Alvin Paulus: WWII

Alvin Paulus
Born: September 17, 1915, Morris County, New Jersey
Died: October 6, 1995, Succasunna, Morris County, New Jersey
Relation to Author: Grand Uncle
Brother of Elizabeth Charlotte Paulus (married name Cheney)

On this date (July 20) 70 years ago Alvin Paulus enlisted in World War II. He enlisted in Newark, NJ, at the age of 27 (enlisting for the duration of the war plus six months). His enlistment came in the middle of America's involvement in the war - a year and a half after the attack on Pearl Harbor and America's declaration of war on Japan (December of 1941), but one year before D-Day (June 4, 1944) and two years before Japan surrendered (September 2, 1945).

In July of 1943, the course of the war was favoring the Allies in the Pacific - with the battles of Midway and Guadalcanal behind them. However progress was difficult and slow.

Alvin served through January 18, 1946. He served on the Pacific front as a journal clerk and later duty sergeant, working for the Chief of Section. He received the Bronze Star Medal - the fourth highest combat award of the US Armed Services - on August 6, 1945 for, "performing his duties in an outstanding manner," in support of the Chief of Section.

His Bronze Star document says, "During the period Technician Fourth Grade Paulus developed from a state of complete ignorance of army and office procedure to become a thoroughly competent and responsible non-commissioned officer in the 24th Division Intelligence Section." He apparently had no office training (his enlistment form says his civil occupation was in, "Semiskilled occupations in production of industrial chemicals") but seemed to pick things up very quickly and help out the last two years on the Pacific front.

He served at the following operations: Hollandia; Dutch New Guinea; Leyte; and Mindanao, Philippine Islands. He would later serve in Japan during the occupation. He achieved the rank of duty sergeant / staff sergeant - a non-commissioner officer (NCO). 

I have a copy of a history of the 24th Division. The history tells a lot about the military campaigns, particularly Leyte. However, I don't think it is particularly relevant and worth publishing any of here because I don't think Alvin saw any action and instead was doing office work. That's not to diminish his role, as the Bronze Star shows how important it was, but a book about combat history wouldn't show how a non-combatant spent time.

Remembering PopPop (Bruce Cheney)

Bruce Judson Cheney
Born: October 28, 1917, Morris County, New Jersey
Died: July 16, 2012, Morris County, New Jersey
Relation to Author: Grandfather

Here are the remarks from Bruce's funeral - one year ago - given by his son Barry.

Bruce Judson Cheney was born October 28 1917 at the Cooper family home at 8 Lawrence Street. His father, William Judson Cheney, was a Semi-Pro Baseball Player who had come to Dover in 1906 to play, and was also a Post Office Clerk. His mother, Leila Horton Cooper, was a homemaker.

Bruce was an only child so he got lots of attention, especially from his Mother. He grew up on Ann Street. He was focused on sports in his youth and young adult years. In high school they did not have interscholastic basketball or baseball so he had to settle for intramurals winning championships for the Southside teams. He received his only Varsity letter for tennis. After high school and while working at Picatinny he played hardball and then softball usually as shortstop.

He was a passionate fan of the NY baseball Giants and could recount in vivid detail exactly where he was (work at Picatinny) and how he reacted when Bobby Thompson hit the “Shot heard around the World” in 1951 to win the NL pennant defeating the Brooklyn Dodgers. In 1992 I played a trick on him and enticed him to come with his grandson Brendan and I to a baseball card show. He didn't know that the show was attended by Bobby Thompson. At the card show, he got to sit and talk baseball with Bobby Thompson. He left walking on air in disbelief.

He met Betty at Picatinny in 1941. She was a typist and he was in Stores which included making routine deliveries to her building. It got to the point where he was hanging around so much talking to her that it was interfering with her work and she was afraid of getting in trouble. At some point he got the nerve to ask her out. Since he didn’t drive he had to take the trolley to Kenvil to pick her up for a date. There wasn't much to do in Kenvil, so they would usually take the trolley back to Dover.

They married May 23, 1943. Their first child was born with a congenital heart defect and lived only months. I arrived next followed by my brother Brian

Dad was never one to go far from home. After marrying they lived in Mine Hill for a short time, moved to Kenvil and in 1956 had the house built in Mt. Fern - always staying close to family.

Everything revolved around the family. It seemed that almost every Sunday was dinner with the Nanas and often times a “Sunday drive”. 

Dad’s five cousins were for the most part distant from Dover but he kept up letter correspondence throughout the years. His cousin Joyce and her family were in Pequannock and visits with them were enjoyed.

He adored his grandchildren and tried to spend as much time as possible in Warwick attending Church children’s choir, pageants and picnics, and their baseball and soccer games. He followed them closely thru college, writing occasional letters in the days of email. He would urge them to marry and have children so he could have great-grandchildren. He finally got his wish and although we don’t think he knew they were his he never forgot how to hold a baby and was happy and relaxed when they were in his arms.

He was a gentle, caring man who in addition to baseball loved to garden, vegetables and roses, and invariably carried with him a big welcoming smile. He kept that smile throughout his dementia years whenever he went out or received a visitor.

He was my coach, encourager, provider and friend.

His dementia over the last 2.5 years required continuous care. I am grateful that my brother Brian was willing to be the caregiver on a 24/7 basis over that time. I thank you for your dedication and compassion. It provided Dad with a familiar setting in which he was able to be comfortable. [Editor's note: Barry was in Dover almost every weekend to help with the care.]