Salem To Dedicate Veterans Square For Memorial Day

SALEM, MA — A US Navy Seaman from Salem who served for eight years before being killed during a Japanese attack off the coast of Australia during World War II will be honored with the naming of a veterans square on the corner of English and Cousins Streets on Memorial Day.

The public is invited to the ceremony on May 26 at 11 a.m. in honor of US Navy Seaman 1st Class Anthony Frank Pydynkowski. He served for six years years in the United States Marine Corps before enlisting in the US Navy in 1940.

On Feb. 19, 1942, while at anchor off the coast of Darwin, Australia, the USS Preston and the Allied fleet were attacked by a large force of Japanese bombers. The USS Preston was hit as it attempted to make for the open sea, resulting in 11 men killed, two missing, and three wounded.

Seaman First Class (S1C) Pydynkowski suffered third-degree burns in the attack and later died of his injuries. He was buried at sea.

S1C Pydynkowski’s awards include the Purple Heart, the Victory Medal, and the American Defense Service Medal.

A collation at the VFW on Derby Street will be held immediately after the dedication ceremony.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)