WW2 Buna Fallen - Stanley Romanowski, 32nd Infantry Division + Famous Comedian

The Sgt. Stanley F. Romanowski Post #6896 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars 
was founded on May 12, 1946, in the gymnasium of Munger Intermediate School in Detroit. 

Sgt Stanley Romanowski never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on November 4, 1918 in Michigan. His parents Stanislaw and Josephine were both born in Poland. His father worked as a “moulder” at a brass factory. He had two older sisters, an older brother, and a younger brother. By 1940 he had completed four years of school and was a machinist.He graduated from Chadsey High School in Detroit in June 1937. 

He enlisted in the U.S. Army on April 16, 1941, where he was assigned to “G” Company, 126th Infantry, 32nd Division. In April, 1942, he was sent to Australia. By September 1942 he had been deployed to New Guinea where he was assigned to the Second Battalion.


“The Second Battalion played a major role in the Allied forces’ first land defeat of the Japanese in the battle for the Pacific. This took place after a prolonged fight in the rugged terrain of the Owen Stanley Range, a mountain chain in Papua, New Guinea. On November 30, 1942, Sgt. Romanowski’s battalion was sent to Buna Village at Papua, New Guinea, to seize the Japanese forward base there. General Douglas MacArthur was confident that his officers and soldiers could secure Buna swiftly since the Japanese troops had grown weary and were severely battered. However, it became evident at the start that MacArthur’s troops were in bad shape. They lacked basic equipment, specialized clothing and waterproof items necessary to endure the rainforest conditions of the jungle, insect repellant, food rations, and even fuel for heating food. Still, believing the operation would be brief and supplies would soon be replenished by air and sea, the troops remained confident.


"Nevertheless, the operation turned out to be a long, savage, and costly one. Over a period of two weeks, the Second Battalion, 126th Infantry launched 12 unsuccessful attacks against Buna Village, and the exhausted and starving men were reduced to shreds. They had also given up hope. The 3rd Battalion, 127th Infantry, whose men were energetic and well equipped, went in to relieve them.It was on the evening of December 5, 1942, near Bouttcher’s Corner, that Sgt. Stanley F. Romanowski lost his life in battle. Buna Village finally fell on December 14.”


His grave is at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, Detroit, Michigan.


Thank you Sgt. Romannowski for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Stanley.

ART CARNEY

Art Carney was also born on this day 100 years ago. Art Carney was born in Mount Vernon, New York.

Carney was drafted as an infantryman during World War II. While with the US Army, Carney went to Normandy in July of 1944 as a replacement to the 28th Division in position around St Louis. On August 15, 1944 he had just taken up his position and was hit in the right leg by mortar shrapnel. After receiving field treatment, he was sent back to Britain and then to the US; as a result of his wound, Carney walked with a limp for the rest of his life. 

https://www.cmgww.com/stars/carney/

Carney gained lifelong fame for his portrayal of upstairs neighbor and sewer worker Ed Norton, opposite Jackie Gleason's Ralph Kramden in The Honeymooners. Beyond The Honeymooners, Carney served as Gleason's sidekick and troupe member during Gleason's years on television, which included several CBS runs of the Gleason variety show and some Honeymooners specials on ABC. Carney's good-naturedly goofy portrayal of Norton continues to influence pop culture, particularly by inspiring the cartoon characters Yogi Bear and Barney Rubble. 

Carney has been nominated for seven Emmy Awards and won six. He died in 2003 at the age of 85.
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This profile was researched and written by Chris Prough - "Father of eight children, just celebrated his 30th anniversary with his lovely wife Susanne. Lives in Mount Pleasant, IA, where there are no mountains and the jury is still out on the whole "pleasant" thing. Lover of history since a child. I believe in this endeavor as my own great uncle, Harold Ozmun, will be featured December 15. Many thanks to Don for affording me the privilege to help him out."

On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100

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WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by

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“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

http://www.tggf.org