Public Notice to all Voters in the Boroughs of Atlantic Highlands and Keyport In Monmouth County Pursuant to N.J.S.A 19:28-1, The Monmouth County Board of Elections will meet on Tuesday, December 12th, starting at 9:00 A.M. until conclusion, at its office located at the Special Service Complex, 300 Halls Mill Road, Freehold to conduct a recheck/recount of votes cast in the November 7, 2023 General Election for Mayor of Atlantic Highlands Borough and Council Members for Keyport Borough.
This is of importance to the residents of Atlantic Highlands inasmuch as the November election results did not make it clear whether Councilmembers James Murphy or Lori Hohenleitner was successful in each of the pair’s attempt to be elected Mayor for the next three years. Also to be decided in the recheck and recount of votes Tuesday will be the two Keyport council seats for which four candidates also were vying.
The successful candidates will take office in January.
USS New Jersey, BB62, the world’s most decorated preserved warship, which has played a role in every American war from World War II until she was decommissioned in 1991, is now a museum and memorial on Camden’s waterfront. Currently, the ship is scheduled to be placed in dry dock in late February for a $10 million overhaul, paint and rehabilitation to enable her to continue as a museum for decades in the future. The date for the ship’s tow from its berth, under the Walt Whitman Bridge, to the dry dock in Philadelphia, will be announced so spectators will have an opportunity to visit spots along the shoreline where they will be able to view her pass. She is expected to be back at her berth and ready to continue to accept visitors on her historic decks in mid-April.
The Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial is open seven days a week from 10am. to 5:30 p.m. for tours and visits. For further information, visit the battleship’s website at BattleshipNewJersey.org or get information by writing info@battleshipnewjersey.org.
But during this week 79 years ago, the Battleship New Jersey was fighting her way not only through World War II but also the forces of Mother Nature. It was Dec. 11, 1944, when Admiral William ‘Bull’ Halsey, the Fleet Officer of the Battleship New Jersey, was leading the Third Fleet to Luzon in support of US Army landings on Mindoro Island in the Philippines. The battleship had just spent 85 days at sea, almost always engaged in battle and traveling more than 36,000 miles…..equal to one and a half times around the world.
An airstrike was scheduled for Dec. 19, so the Admiral ordered his fleet to refuel at sea. The weather expert aboard the ship felt the weather, which was unsettled, would not get any worse and Halsey, to ensure even more safety, moved the rendezvous for the ships in the fleet to be refueled by the battleship further south.
But during the 1940s, as it is today, Mother Nature makes decisions, and the Third Fleet sailed directly into the path of Typhoon Cobra. Winds up to 100 knots whirled destroyers through the ocean, ships lost steering control and power, and seas were 70-foot high. On the view from the mighty New Jersey, Admiral Halsey later said, “This typhoon tossed our enormous ship as if it was a canoe…..at broad noon, I couldn’t see the bow of my ship, 350 feet from the bridge.” Concerned for all, he added, “What it was like on a destroyer one-twentieth the New Jersey’s size, I can only imagine.”
Still, with several destroyers dangerously low on fuel, the Admiral ordered refueling to continue.
When the destroyer Spence was trying to refuel, it was rolling so wildly the fuel lines parted, the destroyer almost crashed into New Jersey, and refueling had to be halted. The Admiral ordered the fleet to hold a new course.
That also did not fare well. The fleet remained in the midst of the typhoon for two days during which several light and escort carriers were damaged, planes aboard broke loose starting fires, and in the end 156 planes were destroyed. Spence and two other destroyers capsized and sank. Tragically, 790 men died in Typhoon Cobra. Admiral Chester Nimitz, the Commander in Chief of the US Pacific Fleet, described the damage as representing “a more crippling blow to the Third Fleet that it might be expected to suffer in anything less than a major action.”
New Jersey had lost its float planes but escaped serious damage.
