Raritan-online seeks your help in compiling information on Raritan’s Bronze Star & Silver Star recipients from World War II
	The town of Raritan has as part of its history the heroics of John Basilone. His well-known citation for his Congressional Medal of Honor can be found etched in bronze letters at the base of the Basilone Statue. But what of the other Raritan men who served in World War II who received medals for heroism such as The Bronze Star and The Silver Star. Are their citations to be found anywhere? Unfortunately, no organized list of them was ever complied. There are a few reasons for this lack of record keeping. First - The U.S. military’s World War II record warehouse was destroyed by fire decades ago. But even those records were sporadic at best. Another reason was that the most common award -The Bronze Star - was presented in the field of battle and no centralized office compiled an ongoing list of recipients.
	Fortunately for the historian today, the newspapers of the 1940s ran articles when they were informed that a local soldier was honored for heroism. A look through the local newspapers from the 1940s has allowed this author to compile the first organized list of the Raritan soldiers who were awarded The Bronze Star and The Silver Star in World War II. This list is by no means complete since some honors went unreported as the newspapers were only notified of the awarding of a medal by the family of the recipient, not by an official list provided by the military. Some soldiers did not choose to reveal their heroics in their letters home during the war and even after the war seldom spoke of their battle experiences. The Bronze Star was awarded to at least 18 Raritan veterans. The Bronze Star was first authorized mid-war in February of 1944 although it could be awarded retroactively back to the beginning of the war in 1941. The Bronze Star was designed to be awarded just days after a battle by the officers who participated in the battle. Previous awards, which were very infrequent, had to go up the chain of command through a long approval process by the military brass who were far removed from the battle. The introduction of The Bronze Star was a tremendous morale booster to the frontline fighting men.
	There are two types of Bronze Stars that were awarded. The majority of them were the “V” for Valor type - which meant that it was earned in combat. The other type was a plain Bronze Star without the “V” awarded for logistic, organizational, or clerical support to a unit that was in the battlefield. There was, and has always been, some controversy that these non-combat awards should be called something else. Although historians will often note that our war production, logistic systems and organizational skills gave the U.S. soldier on the front line a tremendous competitive advantage. Thus the support functions of the war should not be underestimated. The Silver Star is awarded for heroic actions in combat only. Its standard is much higher than the Bronze Star, thus, less Silver Stars were awarded compared to the Bronze Star. Newspaper records show that there were two Silver Star recipients who came from Raritan. For one of these soldiers, we have his citation and a photo. For the other, we have very little information.
	The Silver Star recipient that we have information for is Robert Yuhas who lived at 50 Thompson Street. His citation reads as follows: Private Robert A. Yuhas has been awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action against the enemy on Nov 5, 1944, in the vicinity of Metz, France. With his contact patrol receiving disastrous mortar and machine gun fire while reconnoitering near Fort de Guise, he ignored painful wounds to crawl toward a German bunker. Intrepidly firing one bazooka round into the fortification and silencing a machine gun, he moved on to a defensive trench and launched a second round which destroyed another machine gun, killing or wounding the crew. Private Yuhas’s gallant deeds permitted the patrol to withdraw from a desperate situation reflecting great credit on him and on the military service.
	The other Silver Star recipient from Raritan is Chester Gulick. The record stating that he was awarded the Silver Star can be found just once in a very small article in a 1945 newspaper which contained no photo or citation. He lived at 51 N. Cornell Boulevard, “Raritan”. (That address, which is on the border of Raritan – Somerville, is today part of Somerville. But in 1945 it was part of Raritan. The town borders were slightly adjusted after the war.) Raritan-online hopes that some residents can help us gather information on Chester Gulick.
A full list of the Bronze Star recipients appears below
Some recepients still have connections to Raritan today. Albert Navatto’s niece, Jo-Ann Liptak, is the mayor of Raritan. Philip Orlando would later build the Basilone Statue that stands proudly on Somerset Street. Reverend Koskamp, who was killed later in the war, had his story covered by The Breeze last year. His assistant during the war, Carl Montgomery, who was taken POW with him, rode in the 2012 Basilone Parade in his honor. Joe Garo’s wife still lives in Raritan. Joe, who passed away in 1999, had a local plumbing business for decades. His wife still gets calls for his service. Raritan-online is asking its readers to help close the information gap on these men. For those where there is no photo or where the citation is "Not Known” - we ask the public for their help. If anyone has photos or articles or family contact information for these men, please email Bruce Doorly at bdoorly@verizon.net. Finally, we realize this list is not complete, so if anyone has evidence of other Raritan men who were awarded The Bronze Star or the Silver Star in World War II, please contact us as well as this list will be updated.
