The History of the Law Park War Memorial and the stories of those who perished. Notebook 2024-6
Introduction
It all started when a long time Briarcliff Manor resident visited the Historical Society and showed us the brass plaque in the picture above. This raised a number of questions: What was this? How did it relate to the present war memorial? It’s clearly quite old, probably dating back to just after the First World War. Where had it been all this time? Since Memorial Day was approaching, we thought that it was appropriate to take a look at the history of the War Memorial. This forms the first part of this notebook.
You look at the War Memorial and see the names there, but what do those looking know about the people behind the names, real, living people who gave their lives for their county. The second part of this notebook attempts to at least partially address this.
We put the notebook together quickly so that we could get it out by Memorial Day, so it’s a little rough. The are a few things we’d like to explore more, and we will. We hope you will be patient.
The text that follows often refers to “Communique”. During WWII Briarcliff Manor produced a series of newsletters entitled “Communique”. The series ran from December 1942- September 1945. The reason for its creation was given in the very first issue:
“Communique has been created by the people of Briarcliff Manor to provide their boys and girls who are serving in our nation’s armed forces news of the village that will be of interest or amusement and to provide an exchange for news between Manorites in the service.” It’s a fascinating read.
The BMSHS has a complete set. The Final Issue, September 1945 has a full Honor Roll of all who served in WWII.
The War Memorials
We imagine that most people in Briarcliff Manor are familiar with the War Memorial in Law Memorial Park. It’s up by the Pavilion, near the stone lantern. The Memorial Day service, which will take place tomorroow will be held right in front of it.
It looks like it’s been there forever doesn’t it? Well, that’s not exactly the case. It was actually built in 2001. According to an article in the Gazette, May 10-16, 2001:
Law Park remains under construction, but the new War Memorial there and surrounding area are all ready for the Village of Briarcliff Manor’s annual Memorial Day observance in two weeks. The new memorial was built – by one of the masons working on the Trump National Golf Course – after it was determined that the former memorial, which village and local American Legion officials determined would be too close to the new bathhouse currently under construction could not be readily moved, about 50 feet to the east, due to the extensive use of cement in building it. The plaques from the former memorial were, however, able to be transferred to the new one.
So, we know that the current War Memorial was built in 2001, but what about the one that preceded it, the cement structure that couldn’t be moved. After a little research we’ve discovered that the topics under discussion around 1952 at the Briarcliff Community Committee were: “a War Memorial, Community Chest, Historical Committee, and improved Recreational Facilities”. We also discovered that according to the book Our Village: Briarcliff Manor, N.Y.: 1902 To 1952, “As of ca. 1952, special national gatherings assembled at the War Memorial Monument every May 30th, and crosses there honored those of the Briarcliff Community who had died for their country.”
This suggests that this War Memorial was built in 1952.
So, did Briarcliff Manor really not have a War Memorial until 1952? We think it all depends on how you define a War Memorial. You will recall that two holidays commemorate those who served their country during war time. Veteran’s Day commemorates all who served, while Memorial Day commemorates those who died in service to their country. We believe that prior to the 1952 War Memorial the Village had Honor Rolls, which listed everyone who served. There was certainly what looks like a wooden Honor Roll in the late 1940s, but it looks like a temporary structure.
And that brings us back to the brass plaque above. Remember that? The inscription on it reads:
“This tablet commemorates those of Briarcliff Manor who served their country during the World War 1917-1918.”
What it does not mention is the names of people who died. Could it be that the Village wanted a War Memorial that commemorated only those who died, which is what the 1952 War Memorial provided, maybe for the first time?
We found the story of the brass plaque to be particularly fascinating. The 2001 article in the Gazette mentioned above continues:
American Legion Post Commander Larry Reilly, who coordinated the project said that it was discovered while the former memorial was being dismantled by village public works employees that it literally had been built atop a much smaller memorial. ‘Covered over’ and hidden from view, people apparently had forgotten about it over the years. That earlier memorial had a simple bronze plaque that dedicated it to local servicemen killed during World War I, though it does not list any names (as does the current one).
