Byrnes, Walter J.

Description

Walter J. Byrnes was born May 12, 1909, son of the late Edward C, and Mary F. Kerrigan Byrnes. He had five brothers George, Edward, James, Jack and Thomas and two sisters Jane, Georgina and Helen.

In Rye his family lived at 546 Milton Road and were members of the Church of the Resurrection. Walter was raised and educated in Rye.

Walter enlisted in 12 Mar 1942 and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was attached to the 3rd Battalion, Headquarters Company of the 45th Infantry Division.

In the Army twenty-six months, he participated in the Sicily. Naples Foggia, Rome Arno, Southern France, Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns.

Pfc, Walter J. Byrnes, earned six battle stars, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Bronze Star and Good Conduct Medal.

He also received the Croix de Guerre awarded to his division by the French Government for duty in Italy.
Walter was honorably discharged from the U. S. Army in August 1945 with ninety-one points.

After the war, Walter married Gloria Halsted in Rye. He worked many year for the US Postal Service. Walter retired in 1974 from his job as letter carrier at the Rye Post Office.

A lifelong resident of Rye, he was a member of the Milton Point Hose Co. and the Church of the Resurrection.

Walter Jerome Byrnes, 66, of 1 Fairlawn Street, who died Wednesday August 13, 1975 at United Hospital. He was predeceased by his wife, Gloria.

Survivors included three sisters, Miss Helen Byrnes of Rye. Mrs. Daniel Murphy of the Bronx and Mrs. Georgian Snyder of Elmsford and three brothers, Edward of Rye, George of Port Chester and James of New Rochelle.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at the Church of the Resurrection. Interment was in St. Mary’s Cemetery.