who had given their lives in the defense of their country. This building shall stand as a tribute to the heroism of these men and a symbol of our sympathy for their next of kin. It shall proclaim, for manymany years to come, our faith in the principles for whose victory they had laid down their lives.

The mourning families of these heroes are assured of the lasting sympathy of all members of the Verhovay.

THE MEMORY OF OUR 189 HEROIC DEAD SHALL REMAIN WITH US FOR EVER.

ception in the evening was an affair that over 300 guests will long remember. Our, now streamlined, senior secretary (lost 22 pounds) acted as Master of Ceremonies, a job he executed pretty well. The formal gowns and tuxedos made a wonderful picture. Speaking of picture, three photographers were on hand to commemorate the affair with over 3000 feet of film taken.

I wish to extend my sincere wishes for a lifetime of happiness to Marge and Bill.

Frank Kolovitz, youngest son of the Kolovitz family, said “I do” on June 23rd. Frankie, as you know, has spent considerable time • in Africa and Europe.

A 25th Wedding Anniversary was celebrated June 1st by Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Stefely, an 100% Verhovay family which naturally includes their grandchildren.

I am informed that our Chairman Irocky and his wife will celebrate their 30th Anniversary this month. I have no details about this affair.

Your correspondent takes pleasure in announcing the arrival of a boy in the Feifar family. Julia Feifar gave birth to her second son and everyone is doing fine including “papa” Feifar.

Here is a delayed announcement. Charlene Anne Robb is the first child born to the young Robb couple, formerly of Johneston, Penn.

I also wish to report the arrival of a young lady in the Sita family. This makes Mrs. Rak, our lady vice-president, a three-time Godmother in the same family.

However, there is no news yet from the following expectant mothers; Mrs. Lowry (former Vilma Janik), Mrs. Irene Vash, Mrs. John Lord, Mrs. Steve Risko, Vilma Kapitar (whose husbands name I still don’t know), Mrs. Robert Wiggins (That’s Marge Barna, our juvenile secretary’s youngest daughter), Mrs. Joseph Kolozy and Mrs. Midge Rettmann. (In Midge’s case, wait until September. Editor). I may have left some name out and if I did I am sorry.

The Army had released several of our boys. I’ll start {he new list with Kenneth Kovack to be followed by Theodore Luga, Paul Ivan, Arthur Irocky and Alphonse Vermeersch.

It is with regret I announce the death of ex-chairman Bela Laky, who, as a convention delegate, contributed to the sucsess of our organization. The last Fraternal rites were given by our Chairman Irocky.

Sickness and accidents ran rampant in the past few weeks. Irene Kaszas, the little clerk in the bank around the corner, fell off a horse in Lincoln Park and had a few unpleasant days trying to sit around the family table. With the assistance of Dr. Friend, She’s doing nicely now.

Little Barbara Feiffar had her parents and her grandpa (our one and only Kish Bácsi) on the go for nearly ten days but she is well on her way to sound health now.

It took a couple of stitches to mend “Susie” Margaret Kunstadt’s head when she fell out of her high chair.

The Damask children had red quarantee sign on the door of their parent’s home which kept them inside for over four weeks.

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