More than 40 children of Our Lady of Perpetual Help St. Agnes parish presented a spectacular Christmas pageant at St. Agnes Church Saturday evening/. Religious education coordinator Mary McKelvey expressed he thanks to all the parents of the young stars for their continued support of the religious education program, along with her thanks to all the volunteers who helped make it happen, including Karen Garbayo, Mariclaire Chesek and Mary Barrett, along with Musical Director Courtney Grogan who provided both musical and vocal talents. But two of the actors, Danica and Harry Murtha, who portrayed an angel and a shepherd in the story of Christmas,, stopped to accept the congratulations and praise of ardent supporters Kathleen Sweeney and Shirley Graziano. St. Agnes Church was filled with supporters of the children who participated in the program with the support and praise of pastor the Rev. Jarlath Quinn, and parochial vicar the Rev. Gene Vavrick.
It is looking like the NJROTC cadets at MAST, the Marine Academy of Science and Technology, are getting an early Christmas present!
If all goes as planned, the long awaited reconstruction of Building 23 at Fort Hancock will be in use in less than 600 days!
That is the schedule laid out following the notice in the Asbury Park Press legal section Saturday that the Monmouth County Vocational Board of Education has begun advertising for a contract manager to rebuild the former historic barracks at Fort Hancock on Gateway National Recreation Area at Sandy Hook.
The building has been in shambles for several years, after the initial advertisement for bids for reconstruction was postponed because of nesting osprey. An osprey nest which had been at one of the highest points of the building for several seasons was not removed before the birds returned so could not be disturbed.
Since ospreys are considered an endangered species, the nest could not be removed once the birds returned. Ospreys, like many birds, return to their same nest, building it larger every year before laying their eggs.
Advertisement for bids for the former barracks reconstruction, to be used as a drill room, classrooms, an NJROTC office, bathrooms and showers for the students, all of whom are cadets in the NJROTC program, have been postponed two or three times since then for various reasons.
However, in an announcement last month as the annual NJROTC inspection of cadets by naval officers, their major inspection of the year, Dr. Charles Ford, superintendent of the high-tech schools in Monmouth County, said bids would be advertised before February, to the applause of the approximate thousand people at the outdoor ceremony.
Under terms of the advertisement, under which bids will be accepted for two weeks, bidders for the position of construction manager must hold both a construction manager as constructor and a historic restoration trade classification from the state Department Division of Property Management and Construction. The bidder must also name in the bid all subcontractors and their scopes of work on the bid form for plumbing, electrical, heating, ventilating systems and equipment, as well as structure steel and ornamental iron work.
The estimated project budget for construction is $15 million.
A pre-bid meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 20 at 1 p.m. in Building 77 at MAST, the dining room for the cadets.
According to Kellenyi Johnson Wagner, the architect for the school district, persons are strongly recommended to attend the December 20 meeting.
The project seeking the construction manager as a constructor is described as including the reconstruction of “the partially collapsed Building 23, the reconstruction of the collapsed, two-story covered porches on the west elevation, and a 3,990 square foot two-story addition on the east side,, together with an elevator to provide barrier-free access to all levels from the main entrance lobby.
The result will be a 15,383 square foot facility to accommodate the NJROTC program by including shared office space, classrooms, locker rooms and a drill hall. Currently there is no building at MAST that can accommodate the cadets in drill practice. Practices are generally held on Pershing Field adjacent to Building 23.
The time frame for construction laid out by the architect, in addition to the rebid meeting on Dec. 20, shows the bid period ending January 17 and bid opening at the Monmouth County Vocation School District offices on January 17. A bid would be awarded Feb. 20 and a notice to proceed with the contract would be issued February 28, 2024.
It is anticipated that continuation of Phase I of the overall project would begin that day and be concluded April 22, and would include updating and finalizing contract documents, submitting plans and the start of securing the necessary permits. Phase II, the actual construction, would begin April 22, 2024, and be substantially completed 366 days later on April 22, 2025.
That means the building could be in use April 22, 2025, with the final closeout anticipated after occupancy and by June 6, 2025.
That makes completion of the long-awaited fitness facility or NJROTC cadets occur a few days before the Class of 2025, today’s juniors have their graduation ceremony.
Maybe it’s because he’s a firm believer in life time learning, or because he looks at every challenge as a way to make things better. Or maybe it’s because he learned wrestling as a kid from his father, who was a wrestling coach, and knows the value of perseverance and determination. Yet again, perhaps it’s his Irish mixed with a bit of Cajun French lineage that gives him an enthusiasm for life and learning, mixed with enjoyment and joie de vivre.