“V” for Valor Bronze Star Citations
	Joseph L. Garo – 88 Thompson Street He was with the 42th Reconnaissance Squadron fighting the Germans in France. A Bronze Star Medal is awarded to Sergeant Joseph L. Garo who distinguished himself by meritorious service during the period from Sept. 15th to Dec. 5th 1944, in France. Sergeant Garo has done outstanding work as a reconnaissance sergeant. By his willingness to volunteer for hazardous tasks, he has proven himself to be a man of outstanding leadership. His reports from patrolling were always clear and concise and through his knowledge of reconnaissance, his reports contained the necessary elements of facts that headquarters desired. His devotion to duty and tireless energy is in accordance with the highest standards of military service. Joe Garo had a second act of heroism which in adherence to military protocol is added to his Bronze Star and called an Oak Leaf Cluster – that citation read: “He along with one other man entered the town under a flag of truce to convince the enemy that they were greatly outnumbered and to continue fighting was hopeless. He endangered his life to prevent any possible injury to the rest of the platoon. The total enemy in town was estimated at 50 with machine guns and light armor. These enemy soldiers could have taken many lives of our attacking force but through his efforts the town was taken without a shot being fired. His courage and devotion to duty is in accordance with the highest standards of military service.”
No photo available If anyone has a photo please email bdoorly@verizon.net	Charles Glens - 82 First Avenue He was with 77th infantry division on the island of Ie Shima fighting the Japanese on April 20th, 1945 Approaching the Battalion dump, Sergeant Glen’s carriers were fired on by enemy 47 mm antitank guns. Realizing the urgent need for ammunition, he refused to disperse his vehicle to deflated positions, but ordered the convoy to continue through the enemy fire. He road on the lead Amtrak without protection and pointed out lanes of travel to the driver. His persistence in accomplishing his mission contributed materially to the success of the attack.
	John Soriano - 28 First Ave. While his CITATION is NOT KNOWN - a general description of actions is known: John was a gunner serving on a PT boat in the Pacific. He was on 50 patrols and 5 special missions in the New Guinea area. His entire PT boat squadron, as a unit, was highly decorated for destroying over 100 Japanese vessels and ravaging enemy shore installations on various islands in the South Pacific.
No photo available If anyone has a photo please email bdoorly@verizon.net	John Pridala – 5 Loomis Street He was with 77th infantry in the Philippines fighting the Japanese early in 1945 Private Pridala, a rifleman, disregarding his own safety, on several occasions helped to beat off enemy counter-attacks. On one occasion he pushed ahead of friendly front lines and killed two enemy snipers who were harassing his squad. This act permitted his squad to move forward more rapidly. Private Pridala’s coolness and level-headedness were an encouragement to the men of his squad
No photo available If anyone has a photo please email bdoorly@verizon.net	Edward J. Salek – 32 N. Gaston Ave. He was serving with the 77th infantry fighting the Japanese in Okinawa For meritorious service in connection with military operations against the enemy near Urasoe-Mura, Okinawa, on May 7th 1945. When Company A of … Infantry was sent forward to install its telephone. He reached the position the company was to occupy, but found his fellow troops had not yet arrived. Private Salek waited for hours, during which time he was under several intense enemy artillery mortal concentrations. He choose to remain at his post so that Company A could have communication with battalion headquarters when it arrived. His disregard for his own safety, and his obedience to orders were an inspiration to all.
No photo available If anyone has a photo please email bdoorly@verizon.net	Francis Sipski – 49 Frelinghuysen Avenue He was with the 899th field artillery battalion of the 75th division in Holland fighting the Germans Feb 21st, 1945 Near Weert, Private Sipski and another field lineman made their way over 800 yards of open terrain, under enemy observation and machine gun crossfire to successfully repair communications wire broken by German mortar fire. The communications thus restored between a forward observer and the artillery batteries enabled fire to be accurately adjusted on enemy positions and materially aided in defeat of a stubborn enemy. Private Sipski is deserving of high commendation for his courage and devotion in the face of enemy fire.