This same Larry Reilly is the long-time Briarcliff Manor resident mentioned in the first paragraph above as the person who brought the brass plaque to us. He also brought some photographs showing how the plaque looked when it was discovered (see above). It was not in good condition. However, the American Legion and/or Larry himself have restored it to what we imagine was its close to its original condition and it now looks wonderful. Our thanks to Larry and the American Legion.
That’s what we know at the moment of the history of the War Memorial. We recognize that it’s incomplete and might contain inaccuracies. We welcome comments, suggestions, additions, corrections etc.
There are a couple of other war memorials in Law Park: The first of these is the Koelsch Memorial (see below). If you frequent Law Park, you’ve probably seen it. You may also have read the text on the plaque below. For those who haven’t, It briefly tells the story of Lt. John Kelvin Koelsch, a son of Briarcliff Manor who died October 16, 1951, in the line of duty at a Prisoner of War Camp in North Korea, during the Korean War. He was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously, August 2, 1955. His medal of honor citation reads:
“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with a Navy helicopter rescue unit. Although darkness was rapidly approaching when information was received that a marine aviator had been shot down and was trapped by the enemy in mountainous terrain deep in hostile territory, Lt. (j.g.) Koelsch voluntarily flew a helicopter to the reported position of the downed airman in an attempt to effect a rescue. With an almost solid overcast concealing everything below the mountain peaks, he descended in his unarmed and vulnerable aircraft without the accompanying fighter escort to an extremely low altitude beneath the cloud level and began a systematic search. Despite the increasingly intense enemy fire, which struck his helicopter on one occasion, he persisted in his mission until he succeeded in locating the downed pilot, who was suffering from serious burns on the arms and legs. While the victim was being hoisted into the aircraft, it was struck again by an accurate burst of hostile fire and crashed on the side of the mountain. Quickly extricating his crewmen and the aviator from the wreckage, Lt. (j.g.) Koelsch led them from the vicinity in an effort to escape from hostile troops, evading the enemy forces for nine days and rendering such medical attention as possible to his severely burned companion until all were captured. Up to the time of his death while still a captive of the enemy, Lt. (j.g.) Koelsch steadfastly refused to aid his captors in any manner and served to inspire his fellow prisoners by his fortitude and consideration for others. His great personal valor and heroic spirit of self-sacrifice throughout sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.”
For more on the story of Lt. Koelsch see: John Kelvin Koelsch - Briarcliff Manor's own medal of honor winner - Notebook Vol. 2023-4
And finally, there’s the 9-11 Memorial in Law Memorial Park. There’s another one outside the Fire Station.
Those Who Perished
World War I
Ninety-one men from the village enlisted in World War I. No pictures of those from Briarcliff Manor who perished are available at present.
Howard Frame No details discovered other than that he died at Georgia Military Station in January 1918. His body was removed to Kingston, NY.
Ernest Lu Van Lu, 2nd Engineer, 2nd Divion, U.S. Army was killed in action in France, where he is buried in the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetry.
World War II
All descriptions are taken from Mary Cheever’s “The Changing Landscape. A History of Briarcliff Manor-Scarborough”. Photographs, where available, are taken from “A Memorial. 1775-1983” by the Ossining Historical Society.
365 men from the Village of Briarcliff Manor enlisted to fight in World War II. Nine names appear on the War Memorial.
Second Lieutenant W. Sherman Burns Jr.