Whatever it is, there is no doubt that Dr. William Jancoutot is a dedicated, hardworking and well educated principal at the Highlands Elementary School.
The principal took over the top position at the Pre-K through 6th grade school on Route 36 last July and obviously loves the town, the school, its history, but most of all, the students and their parents in his school.
A native of Rochester, New York, Dr. Jacoutot fell in love with New Jersey the many times he and his family visited the Jersey Shore as he was growing up. His dad is originally from Old Bridge, and his parents met in college and settled in the Rochester area.
When he earned his first degree and began teaching, Dr. Jancoutot wanted to spread his wings further than his native state, and became a history teacher at the Peddie School. At the same time, he was a wrestling coach at Monroe High School, and is proud, for good reason, to have led his team to be 13th in the state with a record of 101 wins in his last year.
Coached by his own father, the principal points out the numerous advantages of not only athletics but also self-growth and self discipline in the sport of wrestling. As first a world history teacher for two years, then another 11 years as and 8th grade American History teacher, Dr. Jacoutot said he was able to take the lessons he learned from wrestling into the classroom. “Wrestling helped build me,” he said, “in giving me self-confidence, in honing my leadership skills. If it works for an athlete, it can also work in academics. It has always helped me learn more.”
After 17 years in the Monroe school district, including three as vice principal of the middle school and the last three as vice president of Brookside School .the third to fifth grade school, Dr. Jacoutot, who had consistently been looking to learn more, do more, achieve more, saw the opening to become a principal in Highlands. Because he loved his position in Monroe, but still wanted to continue to improve, learn and see more, he had mixed feelings about leaving but knew he wanted new challenges.
With relatives all over the state, including in Atlantic Highlands, Dr. Jacoutot admits he was familiar with this area of Monmouth County, but had only “passed through” Highlands. Now that he’s here, however, “just coming across the bridge and seeing the spectacular beauty makes you feel good.” Then there’s the local history he is still learning, he enthused, expounding on stories about Joshua Huddy and his connection with Highlands, as well as the fine local historians he has met who know so much about the town and its beginnings.
He is equally proud of the school’s history and both his office, and the main hall show it. In addition to the original school bell from the first school in Highlands in 1877, along with photos of earlier classes and the original school sign from the school all on display in the hall, his office has a book by a local author together with a photo of the current school and a story on its history. Both are set atop a desk from the earlier part of this century that was in the school basement. He is proud of the Highlands Focus program which was here when he arrived. In it, the sixth grade students, or teams, build models and research the history of a local building. All entries are judged by local historians for accuracy and depth of research.
Other signs in his spare but spotlessly clean and organized office highlight Dr. Jacoutot’s passion for living and ability to take on whatever challenge comes with the day. Behind his desk he is reminded that “the only easy day was yesterday” Another is Franklin Roosevelt’s belief that “We cannot always build a future for our youth, but we can build the youth for the future.”
What is his biggest challenge as the principal of a 160-student school with about two dozen teachers and a staff of teacher aides, a child study team, administrative assistance and custodians? “He laughs, thinks deeply and says, “it depends on the day.”
But he’s quick to add the primary focus is always on “making the children feel safe, assuring we are up to date on the state standards, which do change, and doing the best we can in the jobs we have.”
It’s this principal’s wise judgement, and an achieved goal that is uppermost in his mind, that every teacher knows every student both academically and emotionally. “It’s just as important to find out why a child does something wrong as it is to discipline him for the wrongdoing. “It all has to be blended,” he explains, “because every child is different, has different tools with which to work, different needs to be met.” That means you can’t just discipline a child, without guiding him to better behavior through listening and understanding.
“There are always challenges” he laughs as he continues explaining in his fast paced yet thoughtful manner, “and each one is different. It’s our duty to accept, understand, and improve.”