	Michael T. Terlizzi – 79 First Avenue He was serving with the 102th infantry fighting against Germany Feb 23rd, 1945 When his company was taken under intense enemy fire, Sergeant Terlizzi, risked his life to set up his machine gun in an exposed position and bring fire on the enemy. He succeeded in killing and wounded a large number of them. And by diverting enemy fire in his own direction he enabled his company to complete the preparation of a defensive position. The undaunted courage and devotion to duty which Sergeant Terlizzi displayed reflect highest credit upon himself and military service.
	Louis Verci (Luigi Vece)– 11 Loomis Street He was serving with the 30th Division in Belgium fighting the Germans in December of 1944. Private Luigi Vece was awarded the bronze star for heroic achievement in action on Dec. 21 1944 in Belgium. He and a group of his comrades were attacked by a large enemy force, supported by vehicles from which heavy caliber machine guns were firing. When a withdraw was considered expedient, Private Vece voluntarily remained behind to fire at the enemy until comrades had reached the new positions, and only then did he move back himself, firing as he went.
	Frank Russo - 49 Anderson St He was serving with the 15th Cavalry in a tank outfit. He participated in the Normandy invasion and later fought the Nazis through Europe. Sergeant Frank Russo … for meritorious service in connection with military operations against the enemy from July 1944 through March 1945, in France, Holland, and Germany. Frank Russo rendered outstanding service … on all occasions he displayed sound judgment and great calmness under fire. His great concern for the welfare of his men won him the praise of his superiors and respect of his fellow soldiers.
	Jos Ruggiero - 63 Second Ave. While his CITATION is NOT KNOWN the newspaper said it was for meritorious service from April 5th to 19th. He told his family that “He was on a special mission to an undisclosed destination at that time.”
No photo available If anyone has a photo please email bdoorly@verizon.net	Dominick Orrechio - 8 Sherman Ave. While is CITATION is NOT KNOWN, it is known that he served with a tank battalion that moved into Germany. He worked in communications in the supply company. His unit fought as part of the 90th division. They got into the fighting early in the battle for Europe seeing action at Normandy and other battles.
	Dominick Cimino - 33 Canal St. (Citation paraphrase) He was with a medical unit attached to the 77th Infantry Division. For meritorious service in action against the enemy at Ormoc and Matagob, Phillippine Islands on December 13th and December 23rd 1944.
	Anthony Carlino - 27 Somerset St. CITATION NOT KNOWN
	Cosimo Innamorato - 4 Bell Ave. was member of the 7th army in Europe Sergeant (then Technician Fourth Grade), Corps of Engineers, Headquarters and Service Company, 649th Engineer Topographic Battalion, for meritorious service in direct support of combat operations from 19 August 1944 to 15 April 1945, in France and Germany. As Motor Sergeant in the Survey Platoon, Sergeant Innamorato kept his transportation equipment in excellent condition. Lack of vital repair parts did not deter him, for his thorough knowledge of his job and his ability to improvise parts overcame that difficulty whenever it arose. The successful functioning of the Survey Platoon in the field depended upon it mobility. Sergeant Innamorato assured the mobility. His high sense of duty and his successful achievement of his purpose reflected great credit on him and the Armed Forces of the United States.
	Antonio Innamorato - 4 Bell Ave. CITATION NOT KNOWN
	Robert Krachun 86 First Ave. CITATION NOT KNOWN
	Rowland Koskamp Reverend Third Reformed Church Somerset St. CITATION NOT KNOWN
Non “V” for Valor Bronze Star Citations
	Philip Orlando – 41 E. Somerset Street Sergeant, Division Headquarters, who distinguished himself by meritorious service in connection with military operations against the enemy on 18 June 1944 in France. Displaying his devotion to duty, aggressive initiative, and capacity for hard work and long hours, Sgt Orlando performed his duties as Journal Clerk in the G-3 Section in an outstanding manner. Although the Division was subjected to three fierce enemy counterattacks, Sgt Orlando’s expert judgment, technical skill and personnel supervision contributed materially to the consistently efficient operation of his section. Sgt Orlando’s actions were, at all times, exceptionally meritorious and worthy of commendation.
	Albert Navatto – 4 West Somerset Street Dec 1944 – May 1945 in France and Germany “With outstanding initiative, leadership, and devotion to duty, Sergeant Navatto contributed immeasurably to the establishment and maintenance of the billets and messes for all officers and enlisted men of Headquarters, 6th Army Group. Due to the rapid movement of the headquarters, he was often required to work long and tiring hours in order to meet the allotted time schedule. By his remarkable ingenuity and ability to cope with unforeseen circumstances, Sqt Navatto enabled the advance headquarters, 6th army group to function successfully.”