top of page
In Appreciation for Their Service and Sacrifice...
​
We remember our church family members who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. We reserve a special space for them on our “Tree of Life” so they will have a permanent place among us
for all to see and remember.
Pfc. Frank L. Hamilton
Frank was born in Ridgewood January 26, 1921. He was graduated from Ridgewood High School in the Class of 1938. He was active in sports and mainly known for his ability to kick a soccer ball.
Frank enlisted in the U. S. Army in June 1942 and went overseas in February 1944. He participated in the Normandy Invasion . He was killed in action in Germany November 30, 1944. His body was repatriated in December 1947 and buried at Laurel Grove Cemetery in Paterson. He was age 23 at death.
1st Lt. William Howard Sprague, Jr.
William was born in Milton, Pennsylvania in 1921. His family moved to Ridgewood and he graduated from Ridgewood High School’s Class of 1938. He was active in many sports and played in the band. He attended Rutgers University and Texas A & M.
William enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force in April 1942. On a mission as a Thunderbolt pilot he was shot down over France and seriously wounded. He died on July 28th 1946. He was buried with full military honors in Valleau Cemetery. He was age 25 at death.
Capt. Michael James Parmerter
Michael was born July 30, 1944 in Cornwall, NY. His family settled in Midland Park in 1951. He was graduated from Midland Park High School Class of 1962. He attended Tusculum College, Rutgers, Fairleigh Dickinson and St. John’s University.
Michael enlisted in the U.S. Army in July 1966.
In 1967 he was promoted to Captain. He went overseas in February 1968 and spent 14 months in Vietnam. On his 2nd tour of duty as a paratrooper he was killed in a non-combat incident in Khanh Hoa. He was age 26 at death.
​
​
Yeo./2 Karl Lother Sandman
Karl was a member of Ridgewood High School’s Class of 1932. He participated in physical training exhibitions, the NJ State Art exhibition on World Friendship, and played football.
Karl served his country as Yeoman/ 2nd Class in the U.S. Navy during WW II. He was lost with the crew of The Shark east of Menado, Celebs February 11, 1942. He is listed on the Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines. He was age 28 at death.
​
​
Staff Sgt. Steven K. Roos
Steven was a member of the Ridgewood High School Class of 1924. He was active in sports and sang in the Glee Club. After attending NYU and Cooper Union he worked on Wall Street and for the Sperry Gyroscope Company.
Steven served in the U.S. Army Air Force during WW II. On a bombing mission over Rabaul on October 12, 1943 his plane was attacked and ditched at sea. Roos was awarded the Air Medal and is listed on the Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery in Manila, Philippines. He was age 37 at death.
Major William Todd Campbell
William was president of Ridgewood High School’s Class of 1934. He was active in sports and sang in the Glee Club. He studied at the University of Mexico then Colgate, graduating in 1938. After one year of law school at Cornell he left to work for an export company in Panama.
William enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. in 1940 and trained as a pilot. On assignment in the British Solomon Islands his plane went down on January 8, 1944 after a successful mission. He was awarded the Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was age 28 at death.
..
2nd Lt. Edward Leonard Vanderbeck
Edward was a member of the Ridgewood High School Class of 1936. He was active in various intramural sports and varsity soccer, and was assistant manager of the baseball team. After graduation he was employed by William C. Atwater Co. in Radio City.
Edward was inducted into the U.S. Army Air Force June 2, 1941. He was presented with his wings on June 3, 1943. He received a “Dead Reckoning Navigation Certificate” at Carlsbad, New Mexico and went overseas in March 1944 as a Bombardier Navigator. He was killed in action on Wake Island May 14, 1944. He was age 24 at death.
​
​
Ensign Donald Cameron Haldane
Donald was a member of Ridgewood High School’s Class of 1942. He captained the basketball and baseball teams and also played football and soccer. On graduation he received the School Athletic Award.
Donald entered the U.S. Navy in August 1942 and took pre-flight training. He was commissioned in December 1943 in Pensicola, Florida. He died July 3, 1944 when the aircraft he was ferrying was in a serious accident over Georgia. He was age 20 at death.
​
Lt. Walter Francis Livingston III
Walter was born in Brooklyn, NY January 29, 1921. He grew up in Ridgewood, NJ and was a member of the Ridgewood High School Class of 1939. He was President of the Student Council and captain of the football team. He was graduated from Franklin and Marshall College in 1943.
Walter joined the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves while in college and was called to active duty in January 1944. He was killed on Guam July 21, 1944. He was buried in National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu. There is a marker in his honor at Valleau Cemetery. He was age 23 at death.
​
Lt. David Ellsworth Himadi
David was born in Hackensack, NJ November 18, 1918 and grew up in Ridgewood. He was graduated from Ridgewood High School’s Class of 1936 where he ran track and played intramural football. He went on to Duke University, graduating in 1940.
David was commissioned in the U.S. Army Air Force in 1942. He received his wings and was assigned overseas in Spring 1944. On his second mission, he was killed during a bombing raid over Japan August 20, 1944. He was age 26 at death.
S/1c Charles Upham Leonard
Charles was born October 16, 1925. He grew up in Ridgewood. He lettered in soccer and was graduated from Ridgewood High School’s Class of 1944 in absentia.
Charles enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1944. He was aboard the submarine SHARK II on its 3rd war patrol October 24, 1944 in the channel between Hainan and Bashi Channel when she was sunk during an attack. Charles is listed on the Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines. He was age 19 at death.
bottom of page