Dr. Jacoutot doesn’t appear to stop for an instant without improving himself and added more challenges to achieve. He earned his doctorate in curriculum and instruction from: Liberty University just becoming principal here, and had learned his masters of Education from the California University of Pennsylvania. Now a resident of Tinton Falls, he is engaged to a woman who teaches in Middlesex County and the couple is planning their wedding for next year. He took up running as a hobby and like everything else he takes on, he works hard at it to excel. This year, he completed the half marathon of the New Jersey Shore Runners Club in spite of a rainy cold April day.
How long will he remain principal here? Well, he pauses to think again before adding “I hope I can leave my own mark here. I work with great people, I love the town and its history, I enjoy using my talent to the fullest. But I also believe in lifetime learning. I’m very happy here and I love what I’m doing and have confidence in myself.”
But then he sits back, puts his hands together and thinks before smiling and says: “Who knows? Let’s keep it rolling.”
“This family, whether it was Kathleen and Bernie, Kathleen, Bernie and Jay, or now just Kathleen, is the best. They are a family that has supported every aspect of Jersey City. They don’t support just the police. Or the firemen. They support everything that is right for Jersey City. They do the same down here. We can’t walk away from Kathleen. She’s the best. She’s generous, she’s part of us. She takes care of us.”
And that is only a handful of the compliments and praise the hundred or so retired detectives and police of the Jersey City Department for generations paid to Kathleen Sweeney this week as they overflowed the Galleon Room at the Shore Casino for their 35th annual Christmas Party.
It’s an event that has been happening for 35 years, always at the Casino, always with the Sweeneys.
And it started in a car with a couple of detectives talking.
They all worked together as detectives in the Jersey City Police Department…There were Bernie Kachran, Jim Healy, Ray Waknor and Jack Healy. They worked hard, they played hard. They liked each other’s company. So why not get together around Christmas and celebrate together, they said, sitting in that car that night.
So the tradition began. Nobody thought it could be any place else except the Casino in the Park. The Sweeneys were there, Kathleen in ….yes, indeed a mini skirt, white boots, and a great Irish smile. There was the best food and entertainment any restaurant could offer and it was all there in the Casino in the Park.
And so it went on. The first year of the detectives getting together for a holiday celebration was so popular and talked about that the rest of the department, the patrolmen, the specialists in other fields, everybody in the department…they all wanted to be included.
So 34 years ago, the little party that started in a parked car exploded into a big event that included the entire department. Always at the Casino in the Park. Always because the Sweeneys ran the place.
It continued to happen every year, all the retired men in blue wanted to meet. When the Casino in the Park changed hands eight or so years ago, and the Sweeneys were no longer the owners, the Jersey City gang moved it on to the Shore Casino. “How or why would we ever go anyplace else?” John Foy said. “You couldn’t get a better welcome from anyone like we get from the Sweeneys!”
And on the first Wednesday of 2023, just like on the first Wednesday in December of every other year, it was Kathleen Sweeney who welcomed and flashed that great Irish smile to the hundred or so retirees who crowded into the Galleon Room to reunite, share stories, banter with each other, thank Kathleen and enjoy their time together, enjoy Chicken Marsala, compliment Steve the bartender for his concoctions and joke with happy waiters and waitresses Pedro, Michael and Euphilia for an afternoon of unabashed fun and joy.
Thirty-five years. Any of the retirees could wax eloquent on why the Casino…be it in the Park or Shore…is so important to them. It’s the Sweeneys that made it so. And Kathleen who keeps it alive.
They started their get-together this week, after the initial hellos from retirees who came from all parts of New Jersey near and far as well as from as far south as Florida, offering a moment of silence and happy memories of those who have passed. They included both Bernie Sweeney and Jay Strebb in their memorial, because the two were as much a part of the police department as if they were on the force themselves.
They joked with each other, shared memories. They remembered Steve Stansifer, who has since died, , and others who made their mark on Jersey City history. They talked about the “great run” they had as police officers, those with sons are carrying on generational dedication to protecting others, Middletown’s John Foy was proud his own son was marking his first year as a patrolman on the township police force this week.
The afternoon could not have been more festive, more happy, more fun or more genuine, friendship among men who had faced dangerous situations together during busy years, but could now look back and know they had done their best. And they loved their work.
Sal Frascino lives in Lakewood now and first got on the Jersey City department in 1981. Four years later he was a detective, and five years ago, he retired after a long and productive career. Now he’s fascinated about the history of Lakewood, the town where he now lives in Kettle Creek Heights, a section of Lakewood he’s working hard to be designated as a section on its own to show its personality of its population. Sal put it precisely when asked why the Shore Casino is a must as the location for the annual get together of these men who have done so much for their communities. “It’s because this family does the same thing they did in Jersey City…they knew the pulse of Jersey City and they know the pulse of Atlantic Highlands..They are part of us.”
The retired detectives were honest and effusive with their praise for Kathleen Sweeney….and only one of dozens of organizations that can boast of years of having their annual, or weekly, or monthly meetings at the Casino. Then there are their personal experiences…the weddings, the engagement parties, the birthday parties, the baptisms, confirmations, and anniversaries. And even the repast after funerals.
The Shore Casino. The place with a soft touch for those who put their lives on the line for others, the place that’s a part of the important dates in everyone’s life.
Ask the Jersey City retired police. They’ll talk to you forever about the kindness and generosity of the Sweeneys.
It wouldn’t be Christmas in Colts Neck without Monmouth County Commissioners and Colts Neck Historic Preservation Society President Lillian Burry reading ‘T’was The Night Before Christmas’ to the dozens of youngsters who attend the annual Montrose School Christmas event at the historic one room schoolhouse.
But this year was the very best year yet! That’s true every year, but last week, in addition to the Commissioner’s rendering of the poem, Society members, township committee members and State Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger also honored Commissioner Burry for her half decade of service to the people, the communities and the county. The former County Commission Director and member for 15 years did not seek re-election to the post and will put a finale to her commissioner term this month.
Besides the Township Committee members and the Assemblyman honoring the Commissioner, the Colts Neck Fire Police, as always, managed the traffic in and around the school house and did it with smiles, cheers and praise for the Commissioner. Each of them stopped in as well to add their own congratulations to her while keeping traffic moving safely around the school.
Kudos to the Historic committee’s co-chair Mary Pahira for coordinating all the honors for the Commissioner, as well as presenting that historic framed print that has a story of its own Mrs. Burry will laugh about for years to come.
This is a Preservation Committee that works so hard and so well together, ensuring perfection in all their ventures. Also nice to see they had copies of Commissioner’ Burry’s book on all the historic sites in Colts Neck available for sale. A great stocking stuffer, particularly for new residents who don’t know the wealth of history in these beautiful farms and roads.
Traditionally the children gather around Commissioner Burry who has them name the eight reindeer, then encourages a rousing “Rudolph” from all of them when she asks who was added to the team to light the way for Santa Claus.
The Mike Wells trio was once again present to charm the crowd with their outstanding holiday arrangements. With Mike on the guitar and Andy McDonaughs on the keyboard, the music couldn’t sound any better. Then add Lisa Testa, the singer and percussionist, and you have first class entertainment and sounds to remember. This trio can’t be beat, and they’re an essential part of the Colts Neck celebration!
So nice to hear so many accolades showered on Commissioner Burry and so many people remembering and talking about the myriad variety of ways she has helped so many people. The celebratory cake was delicious as well! A great accompaniment to all the outstanding dishes prepared by Society members.
Children are going to have two important visitors to the Atlantic Highlands Library this week and next, giving them the opportunity first to read, then to be read to! It is quite the December for the kids!
Specially trained therapy dogs will be at the Library today, Thursday, December 7 at 3:15 so children can practice their reading skills with attentive listeners. Even children who do not read yet are invited to come and show picture books to the very attentive canines.
Santa Claus will be at the First Avenue library the following Wednesday, Dec. 13 and again on Thursday, December 14 to read to children and wishing everyone a magical season.
The jolly gent, who loves to encourage children to read books about himself and his elves, will be at the library at 10.am. on December 13 and at 3:15 on Thursday to be sure to be able to see all the children.
All are invited to attend any of the reading sessions.
Children can also pick up a craft kit to make at home at the front desk of the library. On Thursday, December 21, at 3:15, illustrator David Udovic will be at the library to lead children five years of age and older in making a Snowman PopDown craft. The local illustrator will include drawing, coloring, and assembly skill assistance for all crafters.
Weekly story times continues in addition to the additional programs, with baby Storytime for ages 10 months to two years on Wednesdays December 6.13 and 20 at 9:30 a.m., and Toddler Storytime for two- and three-year-olds as well as their parent and caregiver invited to join at 10 a.m. the same Wednesdays.
Grades Kindergarten and older can enjoy after school story time from 3:15 to 3:35 on December 7, 14, and 21, a program that also includes a variety of activities and special guests. The pre-school reading program for ages 3 to 5 follows after school Storytime at 4:00 to 4:30.
In addition to launching the United States into World War II, it marked the day that the first Admiral Isaac Campbell Kidd was killed. He was the highest-ranking casualty at Pearl Harbor, and the first US Navy flag officer killed in action in the War. He was also the first killed in action against any foreign enemy. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
That is only part of the story of a man who made history in so many different ways.
Referred to as the first Admiral Kidd, because his son was Admiral Isaac Campbell, Jr. and his grandson, Captain Isaac Campbell II. The three officers gave 102 years of service to the US Navy.
Admiral Kidd was on the bridge of the USS Arizona when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. He was Commander of Battleship Division One and Chief of Staff and Aide to the Commander of Battleship Battle Force. At first knowledge of the attack, Admiral Kidd rushed to the bridge of his flagship, the USS Arizona, serving as senior officer present afloat when the ship blew up from a magazine explosion.
It was a direct bomb hit on the bridge which killed the Admiral. His body has never been recovered and he is still listed as Missing in Action. Navy salvage divers located his Naval Academy ring fused to a bulkhead on the ship’s bridge. The ring, together with a trunk with his personal memorabilia was found in the wreckage and is now in the USS Arizona Memorial museum.
Admiral Kidd was born in March 1884 in Cleveland, Ohio, and entered the Naval Academy at Annapolis in 1902, graduating four years later and commissioned an ensign in 1908 while participating in the 1907-1909 Great White Fleet Cruise. At that time he was serving aboard the Battleship New Jersey. He served on other ships as well before becoming Flag Secretary to the Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet and was also an instructor at the Naval Academy.
During the first World War, the young officer served as executive officer on the battleship Utah, and later became Captain of the Port at Cristobal, in the Panama Canal Zone. As a captain he was chief of staff to the Commander Base Force United States Fleet, served in the Bureau of Navigation in Washington, D.C. and was commander of Destroyer Squadron One, Scouting Force before the nation entered into World War II.
Twelve days after the Admiral’s death aboard the USS Arizona, his oldest son, Isaac Campbell, Jr., graduated from the Naval Academy and was commissioned an ensign.
Three ships have been named for the Medal of Honor recipient, a Fletcher-class destroyer, Kidd (DD-661), commissioned just two years after his death, the Kidd (DDG-993) the lead ship of four Kidd-class destroyers, and an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, Kidd (DDG-100) which was commissioned in 2007.
Among his numerous awards in addition to the Medal of Honor, Rear Admiral Kidd received the World War I Victory Medal as well as posthumously receiving the World War II Victory Medal.
His citation reads
CITATION
For conspicuous devotion to duty, extraordinary courage and complete disregard of his own life, during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor, by Japanese forces on 7 December 1941. Rear Admiral Kidd immediately went to the bridge and, as Commander Battleship Division One, courageously discharged his duties as senior officer present afloat until the U.S.S. Arizona, his flagship, blew up from magazine explosions and a direct bomb hit on the bridge which resulted in the loss of his life.
More Stories on recipients of the Medal of Honor HERE
New Jersey Recipient of the Medal of Honor for actions on 7 December 1941 HERE
Navy Chief Peter Tomich – Medal of Honor Recipient
Although VeniVidiScripto ran a story about Navy Chief Peter Tomich last April, he deserves attention once again. As we approach the anniversary of Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, we delve into greater details of this veteran of World Wars I and II and this sailor’s entry into the United States from his native land as well as the search for relatives after he was killed on the USS Iowa.
