William R. Smerhovsky

TECHNICAL SERGEANT WILLIAM SMERHOVSKY was born in 1921 in Camden NJ, the son of Joseph and Margaret Smerhovsky. Joseph, born in Philadelphia in 1895, was the son of a Bohemian tinsmith, who been in Philadelphia by 1890. By 1920 the family was renting a home for $16.00 a month at 1243 South 3rd Street in Camden NJ, and Joseph was working as an electrician at the Baldwin Locomotive Works. The family later moved to 348 Atlantic Avenue, Camden NJ. William was the middle child, coming after Anna and before Elizabeth. He attended the Church of the Sacred Heart parochial school at Broadway and Ferry Avenue and the Camden County Vocational School on Browning Road in Pennsauken NJ, from which he graduated in 1939. Prior to entering the Army, he had been employed at the Levering and Reibel Plant in Camden NJ. William Smerhovsky was inducted into the Army in June of 1943.

William Smerhovsky was serving at Fort Bragg NC on January 16, 1944 when his father passed away. He was sent overseas in October of that year, with Company C, 397th Infantry Regiment, 100th Infantry Division. Also serving with that unit was Private William F. Donehower, of Westmont NJ.

On November 22, 1944 William Smerhovsky was killed in action, according to the Camden Courier-Post January 3, 1945 morning edition. He was survived by his mother, who passed away in 1981, and his two sisters. Technical Sergeant Smerhovsky was awarded the Silver Star posthumously for his actions at Senones, France.

After the war, William Smerhovsky was brought home to New Jersey. He was buried next to his father at Calvary Cemetery in Delaware Township (present-day Cherry Hill) NJ. Margaret Smerhovsky joined them in 1981.

Parochial School at Ferry Avenue and Broadway Has Commencement

A class of 59 students, 49 In the eighth grade and ten in the commercial department, were graduated last night from Sacred Heart Parochial School at commencement exercises at the parish house, Broadway and Ferry Avenue. 

A communion breakfast was served the class after the 9 o'clock mass yesterday morning. The address to the graduates was made by Rev. Joseph Sutliff, of Runnemede. Others participating in the commencement program were Rev. Peter J. Kelley, rector, 
and Rev. John Thompson, of Sacred Heart Church; Rev. Joseph V. Mc Corristin, of St. Joan of Arc Church, and Rev. Joseph McGrath, of Atlantic Highlands.

Prize winners follow: 

Elizabeth, Zeck, for general excellence in commercial class, donated by Father Kelley; Stephen Rubino and Mary Daley, for general excellence in the eighth grade, donated by Father Kelley; John Waterhouse and Agnes Scholtz, for application in eighth grade, donated by Parent­Teacher Association; Elbert Butler and Ella Levins, for Christian doctrine in eighth grade, donated by Mrs. Jules Thebaud: Margaret Huntley, for English in eighth grade, donated by Mrs. Charles Wade. Other prizes for general excellence, donated by Father Kelley, were won by Francis Hoffnauer, Mary Alice Herman, Rita 
Maloney and William Kries, seventh grade; Rose Gifford, Albert Scarduzio, Elizabeth Carr and William Smerhovsky, sixth grade.

A former Camden army first lieutenant and relatives of nine deceased war heroes received Army awards last night in the city hall commission chamber.

Presentation of medals was made by Capt. Conger Brown, of the Fifth district, Second Service Command.

This was the first large group public presentation of Army decorations here. Leaders of three county veterans organizations joined families of war heroes and honorably discharged and furloughed service personnel at a ceremony sponsored by the Camden County Executive Committee of the American Legion.

Lauded by Brunner

Mayor Brunner lauded the bravery and heroism of those awarded the medals before an audience of 300 persons. He stressed hopes that “there will be no more wars." ,

Alfred W. Nelson, Jr., of Runnemede, recently discharged after serving with the Third Infantry as first lieutenant, received an Oak leaf Cluster as a second award of the Silver Star.

Posthumous awards were received by: ..

Mrs. Harriet B. Woolcock, 80 East Main Street, Marlton, widow of 1st Lt. Daniel B. Woolcock, Jr., infantry, Bronze. Star Medal.

Mrs. Sarah E. Wright, Bells Lake; RFD 2, Sewell, widow of Pvt. Wesley Wright, 83d Infantry, Bronze Star Medal.

Mrs. Mamie Barnes, Church Street, Medford, mother of Pfc. Elmer E. Barnes, 32d Infantry, Silver Star Medal.

Mrs. Margaret Smerhovsky, 348 Atlantic Avenue, Camden, mother of T/Sgt. William B. Smerhovsky, 100th Infantry, Silver Star,

Others Honored

Nicholas Rossi, 347 Liberty Street, Camden, father of Pfc. Rosso J. Rossi, Corps of Engineers, Silver Star.

Mrs. Anna T. Lee, 735 Spruce Street, Camden, mother of PFC Robert E. Lee, 1st Infantry, who was awarded the Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a second Silver Star.

Mrs. Jean M. Galiazzi, 16 South Thirty-third street, Camden, widow of S/Sgt. Joseph Galiazzi, 100th Infantry, Silver Star ..

Mrs. Rose W. Mills. Pine Hill, widow of T/4 James L. Mills, medical unit, 88th Infantry, Bronze Star.

A Bronze Star was sent to Mrs. Anna G. Wilkie, 631 Jersey Avenue, Gloucester City, widow of T/5 James W. Wilkie, 102nd Infantry..