Pearl Harbor USS Arizona Casualty: Manchester NH’s Sea1c Joseph S. Rozmus (1919-1941)

Posted on 20 June, 2014 by Janice Brown
Sea1c Joseph Rozmus, killed aboard the USS Arizona, Pearl Harbor

Sea1c Joseph Rozmus, killed aboard the USS Arizona, Pearl Harbor

Joseph Stanley Rozmus, son of Polish immigrants, Franciszek (Frank) & Maryanna (Potoczna) Rozmus, was born in 1919 in Manchester NH. He grew up on Cedar Street [249 & 253] in Manchester and attended St. Joseph’s, and graduated from Central High School in the class of 1939, playing football and basketball, in addition to being an excellent student. “Tis more painful to do nothing than something,” is the quote under Rozmus’ name in the school yearbook.

On 15 October 1940, at the age of 21 Joseph Rozmus enlisted in the United States Navy in Boston, MA. He went through boot camp and had been assigned to the U.S.S. Arizona, and was received on board 10 December 1940. Continue reading →

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WW2 Casualty of Hickam Field, near Pearl Harbor: Manchester NH’s Pvt Joseph Jedrysik (1917-1941)

Posted on 17 June, 2014 by Janice Brown
Joseph Jedrysik, killed at Hickman Field.

Pvt Joseph Jedrysik, killed at Hickman Field on 7 December 1941.

Joseph Jedrysik was born on 29 May 1917 in Manchester NH, son of Polish immigrants Antoni “Anthony” & Aniela “Nellie” (Wozniacka/Wozniak) Jedrysik. His father had immigrated to the United States from Kurczina Krosno, Poland seeking a better life. He worked in one of the Manchester mills as an operative.

Anthony and Nellie had five children, but Joseph was their only son. Joseph Jedrysik grew up at 11 Pearl Avenue, attended the local schools, and graduated from Central High School in the Class of 1939. He enlisted in the United States army on 6 March 1941. By December he was a member of HQ Squadron, 17th AAF Air Base Group, Air Corps in Hawaii. Continue reading →

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When Manchester’s NH’s Amoskeag Mill (Almost) Built the World’s Largest Flag

Posted on 14 June, 2014 by Janice Brown
Flag women and made up by Mill-workers at Manchester NH. Photograph from Harlan A. Marshall, as printed on page 411 of The National Geographic Magazine, October 1917.

Flag woven and made up by mill-workers at Manchester NH. Photograph by Harlan A. Marshall, as printed on page 411 of The National Geographic Magazine, October 1917.

Almost is an interesting word.  It means nearly, pretty darn close but no cigar, not entirely, second place.  It would have been easier for me to just stick with the story already out there–that in 1914 Manchester New Hampshire’s Amoskeag Mills created the world’s largest flag. I almost did. It almost was.  But telling the truth seems more important than perpetuating the myth. That impressive American flag that I saw in photographs, hanging from the lofty brick mill building in Manchester was almost the largest in the world. Newspaper stories printed in countless newspapers between July and October of 1914, touting it as the greatest, were almost correct. Continue reading →

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2014 Laconia (NH) Motorcycle Week With a Bit of History

Posted on 13 June, 2014 by Janice Brown

gypsy tour motorcycle news (2)Motorcycle Week has been a part of New Hampshire’s history for ninety-eight years, more or less.  The event grew out of the Gypsy Tours (unofficially began in 1916) and evolved into today’s very popular Laconia Motorcycle Week.  In 2014 the Week runs from June 14-22 [see schedule].

Continue reading →

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Killed in Action on the USS Utah at Pearl Harbor: Sea1c David Lloyd Crossett (1917-1941)

Posted on 12 June, 2014 by Janice Brown
Sea1c David Lloyd Crossett (1917-1941)

Sea1c David Lloyd Crossett (1917-1941)

David Lloyd Crossett was born 9 December 1917 in Somerville MA, son and one of ten children of Charles R. & Bernice H. (Rice) Crossett. He spent a few years in Leominster MA before his parents moved to Manchester New Hampshire.  There his father taught at Central High School, but later changed his profession to that of investment banker, selling stocks and bonds.  While in Manchester the Crossett family lived at 333 Bridge Street then later at 50 Webster Street in Manchester. His parents later moved to 375 Bridge Street.

David’s grandfather, Charles Rollins Crossett Senior was a minister, and had been pastor of the Bethel Advent Church in Manchester for several years.  Both David’s father and grandfather were veterans. Continue reading →

Posted in Genealogy, History, Military of New Hampshire, Military Squares, New Hampshire Men | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments