(Images & information pulled from NutleySons.com © Anthony Buccino)

            Despite Nutley’s small size as a town, its impact and contributions to the first World War were by no means small. Over 427 brave men and women from Nutley made the selfless decision to protect and serve their nation for the pursuit of securing freedom and liberty during the first World War. While most of the Nutley service members did return home safely, there were 17 brave soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice and died protecting the values of freedom abroad. This World War I memorial is dedicated to the honor and legacy of these 17 honorable soldiers who died fighting for their nation and for the virtues that it holds.

John Carver Adams - Captain John Carver Adams of the 30th infantry was one of the many brave soldiers who had given their life for the sake of freedom. John Carver Adams met his end on July 25, 1918, whilst leading his company in the Marne Salient. The character and legacy of Captain Adams is defined by the virtues of honor and bravery, all of which are traits that are highlighted in great detail by his heroism in the battle of Château-Thierry. During the battle of Château-Thierry, it was reported that Adams and his company stood their ground and did not retreat even an inch, this sense of bravery that stemmed from Adams’ leadership would eventually lead Adams to be awarded with the distinguished service cross. However, since Adams had passed away shortly after the battle of Château-Thierry, the award was instead given to him posthumously.

John Koster Beaumont - Corporal John Koster Beaumont had lost his life in combat in France on October 12, 1918, at the young age of 20. During his time within the military he was a member of the company A, 113th infantry, 29th infantry. July 1917 was when Beaumont first enlisted within the military, particularly with the national guard, and then left to fight overseas in June of 1918. While not much else is known about this brave soldier, it is safe to say that the ultimate sacrifice he made was invaluable for the pursuit and defense of freedom ultimately leaving his legacy as that of a hero.

Raymond Blum - For those that hold a keen and attentive disposition towards the township of Nutley, the name of Raymond Blum may be one that holds a great deal of familiarity. Blum’s connections to the township of Nutley exist for a variety of reasons, primarily due to his seemingly natural inclination to follow a path of heroism and communalism. Growing up Blum had always prioritized his community, with him attending school in town and participating as an athlete in local sports for ten years. Blum’s willingness to remain active within his community was a trait which he had evidently inherited from his father, who had once held the position of mayor within Nutley. During his time in the military he was a member of the 312th infantry, 78th Infantry Division, company B. Unfortunately Private Raymond Blum was killed in combat in France on October 22, 1918, at the young age of 26. The last letter received from Raymond Blum was dated October 14th, and arrived on the exact date that Armistice was signed, within the letter Blum talked about how he was doing well. While Blum is no longer with Nutley, his memory and legacy still lives on in the form of numerous monuments, particularly the 90-year old stone footbridge which stands over a portion of the mudhole; on this bridge there is an engraving dedicated to the life of Raymond Blum.

Julius Bruskin - Corporal Julius Bruskin was one of the many Nutley residents who sacrificed their lives for the sake of freedom during the first World War. Bruskin enlisted on April 17 and was a member of the Company of Engineers raised by County Engineer Reimer, but was eventually transferred over to be a member of the Company F, 1st US Engineers. Bruskin had primarily served in France during his time at war. Bruskin had ultimately met his end via wounds on his back that were inflicted by an explosive shell near the front lines with the other engineers. Bruskin was survived by many family members, particularly a brother named Benjamin Bruskin, who was also fighting in the first World War.

George William Connolly - During his time as a soldier George William Connolly served as a Private within the United States Marines and fought in France during the first World War. On June 6, 1918, Connolly had suffered wounds within combat and was placed in an Ambulance so he could receive treatment; however, when Connolly was placed inside of the ambulance German fire was directed towards the ambulance causing him and the other occupants of the vehicle to be killed. Shortly after Connolly’s death, a few soldiers had revealed that the Marine was awarded the Croix de Guerre a month prior for his gallant acts within combat.

Claud Henry Daw - Claude Henry Daw was a soldier who served as a private in the First Battalion First Division Canadian Expeditionary Forces for four years. During Claude Henry Daw’s time within combat he was presented with a path full of trials as tribulations, the combat he endured was described as some of the worst in the French front of the war, with this combat ultimately costing Daw his life in the end. According to a story told by Canadian Soldier William Laing, on September 27 four soldiers including himself and Daw were moving supplies in preparation for an attack on Bourlon Wood the next day, however, the four soldiers were attacked suddenly by a German shell, killing Claude Henry Daw and another soldier (Angus Tutton) in the process. Daw, who passed away at the young age of 32, left behind a 4 year old son and a wife.

Pasquale Di Francesco - Pasquale Di Francesco, who also went by the name of Joseph Francisco, was an Italian-American resident of Nutley who had served in the United States military during World War One. Pasquale first began his service within the military, particularly the Army, on September 22, 1917.  During his time as a soldier in the army Pasquale Di Francesco served as a private in the 68th Company, 17th Battalion, 153rd Depot Brigade. According to military documents, Pasquale Di Francesco ultimately died as a result of the war on January 19, 1918. As a result of Pasquale’s death, his parents decided to name their son who was born shortly after the death of Pasquale after his older brother, a practice which was common at the time.

Stephen Higginson Dorr Jr. - Stephen Higginson Dorr Jr. was the first from Nutley to die as a result of World War I. Dorr, a graduate of the Princeton training school, first got involved with the military after enlisting with the Officers’ Reserve Corps in Fort Meyer. During Dorr’s time at Fort Meyer he was one of ten soldiers selected to go to Toronto for aviation training with the Royal Flying Corps. Shortly after Dorr began his training in Toronto tragedy would strike , while Dorr and another cadet conducted their first solo flights, an accident occurred causing the planes of Dorr and the other cadet to collide with each other, which would leave Dorr wounded and with severe burns. In the end, the wounds and burns inflicted by the collision would prove to be fatal, killing Dorr on August 17, 1917. As a result of the great tragedy that occurred with Dorr, it was decided that an airfield in Florida would be named “Dorr Field” to honor his legacy.