Second Lieutenant W. Sherman Burns Jr., U.S. Marine Aviation Corps, was killed July 23, 1943, when his plane crashed during a training flight in California. Lieutenant Burns enlisted in the Naval Air Corps in September 1942, received his commission and wings in Pensacola , Florida, transferred to the Marine Air Corps, and following his marriage, in Briarcliff, to Elsie Dineson of Ossining, reported to California. Besides his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. Sherman Burns and his widow, Burns left two brothers, Captain Ashley J. Burns, U.S. Marine Corps, and Aviation Cadet Bruce Burns. In his column “Cheering Section”, Harry Addis wrote of the death of “Bunny” Burns:
“I am sure his tragic passing has been the same shock to you as it has to me. All who every knew him on the field of sports knew him for the fine competitor and able athlete that he was. To us his loss is more than the loss of a soldier, it is the loss of a real friend and gentleman”.
In August 1943, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Matthes received word that their son, Second Lieutenant Charles H. Matthes (no picture available) had been missing in action since July 26. Lieutenant Matthes, a navigator with the United States Air Force, had been stationed in England since the early part of June and was reported missing following an attack on Hanover, Germany. Mayor Schuman wrote in the 1943 of “Communique”:
“The barberry bushes loaded with red berries against a dark green background of rhododendrons made a Christmas-Like picture before the home on North State Road. Parade! A figure dribbling the ball down the floor for a shot – no, he’s passing to Squee [Garvey] – to Harry [Addis?] – there it goes, clean basket. Teamwork that does it. On a bomber it’s the same only more so, and a lot of kids here and yonder go on playing basketball because of that bomber trip taken by Charlie Matthes and his buddies.”
Harry Addis listed Charles Matthes on his all-star basketball team. On the Honor Roll of the last issue of “Communique”, September 1945, Lieutenant Charlie Matthes was still listed as missing in action.
Colonel Paul Hazelton
Colonel Paul Hazelton served in World War I in the aviation section of the Signal Corps. He re-entered the army in December 1941 with the rank of major and served as resident representative of the Ford River Rouge Aviation Plant. Following his promotion to lieutenant-colonel in July 1942, he was transferred to St. Louis and named area supervisor of the U.S. Army Air Corps Materiel Command. Of Colonel Hazelton, Mayor Schuman (the bard of Briarcliff) wrote in his December 1943 “On Parade”:
There is a tall hemlock, a blue spruce and a giant spreading oak in the yard of the home on Parkway Drive…Parade! The curtain goes up for Scarborough Players, we thrilled at the stage setting. Lumber, canvas, paint - Paul had a good pair of hands and spent hours and hours that the “Play must go on” They were going up, Paul in the last left hand rear seat of that giant new glider. There will be safer transport because of that test flight of Paul Hazelton’s and his brother officers. You may come flying home in one, non-stop from Berlin or Tokyo.
Lieutenant Colonel Hazelton was killed in the crash of an Army glider, at St. Louis, Monday August 1, 1943.
Seaman John F. Schrade III
Seaman First Class, U.S.N., John F. Schrade III was killed in service May 31, 1944, in an airplane crash outside of Creeds Field, Norfolk, Virginia. An aerial gunner, Seaman Schrade entered the navy in January 1943, at the age of nineteen. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Schrade, Jr., of Crest Drive, the eldest of six brothers and sisters and a graduate of Briarcliff High School
Lt. Percy Meredith Hall, Jr.
Lieutenant Percy Meredith Hall, Jr. U.S. Marine Corps fighter pilot serving in the South Pacific was reported missing in action in July 1944. His death on May 22, 1944 was not confirmed until after V-J Day in 1945. Lieutenant Hall was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Percy Meredith Hall of River Road, Scarborough. His brother, Major John O. Hall, was a prisoner of war in Germany from June 1943, until after V-J Day. A third brother, Lieutenant Franklin Hall, served in the U.S. Army Air Force.
