Perth Amboy’s Heroes will be honored this Monday which is Memorial Day which used to be called Decoration Day. As City Historian I thought it would be appropriate to relate some of the names of places and things in Perth Amboy and why they should always be remembered.
Krochmally Avenue is named after the first Perth Amboy soldier killed in World War I.
Rudyk Park is named after Stanley Rudyk who lost his life while fighting in Tunisia under General George Patton. The Park is named after him because he played there as a child.
The Neal Lucey Center on State Street is named after Neal Lucey who was killed in Pearl Harbor on the USS Arizona.
Arneson Square is named after Robert Arneson, the other young man from Perth Amboy who lost his life in Pearl Harbor.
On the wall in Perth Amboy High School are the names of many young men who lost their lives serving their country in World War II, Korea and Vietnam, but one name that Perth Amboy people should know is John Petach who was in the Royal Air Force and fought in the famous Flying Tiger Squadron. His exploits were so famous that they made a book and movie about him called God is My Co-Pilot. Petach was played by Dane Clark. The movie also featured John Wayne.
In John Petach’s homeroom was Joseph Sadowski who earned the Congressional Medal of Honor. The Waterfront Parkway is named after him. I know this because my mother was their homeroom teacher.
When I was running Cemetery Alive, I was standing in the parking lot of the Proprietary house and a young boy got out and shouldered a rifle. I said to him, “Who are you going to be.”
He put on his helmet and saluted me and said, “I am Sergeant Joseph Sadowski.”
I said to myself, “He’s just a kid.”
A man standing next to me heard me and said, “So was Joseph Sadowski when he was killed.”
Sgt. Sadowski won the Congressional Medal of Honor. Not many towns can say they have a native son who has done this.
This weekend we should remember all the fine young men and women who gave their lives for their country, and especially remember that we have many benefits and privileges not present in other countries, especially all the wonderful things we have here, in Perth Amboy. And always remember we are the home of the free because of the brave.
Anton J. Massopust
Perth Amboy City Historian
Guest Editorial
