World War II Veterans of Christ's Church

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World War II Veterans of Christ's Church - Rye NY

The veterans listed on this page have been identified as members of Christ's Church, over 100 would serve during World War II. Learn who these veterans were, where they lived, where they served or in 14 cases how they died.

Click on any veterans name for their biography. Completed veteran pages include pictures , newspaper articles, links to historical information and a lot more.

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Ayres, M. Fairfax Jr.

U.S. Army

Died In Service

U.S. Navy

U.S. Army

U.S. Army

BULKLEY, Herbert STANLEY

Died In Service

Bundy, Thomas

U.S. Navy

Butterworth, George F. Jr.

U.S. Army Air Corps

U.S. Army

U.S. Army

U.S. Army

U.S. Army

U.S. Army

U.S. Army

U.S. Army

Died In Service

U.S. Army

U.S. Navy

U.S. Navy

Women's Army Corps

Dunn, Theodore, I. Jr.

U.S. Navy

ELLINGHAM, FREDERICK G. JR.

Died In Service

Everett, F. Dewey Jr.

American Field Service

U.S. Navy

U.S. Army

U.S. Army

U.S. Navy

U.S. Navy

U.S. Navy

U.S. Navy

U.S. Army

U.S. Army

U.S. Army

Gerrish, Thornton Jr.

U.S. Army Air Corps

Gilchrist, Malcolm F. Jr.

U.S. Army

Goedecke, Sally A.

U.S. Navy

Goedecke, William S.

U.S. Army

Gwynne, Arthur C. Jr.

U.S. Army

U.S. Army

U.S. Army

U.S. Army

U.S. Army

U.S. Navy

U.S. Navy

Henshaw, Richard T.Jr.

U.S. Army

U.S. Navy

U.S. Coast Guard

U.S. Navy

Robert Powell Hughes

Robert Powell Hughes was born on September 2, 1895, in New York, New York, to Mary M McNeil, age 29, and Walter Charles Hughes, age 34. He had three brothers and five sisters.

Robert lived most of his life in Rye. He attended New York University School of Engineering and served as an officer in the Navy transport services during World War I.

He was in the investment banking business from 1920 to 1941, and was retired president of the Red Hand Compositions Co., New York City, paint manufacturers.

He was married to Edna Tuthill Thrall Hughes and in Rye they family lived at 3 Adelaide Street.

During World War II, Robert served on the Industrial Advisory Committee of the War Production Board and on the War Production Board during the Korean War. He was appointed deputy director of public information for the State Civil Defense organization in 1959.

Robert was a former mayor of Rye, serving from 1955-1961 and was active in village and city government for over twenty-five years.

He was a member of Christ's Church; a past master of Valiant Lodge, Port Chester; a member of the Rye Lions Club; the Police Patrol of the Rye Fire Department; the Westchester Country Club; the American Yacht Club; the Union League Club of New York City; the Downtown Athletic Club of New York City; and the Rye Fish and Game Club.

Robert P. Hughes, former mayor of Rye and active in village and city government for twenty-five years, died suddenly on Tuesday April 14, 1964 at the United Hospital from a heart attack at the age of sixty-eight.

At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife, Mrs. Edna Tuthill Thrall Hughes; three brothers, Herbert of Hartsdale, Walter of Farmingdale, L. I., and Charles of Rye; and three sisters, Mrs. Margaret Darrah of Port Chester, Miss Harriet Hughes and Miss Marion Hughes, both of Rye.

Funeral services were held at Christ's Church and burial was at Greenwood Union Cemetery in Rye.

Hyde, Henry C.

U.S. Navy

Hyde, Simeon Jr.

U.S. Navy

Klaes, Marvin J.

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 entered service as an seaman was disapprentice, as a Chief Patty Officer with two battle stars after serving overseas more than two years.

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.

A similiar strip. in peacetime might have taken more than year to build, he said. "We worked hard on the Blo Runway, too," said the ex-Seabee. "That was the first B-29 airstrip on Okinawa but was never used. The war ended," he added, smiling.

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

Kniffin, Fredrick G.

Frederick Grover Kniffin

Frederick Grover Kniffin was born in Bridgeport, Conn., on July 24, 1917, the son of Harold and Marjorie Greaney Kniffin. He attended Rye schools and his family lived at 7 Highland Road. Fred was very active in the Rye YMCA's Pioneer Club, where he was a standout athlete.

In 1940, Fred was working as an attendant at a private garage and was a member of the Rye Volunteer Fire Department.

He enlisted February 26,1943 and served in the U.S. Army as a staff sergeant during World War II. He was honorably discharged February 24,1946

Fred married Barbara Seeley on July 6, 1948, in Flagler, Florida and raised three step children during his marriage.

He was a resident of Florida for 26 years, where he operated the Happy Holiday Boarding Kennels.

Frederick Gover Kniffin, 57, of Fort Orange, Fla., formerly of Rye, died Saturday April 26, 1975, at the Veterans Hospital in Gainesville, Fla.

At the time of his death, he was survived by a sister, Mrs. Virginia Jackrae of Port Chester and three daughters, Diane, Joan and Sandra Kniffin.