Lieutenant George T. (“Tommy”) Fountain
Lieutenant George T. (“Tommy”) Fountain was killed in action in Aachen, Germany, on September 17, 1944. Lieutenant Fountain, who was serving as a member of the 26th Infantry in General Hodge’s First Army at the time of his death, had completed his second year at law school when he enlisted in the army in February 1942, Besides his parents, Petty Officer First Class George O. Fountain and Mrs. Fountain of State Road, he left a wife and young son and two brothers, Orill, who served in the Navy, and Jack a student a Briarcliff High School at the time. Lieutenant Fountain’s father was postmaster of Scarborough for many years both before and after World War II. With his two older sons in the armed forces, he enlisted in the navy, for service in postal work. “Communique” called the family “the Fighting Fountains…The old homestead displays three stars on its service flag in tribute to George and his sons Tommy and Orill. What is more, even Orill’s Great Dane Duke was one of the first dogs from this area to join ‘Dogs for Defense’”. In his “Cheering Section” for August 194, Harry Addis had written:
“Have two from Tom Fountain written from a foxhole in Normandy where he reports the going plenty rough and that all the teeth-chattering is not from the cold. We have seen Tom play a lot of baseball, basketball and football, and have played a bit with him and have always found that he did O.K. when the going was rough. Always a pepper pot and a holler guy, Tom would fight like hell to come from behind. His only weaknesses outside of swinging at bad balls seemed to be his temper, but if that’s all he loses before we see him again, it is alright with us.”
Lieutenant Paul Barr Zuydhoek
Lieutenant Paul Barr Zuydhoek was killed in action in Germany on September 25, 1944. He was a veteran of many major campaigns in the European theater and a member of the First Army Field Artillery. Following his induction early in 1941, Lieutenant Zuydhoek received his basic training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. After Pearl Harbor he was sent to Hawaii and later returned for officer training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he was commissioned a second Lieutenant. After D-Day he received his first lieutenancy in the field in France. He was awarded the Silver Star posthumously for gallantry in action July 30, 1943, and the Bronze Star for heroic action June 6, 2944. Lieutenant Zuydhoek’s father, Ernst Zuydhoek of Poplar Road, was a long-time employee of Water Law’s enterprises. He closed the books at Briarcliff Lodge in the 1930s. Lieutenant Zuydhoek was survived by his father, a sister, Mrs. Holbert Allison, and two brothers, Ernest and William. Paul Zuydhoek was a gifted musician, a pianist and organist. He attended the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia as a scholarship student and won the Bok Memorial Scholarship to study in Italy. Before his induction into the army, he was organist and choir director of Christ Church in South Amboy, New Jersey. Harry Addis led off his “Cheering Section” in the November 1944, “Communique”:
“It would be impossible for us to convey…how much of a shock it was to receive the news that Tom Fountain and Paul Zuydhoek had been killed in Germany or how much it saddened the entire village. Paul, who played both baseball and basketball at B.H.S in the late twenties, and Tom, who was a three letter man during the late thirties, were both teammates of a great many of you boys. We all feel sure that both Tom and Paul went down fighting in the same spirited manner which we remember well”.
Sargeant Benjamin C. Dunn
Sargeant Benjamin C. Dunn was killed in action February 13, 1945 on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. Sergeant Dunn was born in Briarcliff, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin F. Dunn of North State Road. He attended Briarcliff High School and then worked as a mechanic in his father’s garage on Saw Mill River Road until he entered the Coast Artillery on December 26, 1942. After completing his basic training in Virginia, he was selected to take a course at an army mechanics’s school in North Carolina, where he received his sergeant’s rating. He was sent to Camp Hahn, California, and put in charge of a fleet of army trucks. Before going overseas in August 1944, he was transferred to the Infantry. He was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously. Sergeant Dunn was survived by his parents, his wife, the former Gladys Crisfield of Ossining, four sisters, and one brother, Vincent J. Dunn, a seaman first class in the Seabees.
Sergeant Arthur J. Quinn, Jr.
