Highlands Walt Guenther, whose family is only here half the year sharing time at their Ohio residence, but has in reality been here for more than a century through five generations… and always in their hearts…. has come out with another great idea to keep Highlands proud of its ancestors. Hometown Heroes
The Highlands Historical Society Facebook Page is now posting Walt’s great stories about some of Highlands heroes, the soldiers and sailors who are on the memorial banners along Bay Ave. Walt has researched each of the Highlands men killed in action during World War II and has posted his stories about each of them on the Highlands Historical Society page. He posts each of the men on the anniversary of their death,
If you have missed the two already observed, read them here; one is Eugene Arnath, a Navy submariner, the other is Edward Minor, a Navy diver.
If you’re thinking of lasting and inexpensive gifts to give friends, the highlands Historical Society is also a great place to start.. A family membership in the Society makes a unique gift, helps support the organization that is doing so much and working so hard to preserve and keep Highlands history alive. It isn’t necessary to attend meetings to be a member; the Society also puts out a terrific newsletter tht keeps yo9u informed of events and even tests your memory or ideas about Highlands at an earlier time. Check out their website at Historical Society of Highlands and think abou9t gifs of family or individual membership.
On November 19, 1943, US Navy Seaman 2nd Class Eugene Arnath was killed in action when his submarine was sunk by a Japanese warship in the South Pacific.
Arnath’s submarine, the USS Sculpin (SS-191), was sunk by a Japanese destroyer on its ninth war patrol north of Oroluk Island, near the major Japanese naval base of Truk in the South Pacific.
The Sculpin was on patrol to attack enemy shipping opposing the upcoming invasion of Tarawa when his ship was sunk by the destroyer, Yamagumo. After his sub attacked a Japanese convoy, it was tracked down and attacked by enemy warships. The Sculpin made it through a 12- hour depth charge attack but was so heavily damaged that its commander ordered it to surface so the crewmen might have a chance to survive by abandoning ship.
According to the October 1, 1945 report written by Lt George Estabrook Brown who survived the destruction of the Sculpin and then spent almost two years in prison camps working in the Ashio copper mines after he was picked up with 41 other survivors by the Japanese destroyer,
Eugene Arnath was killed firing the submarine’s 20mm gun and machine guns at the Japanese to give his fellow crewmen a chance to swim away from the sub before it was scuttled by the American crew.
Arnath is a decorated American war hero. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, for his heroic actions in a combat zone during the sinking of his submarine by the Japanese. His Bronze Star citation states “After his ship had been severely damaged and forced to the surface during a terrific enemy depth charge attack, Arnath instantly manned his gun despite the overwhelming fury of the enemy’s five-inch gun barrage and continued his persistent fire until the Sculpin succumbed to the Japanese superior firepower. By his indomitable fighting spirit and unfaltering devotion to duty, Arnath upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”
Eugene Arnath was 19 years old. He lived in Highlands at 72 Miller Street and was the son of Thomas and Clara Arnath. Tom Arnath, Eugene’s father, owned the Congress Radio Shop at 63 Miller Street in Highlands. His mother, Clara, from Highlands, lost two sons in WW II—Eugene Arnath and Charles Rugg. Charles was her son by a previous marriage to Marion Rugg. Eugene is Buried at Sea. His name is listed as Missing In Action on the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) Honolulu, Hawaii.
His Highlands Hometown Heroes Banner is located on Bay Avenue near the intersection with Spring Street.
The Captain of Arnath’s submarine, Captain John Cromwell, knew the details of the upcoming invasion of Tarawa and was afraid that he might reveal the information if he was tortured when he was taken prisoner by the Japanese. For this reason, he chose to go down with his ship when it was scuttled by the crew. For his sacrifice he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, our nation’s highest award for heroism.
On this day, November 28, 1945, US Navy Metalsmith 3rd Class Edward Anthony Minor was killed in action when his ship collided with another vessel in Hampton Roads, near Thimble Shoals, off Norfolk, Virginia.
Minor’s ship, a floating crane on a self-propelled barge, the YSD-38, was sunk in the collision. The YSD-38 was a 104 foot long, 240 ton Seaplane Salvage Derrick vessel. His military records indicate that he may have been a US Navy Rescue/Salvage Diver. He drowned in the accidental collision of his ship and a merchant tanker as his vessel was responding to a distress call. Twelve other sailors were also killed in the disaster.
Although World War II had officially ended in Europe in May 1945 and in the Pacific in August 1945, the military officially declared all casualties through the end of 1945 as War Dead due to all the dangerous military actions involved in wrapping up hostilities.
Edward Minor was 30 years old. He lived in Highlands at 46 South Bay Avenue, 58 Highland Avenue and 99 Highland Avenue. Minor was a welder prior to entering the Navy. His induction into the Navy was reported in the January 6, 1944 Highlands Star.
He was the husband of Marie Hennessey Minor. He had a daughter, Mary, and a son, Thomas. His sisters were Violet Anthony and Rosemary Kerrigan and his brothers were Thomas and Joseph Minor.
The March 9,1944 edition of the Highlands Star newspaper ran an article reporting that “Edward Minor, noted bowler with Captain Lester Wheeler’s team (Cap’ Wheeler’s Tavern), departed on Tuesday for active duty with the US Navy.”
He is buried in Machpelah Cemetery in North Bergen, New Jersey.
His Highlands Hometown Heroes Banner is located on Bay Avenue near the intersection with Washington Avenue.
We honor his sacrifice for our grateful Nation.
You can also Find ViniVidiScripto on the Following Platforms …
Hometown Heroes Hometown Heroes Hometown Heroes Hometown Heroes Hometown Heroes
Hometown Heroes Hometown Heroes Hometown Heroes Hometown Heroes
