This Memorial Day, South Brunswick Public Library would like to honor those who have fallen from our community.
Remembering those that have fallen
Corporal Joseph Elwood Cicchino
Born in Monmouth Junction on April 3rd, 1929 Corporal Cicchino, a rifleman and son of Carmine and Mary Notte
Cicchino, was a member of Headquarters Company, 1st Ordnance battalion 1st Marine Division.
He was Killed in Action while fighting the enemy in Korea on March 4, 1951. Corporal Cicchino was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.
First Lt. Seth Dvorin
First Lt. Seth Dvorin, who graduated from South Brunswick High School in 1998, died near Iskandariyah, Iraq, after a roadside bomb exploded while he was conducting a counter explosive mission. Seth was an officer in the 10th Mountain Division, Battery B, 3rd. Battalion, 62nd.
Pfc. Gary R. Buttenbaum
The first graduate of South Brunswick High School to sacrifice his life in service to his country in Vietnam was Pfc. Gary Buttenbaum. He had originally been scheduled for heavy artillery duty, but, after arriving in Vietnam, the 23 year-old Marine was transferred to front line infantry security duty in Huong Hoa.
Corporal Raymond Peter Albietz
Raymond Albietz was born on March 11th, 1943 and lived in Kendall Park. He was a corporal in the Army. His service start date was October 23, 1967. Corporal Albietz was killed in action by enemy gunfire in Vietnam on January 22nd 1967, just six months after enlisting. He is interred in Franklin Memorial Park in North Brunswick.
SPC Timothy Ochs
He was only twenty-one years old when he lost his life. Specialist Fourth Class, Timothy C. Ochs, son of Mr. and Mrs. Carl F. Ochs of Georges Road, Dayton, was killed in an ambush while en route to a new assignment near Saigon on January 30, 1968. This tragedy occurred just days after he had completed a thirty-six day leave to see his parents back home.
SPC Stephen C. Ponty
Stephen Chester Ponty was born on May 28th, 1949 in Monmouth Junction and attended South Brunswick High School. He enlisted in the Army and his tour of Vietnam started March 8th, 1968. Stephen served in the 187th Assault Helicopter Company. He was a Specialist 4 and worked in helicopter repair. Stephen Ponty was killed in action on December 28, 1968 creating a smokescreen so the Command and Control Aircraft could land safely.
LCpl Sean F. Estler
Born in New Brunswick, he resided in Kendall Park most of his life. He graduated from South Brunswick High School in 1982, where he was active as a member of the Outdoor Club, a member of the junior varsity football team, and a member of the band.
Cpl. Estler was a member of Troop 90 Boy Scouts sponsored by the Community Presbyterian Church of the Sand Hills, Kendall Park, and in 1981, he was the first member of the church to receive his Eagle award He served as an assistant scoutmaster. LCpl Sean F. Estler died on October 23rd, 1983 in Beirut, Lebanon from injuries of a suicide truck bomb attack on the Marine Barracks