The front page of the Asbury Park Press on Thursday, May 3, 1945.
Thursday, May 3, 1945 ― 81 Years Ago
In the final, chaotic days of Nazi Germany, reports emerge from Berlin that Adolf Hitler — the man the Associated Press noted had “vowed to rule the world” — is believed dead amidst the ruins of the Third Reich’s capital.
“Whether Hitler was a suicide or whether he was the victim of a brain hemorrhage … there was little doubt among Allied leaders that the Fuehrer indeed was dead,” the AP reported. It was noted that he met his end in a manner that “would thwart any die-hard Nazi attempt to build a Wagnerian legend about him.”
While the world watches World War II come to an end in Europe, families at the Shore continue to wait for news of their sons and brothers engaged in fierce combat in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters.
Two Shore Men Slain in Pacific; Asbury Park Soldier Wounded in Europe
ASBURY PARK ― Marine Pfc. Joseph J. Petillo, a standout football star for Asbury Park High School in 1940 and 1941, was killed in action on Okinawa on April 13. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Gavino Petillo of 128 Dewitt Avenue, Asbury Park, were notified that Joseph died just two days before his 23rd birthday.
A public service message published in this edition from Jersey Central Power & Light, prompted readers to again plant their “victory gardens” in 1945, as more than 40% of the nation’s fresh vegetables were coming from America’s backyards by the end of the war.
Known as “Red” Petillo, he was a key player on the school’s undefeated team. He joined the Marines in 1942 and had been overseas since late 1944. Two brothers are also serving: Sgt. Angelo Petillo is with the 14th Army Air Force in China, and Patrick Petillo is with the Navy in the Pacific.
Also lost in the Pacific was Army Capt. Harry J. Ward, formerly of Rumson Road in Little Silver. A long-time member of the Signal Corps at Fort Monmouth, Captain Ward had recently moved his family to San Antonio, Texas, before deploying. He is survived by his wife, Lillian, and their two children, Mary and Robert.
Mr. and Mrs. Louis I. Tumen of 221 First Avenue, Asbury Park, received word that their son, Staff Sgt. Harry B. Tumen, is recovering overseas in an English hospital. Serving with the Third Army’s 26th Division, Sgt. Tumen suffered a hip fracture in Germany last month. He was recently awarded the Bronze Star and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
Marlboro Teacher Resigns
MARLBORO ― Mrs. Nellie Wenzel, teacher of the one-room school at Robertsville, resigned last night citing the “pressure of home duties,” the school board announced.
Mrs. Wenzel had recently taken a leave of absence. Mrs. Reba G. Scharff of South Amboy will continue to serve in Mrs. Wenzel’s place.
In a separate matter before the township Board of Education last night, parents from the Robertsville and Morganville PTAs attended the meeting to propose providing school lunches.
Man With Goat in Car Takes Kids for a Ride
OCEAN TOWNSHIP ― A massive search ended in relief late last night after five children from Wayside returned home, after a man with a goat abducted them in his car and took them “on quite a ride” for six hours, police said.
A Call to Duty: In an era where thrift was synonymous with patriotism, the Asbury Park and Ocean Grove Bank utilized this May 3, 1945, advertisement to link personal financial security with the national war effort.
The youngsters — Allen, 14, Joan, 8, and Eunice Newman, 10, along with Jean Peterson, 9, and Kenneth Hanson, 9, all of Deal Road — were missing since 8 p.m.
The children told police they were playing in a sand pile when a man stopped his car and asked if they wanted to see a “deer” in his automobile. Upon entering, they found the animal was actually a goat.
The unidentified man then spent the evening driving the quintet around before dropping them off a mile from their homes.
Detective Capt. Richard Garrity is investigating the incident.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Today in history: Asbury Park Press NJ archives for May 3