Sergeant Arthur J. Quinn, Jr., was killed in action March 27, 1945 in Germany while serving with the 180th Infantry, 45th Division, of General Patch’s Seventh Army. Sergeant Quinn was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Quinn of South State Road. He graduated in 1936 from Briarcliff High School, where he took an active part in all sports. He was a member of the Westchester Firemen’s Association and a Lieutenant in the Briarcliff Fire Company, in which he served as secretary. He was a licensed insurance broker employed by the Hanover Fire Insurance Company in New York City until he entered the service in November 1943. A veteran of both the Italian and French campaigns, Sergeant Quinn had been overseas since July 1944, and had just recently been promoted in the field from private first class to sergeant.
Two servicemen whose names are not listed or mentioned in “Communique” are listed in the Ossining Historical Society’s Memorial Booklet as casualties from Briarcliff Manor. No pictures are available for either of them.
The first of these, U.S. Navy Lieutenant Daniel Fletcher Currier, of Scarborough was listed as missing in action, then confirmed as dead in October 1943. Edward Currier was first private secretary and later assistant to Frank Vanderlip throughout Vanderlip’s tenure at the National City Bank. He is frequently mentioned in Vanderlip’s autobiography From Farmboy to Financier and like so many of Vanderlip’s associates, lived in Scarborough. It is likely that Lieutenant Currier was Edward Currier’s son and likely also that he no longer actually lived in Scarborough during World War II, and so would not have been included in on the lists or in the news of “Communique”. A story is told that he was a naval officer who dove under his ship to save a sailor and was never found.
Corporal Edward White, Jr., of the 26th Marines, 5th Division, enlisted in December 1942 and was killed in action March 6, 1945. He was born on Oak Road, and his parents were among the founders of Saint Theresa’s Church.
Korea
Lieutenant John. K. Koelsch
Lieutenant John. K. Koelsch, Navy helicopter pilot, died July 3, 1951, in a prison camp in North Korea after three months of captivity. He had been an ensign in the navy in World War II, one of three members of the Koelsch family listed on the “Communique” Honor Roll in 1945. The son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Koelsch, he had attended Scarborough School, Westminster School in London, and was a graduate of Princeton. He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously, the first helicopter pilot ever to receive that medal.
For more on the story of Lt. Koelsch see: John Kelvin Koelsch - Briarcliff Manor's own medal of honor winner - Notebook Vol. 2023-4
Vietnam
Three men from Briarcliff Manor were killed in Vietnam in the armed services of the United States. A fourth, Anthony Shine, as of 1989 was still listed as missing in action.
Kenneth L. Hirst, Jr., corporal
Kenneth L. Hirst, Jr., corporal was the first Briarcliff casualty of the war. On May 12, 1967, three days after his twenty-second birthday, he was killed in action in Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam, while serving the First Battalion, 9th Regiment of the United States Marines. He was twenty-two years and three days old.
Randal Breward Purdy, corporal
Randal Breward Purdy, corporal, enlisted July 1, 1966, in the United States Marines. He was assigned to the post of Forward Observer and killed near Con Thein, December 19, 1967. He was twenty-one years old.
Jonathan Shine, first lieutenant
Jonathan Shine, first lieutenant, who had graduated nineteenth in the West Point class of 1969, was killed in action with the 25th Infantry Division near Cu Chin on October 15, 1970. His brother Alexander, a third son of Mr. and Mrs. George Shine, also served and was wounded in Vietnam.
Sources:
Cheever, Mary. The Changing Landscape: A History of Briarcliff Manor-Scarborough, 1990.
Our Village: Briarcliff Manor, N.Y.: 1902 To 1952
A Memorial 1779-1983. Ossining Historical Society, 1987.
Article in The Gazette, May 10-16, 2001
Various issues of “Communique” from December 1942- September 1945.
Files at the Briarcliff Manor-Scarborough Historical Society, available for consultation at the Eileen O’Conner Weber Historical Center, 1 Library Road, Briarcliff Manor, NY (on the lower level of the library building).