Besides Rear Admiral Isaac Kidd, the highest-ranking military man to receive the Medal of Honor, there were 15 men who were awarded the Medal for valor in combat on December 7, 1941, where the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.
Peter Tomich was one of them. A native of Prolog in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, now Bosnia Herzegovina, Tomich was born in 1893 and immigrated illegally to the United States in 1912. He was 19 years old and lived in Los Angeles with his cousin, John. He died for his country, but there was no family to mourn Peter Tomich, also known as Petar Herceg-Tonic
Tomich joined the US Army shortly after the nation entered World War I and became a naturalized citizen by 1918. He was honorably discharged from the Army in January 1919, and ten days later, joined the US Navy as an engineer. By 1930, the enlisted sailor was a Chief Watertender.
Tomich was serving aboard the USS Utah in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, a battleship, like himself, that was a veteran of the first war. Built in 1909, it had been re-designated as a training and target ship, and was the oldest ship in Pearl Harbor that day. It was the first American ship to be hit by Japanese bombs.
In the opening minutes of the attack 7:55 a.m., the sailors raised the American flag as usual, believing it was a routine day. Five minutes later, when the first bombs fell, the flag on the Utah never made it to the top; it remained at half-mast throughout most of the day.
Tomich was in the fire room where steam is generated for the ship’s engine, when the ship was hit by two torpedoes. Knowing from his 22 years in military service that this would cause an explosion if the hot boilers were in contact with the sea, he ordered the sailors on watch to abandon their engineering space as the ship was capsizing. He ensured that all fireroom personnel had evacuated their stations and remained alone to close the valves to stabilize the boilers. He was trapped inside the room when the ship sank and remained entombed at the bottom of Pearl Harbor.
Because of his actions, Tomich was designated for the Medal of Honor. But there were no living relatives to accept it. The cousin he had identified as next of kin was not at the address given and there was no information about his life in the USA.
With no one to whom it could present the Medal, the Department of Navy decided to name a destroyer escort the USS Peter TOMICH (DE-242) and presented the Medal to the ship itself. The presentation was made on Jan. 4, 1943, by Rear Admiral Monroe Kelly.
When the ship was decommissioned three years later, it was necessary to find another trustee for the Medal of Honor. Since Tomich was entombed in Utah, Utah state Governor Herbert Maw declared him an honorary citizen of the state and the Medal was transferred to the Governor’s Office.
Rear Admiral Mahlon Tisdale, commanding officer of the Navy Base in San Francisco made the presentation to the State of Utah in a ceremony with full military honors in the Rotunda of the Utah state Capitol.
In 1989, the Peter Tomich Hall was built and named at the Senior Enlisted Academy on the Navy installation in Newport, R.I. and the Medal of Honor was transferred there.
The search for family members continued, however. It was learned Tomich was declared legally dead by the Yugoslavian court system, and records of his life in that country were further hampered by the fact he had changed his name to Tonic when he entered the United States illegally. That was his clan name, and he was born Petar Herceg Tonic. Someplace along the way, Tonic evolved into Tomich in the United States.
In 1987, a relative contacted authorities in both countries, and a genealogy search took place. From then through 2005 the search continued until his family roots were finally verified. In 2006, a copy of the Chief’s Medal of Honor was presented to his cousin’s grandson, a retired Croatian Army officer. The presentation was made to LTC Stracke Herceg Tonic aboard the USS Enterprise in Split, Croatia.
Chief Peter Tomich’s Medal of Honor remains in Newport, R.I. A duplicate of the Medal is with the Utah Historical Society, Salt Lake City, Utah, and at the Naval Historical Center, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C.
Since Chief Tomich enlisted in the Navy in New Jersey, the Garden State is credited with his Medal of Honor.
CITATION
For distinguished conduct in the line of his profession, and extraordinary courage and disregard of his own safety, during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor by the Japanese forces on 7 December 1941. Although realizing that the ship was capsizing as a result of enemy bombing and torpedoing, Tomich remained at his post in the engineering plant of the U.S.S. Utah until he saw that all boilers were secured and all fireroom personnel had left their stations, and by so doing lost his own life.
More stories on those awarded the Medal of Honor from the Great State of New Jersey HERE
