World War II Patriots from Saugus

When Saugus felt the faces of war and personal loss: killed in combat, missing in action, seriously wounded, emotionally scarred and honored for their acts of valor and service to a grateful nation

Editor’s Note: Saugus native Janice K. Jarosz, a longtime Saugus historian and writer, compiled these short vignettes of Saugus men who served in World War II, including several who gave the ultimate sacrifice – their lives – for which they will be honored on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26.

By Janice K. Jarosz

  Bill McKinney, a Nazi Prisoner: Mr. and Mrs. John McKinney of 493 Central St. received news that their son, Pvt. William J. McKinney, 30, has been reported missing since January 20, and is now a prisoner of the Germans. Walter Spencer, 22, of Riverbank Road is also a prisoner of war in Germany.

Lt. Fairchild Missing in Action: Lt. Donald Fairchild, 4434 Walnut St., has been reported missing on a mission over Austria on March 31, 1945.

Frank Bloom in Jap Prison: Frank Bloom, 37, son of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Bloom of 11 Clayton Ave. is believed to be a prisoner in Japan, his parents learned in a letter from a former prisoner who has recently been liberated. Bloom has been away for seven years.

Cpl. J.L. Knights Wounded in Germany: Cpl. Knights, 20, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Knights, was wounded in action while participating in the D-Day invasion.

Distinguished Flying Cross for Local Boy: William Legrow, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Legrow, 13 Main St., has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for bombardment missions to Germany and enemy occupied territory.

Two Local Boys Killed in Pacific: Two East Saugus boys, who were playmates and neighbors for years, died within a month of each other fighting the Japs, their parents learned last night. They were PFC Vitold Glinski, 21, son of Mrs. Ursula Glinski, 1 Atherton St., and Marine Cpl. Alex Chojnowski, 26, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Chojnowski, of 2 Rhodes St.

Sgt. deStuben Wounded in Germany: Sgt. Albert deStuben, Jr., 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert deStuben, was wounded in action April 7 while leading his squad in Germany. One of his legs was blown off above the knee by an enemy shell.

W.C. Barrett Missing in Pacific: Walter Barrett, 20, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Barrett of 19 Pelham St., is missing in action according to a Navy telegram received by his parents. Barrett was aboard the destroyer USS Halligan that went down in Okinawa last week.

Dan Cameron Missing in Pacific: Mr. Irving Cameron, father, received word that his son is missing in action in the Pacific area. Cameron was aboard a destroyer off Okinawa. His brother, Irving Jr., is a prisoner of war in Germany.

Roy Buckless Survives L.S.T. Sinking: Seaman 1st Class Ray Buckless, 17, youngest of seven brothers in the armed forces, is home on leave with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Buckless, after surviving the sinking of the LST 447 off Okinawa last month. He entered the Navy on his 17th birthday.

Brothers Killed in Italy: Two Saugus brothers, PFC John Kasabuski, 21, and SSgt. Walter Kasabuski, 24, of 49 Collins Ave., were mortally wounded the same day during the last month of hostilities in Italy. John was killed instantly and Walter died April 27.

War Prisoner Two Years – Liberated: After two years in a German prison camp and still incapacitated by leg wounds sustained at the storming of Salerno in 1943, Pfc. Elbert J. Vickers, 25, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Vickers, 37 Walden Pond Ave., cabled his parents and told them “not to worry and that he was well.”

Pvt. Egan Home from German Prison Camp: Pfc. William Egan, 15 Baker St., taken prisoner on Dec. 19, is home on leave. His entire regiment was either killed or captured during the Battle of the Bulge. Prisoners marched for ten days with only one loaf of bread and a small amount of water to drink. Most of them suffered from frozen feet before the march was over.

Pfc. MacCrae Killed by Bomb: Pfc. William MacCrae, 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred MacCrae, of 66 Winter St., a prisoner of war since Nov. 1943, met his death in Stalag 4B on March 31 when American bombers accidentally blasted the camp, his parents have been informed.

Sgt. Caffarella War Prisoner: Sgt. Edward Caffarella of 185 Essex St., a prisoner of war for four months, is home on a 60-days leave before reporting for a further assignment.

Lt. McCullough Lost in Action over France: One of Greater Lynn’s outstanding airmen, First Lt. Phillip McCullough, 27, of Saugus Center, pilot of a fighter P-47 Thunderbolt and holder of the Air Medal and Oak Leaf Cluster, is missing in action after a raid over France March 20. His parents have been notified by the War Department.

Military Service for Lt. Daniels: Full military honors were held Wednesday for Lt. Laurence P. Daniels, U.S.M.C.R., who was killed in a plane crash on April 19.

Edward Dow and John Penney Honored: Tech Fifth Grade Edward Dow, 52 Adams Ave., has been awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in Bougainville. Lt. Jack Penney, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. Penney, of 125 Howard St., has been awarded a Purple Heart and a gold Leaf Cluster for several injuries received at Normandy Beach.

Four Saugus Brothers in Service: Four sons of Mr. and Mrs. Bartholomew Ciampa of 53 Bristow St. are serving in the armed forces: Tec. Sgt. James Ciamps, 32, Michael, 28, Rocco, 25, and Christie Ciampa.

Pvt. William Hobbs Killed in Italy: Pfc. William L. Hobbs, 35, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Hobbs, 46 Chestnut St., East Saugus, was killed in action somewhere in Italy on May 15. His parents were informed by the War Department last week.

Pfc. H. Joseph Berrett Killed in Action: Pfc. Harold J. Berrett, 20, son of John and the late Alice Berrett, of 8 Wilson St., has been killed in action in Burma, his father was informed Monday in a telegram from the War Department.

Five Sons of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ward in Service: Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ward of 529 Lincoln Avenue have five sons in the service. They are Robie, Kenneth, Seldon, Russell and Charles Ward, Jr.

Corp. Biffin Finds Chum in Prison Camp: His spirit low from lack of proper food in a German prisoner of war camp, Theodore P. Biffin, of 54 Jasper St., was asked one dark night for a match by a companion who inquired, “Where are you from, buddy?” Biffin replied, “From a small town in Massachusetts called Saugus.” Someone said, “Me too,” and it was Sgt. Walter B. Wetmore, of 74 Main St., Saugus, Mass.