OP-ED
World War II makes its presence felt in Queens
In conjunction with the
Greater Astoria Historical Society,
TimesLedger Newspapers
presents noteworthy events in
the borough’s history.
World War II was about to
enter its second year.
Kids get money from wellpaying
jobs vacated by older
brothers in the service. With
mom and dad working more
hours, the war disrupts parental
supervision. Juvenile delinquency
shoots up.
Advice columns sympathize
with women workers. Facing a
bad situation, women are torn
between families and the war
effort. No such conflicts for
Mrs. Marie McMillen, trainer
of parachuting nurses.
“There’s no thrill like jumping
out of the sky. I prefer it to
the far more dangerous subway
travel. Imagine tied up in
a cage below the ground and
speeding along like a bat out of
Hell,” she said.
The trees surrounding Bryant
High School were planted
after World War I as a memorial
to the school’s alumni. Principal
James Warren places a
wreath on one for Pearl Harbor
victim Alexander Badle.
The Astorian’s death on the
USS Arizona was among first
casualties in Queens.
Heroic war effort stories
are endless.
Five give blood for the
fourth time. More than 1,000
employees cheer Edo Plant ‘E’
Award. A 43-year-old Astoria
father, veteran of World War I
with five kids volunteers and
joins his two sons in the service.
Newsboys sell 6 million
10-cent war stamps. Brooklyn
Union employees collect 15,000
keys. The five-foot nickel and
brass mound is quickly melted
down. Four cousins from
Flushing, all named John Laura,
hit the enlistment line for
Uncle Sam.
Writing to that loved one
in the service? Families are
urged to use V-Mail, special
forms microfilmed then printed
overseas. Letters weighing
1,500 pounds and fitting into
22 mail sacks are reduced to
one 45-pound sack. The paper
carries forms for rationing
fuel and tires. Annual travel
is restricted to 3,000 miles at 35
mph. Tires are registered.
The Star-Journal Bowling
League is in full swing. The
Terminal Noisemakers, Astoria
Aces, Plaza Pirates, and
Jackson Heights Knights battle
at the Astoria Bowling Academy,
Broadway and Steinway
with 11 alleys and Pabst Beer
from kegs. The Court Square
Bowling Academy on Jackson
Ave. has Rheingold Beer and
14 alleys. The Strand Bowling
Center offers a delicious meal
at its luxurious restaurant and
cocktail lounge.
Phil Rizzuto of Glendale,
the peppery shortstop of the
Yankees, enlists in the Navy
shortly after the World Series
ended. The “Scooter,” at basic
training, is pictured in the
Norfolk Training Station.
Thomas Dewey, the former
racket-busting DA was selected
governor of New York
by 650,000 votes. The election
of Lieutenant Governor
Charles Poletti is too close to
call. (Poletti, later namesake
of the New York State Power
Authority facility in Astoria,
lives today in Florida. He is
in his 90s.)
Sandy and her master are
both in the army now. George
Cast, who enlisted last month
had to leave his dog Sandy in
the care of his mother. Mrs.
Elizabeth Cast of 12-24 30th
Drive, Astoria reported that
the good-natured collie didn’t
understand. After waiting
several days for Pvt. Cast to
return, the dog refused to
come out of his master’s room.
After a week of refusing to
eat, Mrs. Cast came to the conclusion
that only a change of
scene would cure him.
Sandy enlists into the Dog
Defense Division. He passes
his physical with flying colors.
He is not in the least
gun shy. Today he is going
through basic training in an
undisclosed location on Long
Island. “I’m glad to know
Sandy is in the Army too,”
Pvt. Cast writes to his mother.
“I’m sure he will make out
OK.” Someday perhaps, dog
and master will meet again in
the line of duty.
That’s the way it was in
November 1942.
For further information,
contact the Greater Astoria Historical
Society at 718-278-0700.
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