Klaes, Marvin J.

Description

Marvin Joseph Klaes was born on September 4, 1914, in Rye, New York, to Ida Josefina Anderson, age 43, and Joseph Hees Klaes, age 37. Marvin was raised and educated in Rye attending public schools. In Rye his family lived at 17 Vale Place and were members of Christ’s Church.

He married Helen Lucy Richardson on December 24, 1938, in Pound Ridge, New York. They had one child during their marriage.

Marvin enlisted February 27, 1943 and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. he served with the US Navy Seabees in the Pacific Theater. SEE MUSTER ROLLS

“Early in the war a group of Navy Seabees, including Marvin Klaes, former Rye policeman made it possible knock out Nipponese stronghold Rabual they hacked Sterling Airfield out of dense jungle against obstacles of difficult terrain and adverse weather. This field, on Bougainville Island, became a major strategic base of American bombers who, after Rabaul, were able to jump to still more important island-bases.

Klaes, who still prefers not to say a great deal about his war experiences, did admit that his the 87th Naval Construction Battalion, despite constant Japanese shelling, completed another major airstrip on Okinawa only 30 days.

Klaes, who graduated from Rye schools, will vacation with his wife at 203 Oakland Beach Avenue until January when he will rejoin the Rye police force.”
The Daily Item Fri, Dec 14, 1945 ┬╖Page 3

After the war, Marvin was a Rye police officer for more than 30 years before retiring in 1976. He was a volunteer fireman with the Milton Point Engine and Hose Co. in Rye. He was a lifetime member of the company and was a parishioner of Christ’s Church in Rye.

Marvin J. Klaes, a lifelong resident of Rye, where he worked as a police officer, died of a heart attack January 16, 1991 at United Hospital Medical Center in. Port Chester. He was 76.

At the time of his death, he was survived by a daughter, Barbara Boyce of Rye; a sister, Vera Armstrong of Eau Gallie, Fla.; and a granddaughter, Amy Boyce of Rye. His wife, a brother, Harry Klaes, and a sister, Edith McGrath, died before him..

Enlistment Date 1: 27 Feb 1943 Release Date 1: 3 Dec 1945