*The date listed as Dorr’s death isn’t accurate, it should be 1917

Stuart Emmet Edgar - Lieutenant Stuart Emmet Edgar was one of the many soldiers who hailed from Nutley during the first World War. In Edgar’s early years he had always placed a high emphasis on education, as he had attended the Newark Academy and later the Riverview Military Academy, where he participated in various sports such as football and baseball. Following his completion of the Riverview military academy, Edgar decided to attend Cornell to further his education, where he was involved with athletics, the Chi Psi fraternity, and the Undine Sophomore Society. Outside of school and athletics, Edgar was heavily involved with journalism as he had worked for papers such as the Sun, Newark News, and the New York Evening Sun. In October 1916 Edgar felt compelled to join the military and signed up for the Norton-Harjes ambulance unit, where he would go to France as an ambulance driver. At some point during his time as an ambulance driver, Edgar would find himself switching over to the French aviation service, being given training at the Avord Flying School and then subsequently at Pau. Upon America’s entry into the war, Edgar would again find himself in a new environment, as he would be transferred over to the United States air service. While in the United States air service, Edgar would encounter his first aerial battle, luckily he managed to emerge from the battle unscathed, an experience which he would tell his mother about in a letter. Unfortunately, tragedy would strike on August 17, 1918, on this day Lieutenant Stuart Emmet Edgar would die as a result of a mishap involving the starting of his plane’s engine. Edgar’s plane-related accident occurred exactly a year after Nutley resident Stephen Higginson Dorr Junior’s plane accident, which had occurred on August 17, 1917. In acknowledgement of Edgar’s legacy and life, the VFW Post on Washington Avenue in Nutley was named in his honor.

William Lewis Harrison - William Lewis Harrison was a member of the Stevedore Regiment in Camp Stuart. Unfortunately on May 4, 1918, Harrison died of pneumonia as a result of tuberculosis. Not much else is known about Harrison or his legacy, but it is safe to assume that his legacy was built on the foundation of heroism as he was willing to enlist and fight for a good cause.

George John Kalvio - Private George Kalvio was one of the many brave soldiers from Nutley who fought with the United States military. In Kalvio’s earlier years he had attended the Nutley Public School system and graduated with the class of 1914. Only a few years following his graduation, Kalvio made the decision to enlist in the army. During Kalvio’s time in the military he was a member of the 312th infantry, 78th Infantry Division, company B, which was the same outfit as fellow Nutley resident Raymond Blum. Unfortunately at the age of 23, George John Kalvio would die as a result of pneumonia and influenza on October 24, 1918, just a few days after the death of another Nutley soldier, Raymond Blum.

Winan Klesick - Winan Klesick was a Nutley resident who fought in the first world war. Unfortunately Klesick would pass away due pneumonia that was brought out by influenza on October 15, 1918. Unfortunately not much else is known about Sergeant Winan Klesick, however, his legacy as a soldier and willingness to fight for a good cause stands strong.

Joseph George Lamb Jr. - During his time in the United States military, Joseph George Lamb Jr. served in the ambulance service in France. Unfortunately tragedy would strike on October 10, 1918, as Joseph George Lamb Jr. would pass away from Pneumonia. Outside of Lamb’s role and cause of death, there is very little information known about this soldier's legacy as a soldier and person, despite that it is evident that Joseph George Lamb’s willingness to fight for freedom makes him a hero.

Paul Salvatore Martine - Paul Salvatore Martine, also known as Paul Martino, was one of the numerous brave souls hailing from Nutley who was willing to sacrifice their own life for the sake of freedom. Before his time as a soldier Martine was a student in the Nutley Public Schools system and later became an employee at Sonneborn Oil Works. At the age of 19, Martino decided to enlist in the military. Before being sent to France, Martino trained at Fort Dix and in Syracuse, New York. By the time Martinto became 20 years old he managed to reach the rank of Corporal, being a member of Company F in the 38th Infantry corps. Unfortunately on July 15, 1918, Corporal Martino would make the ultimate sacrifice in combat, dying at the young age of 20 years old.

Bertram Fairley Townsend - Bertram Fairley Townsend was a United States soldier from Nutley who had fought in the first World War and passed away on October 14, 1918, at Fort Sill due to pneumonia and influenza. Not much else is known about Bertram Townsend’s past or involvement with the military, regardless the only other thing that is certain is that his inclination and willingness to offer his own life up for the sake of freedom is enough to forge his legacy as that of a hero.

Albin Trazewski -  Albin Trazewski, also known as Albert, was the first soldier from Nutley to die in WWI from combat, passing away at the young age of 22. Albin first arrived in the United States as a Polish immigrant in 1913, where he sought out to build a better life for himself and his family. Prior to Albin’s involvement with the first world war, he had worked at a Rubber Plant in the neighboring town of Belleville and spent his free time as a cornetist in a Polish Band. Even though Albin wasn’t a naturally born American Citizen, he still displayed an immense amount of patriotism and loyalty to his country. Reportedly Albin’s brother in law stated that the soldier promised “when he went that he would die fighting”. Albin died on May 13th, 1918, in France after serving on the front lines.

Ralph Zellars- Ralph Zellars was one of the many brave Nutley residents who made the ultimate sacrifice in combat during the first World War. Ralph Zellars reportedly died on November 4, 1918, with little information being disclosed regarding his wounds and cause of death. Unfortunately there is very little information documented on Ralph Zellars’ life, however, it is certain that Ralph Zellars honorable sacrifice serves as a symbol of his willingness to protect his nation and the virtue of freedom.