Hoboken has A Proud Military History

By Dennis Sevano

Those of us who attended the old No. 6 School in Hoboken -- which was located on what is now the playground at 11th Street and Willow Avenue -- appreciated the many memorable educators who taught us. But as we mainly whined about school and occasionally grudgingly appreciated it, it was doing something far more important than teaching us facts and figures: It created within us a strong identity, a sense of belonging, and served as a source of safety and learning.

After 1944, School No. 6 was renamed Wallace School, honoring three brothers who were killed in World War II: Lt. Commander Daniel J. Wallace of the Navy Air Force, Lt. William F. Wallace of the Army Air Force and Ensign James Myron Wallace of the Marine Air Force. Instrumental in the renaming of School No. 6 was Dudley Schlosser, a World War II veteran and a voice of old Hoboken.

The school grounds also housed the recreation yards, testing our ability to play all types of ball. The neighborhood surrounding the school was alive with families and businesses. The uptown retail merchants provided food and clothing goods for all: Elise and Kramer’s Confectionery, Brody’s Clothing, Gruby’s Deli, the 14th Street Diner, Willow Pharmacy, Schnakenberg’s Luncheonette, and, of course, the fancy Helmar’s Restaurant. The community also housed the Second Precinct Police Department, at the corner of 11th Street and Willow Avenue, a car dealership at 13th Street and Willow Avenue, and, for the local do-it-yourselfers, an auto supply store on the east side of Willow Avenue, across from the Wallace School. The community of caring for children in need included the Mary Hammond Orphan Home.

And while, as children, we didn’t necessarily need to recognize the significance of our school or playground name, as adults we should.

Hoboken has played a pivotal role in wartime. In 1917-18, during World War I, the piers of Hoboken were an essential part of the war effort as soon as the country became involved in the European hostilities.

The Mile Square City was an essential muscle of the war. The vibrant port and piers with their water slips, docks and yards became the departure point for two million service men sailing to Europe between 1917 and 1918, where soldiers yelled: “Heaven, Hell or Hoboken!” While Boston, Baltimore, Philadelphia and sites in Virginia were also ports of passage, the Hudson harbor of Hoboken was critical to the growing military effort.

Many Hoboken residents of German and Irish descent were not fully supportive of the country’s declaration of war since relationships over the years with the British Empire were strained. Nonetheless, America was committed, albeit with lingering resentment from many locals with meaningful objections.

Longtime animosity with threads of malice were aimed at our brothers and sisters of German roots, so much so that the famous German Club at 600 Hudson St. changed its name, becoming the “Union Club” during these unsettling times.

Whether it be in warring conflicts, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq, Afghanistan or periods of peace, affirmation of those who were willing contributors of their selfless service is worth calling to mind.

“Take patriotism away, and the nation’s soul has fled.”

Some of the Hoboken men who gave service to their country and crossed my path over the years are those like James Jacobson (Army), Richard "Dick" England (Army), Thomas Turner (Navy), Neil McGovern (Marine), Chuck Emery (Marine), Bernard McGovern (Army), Wayne Dorr (Army), Tommy O’Connell (Navy) and Don Gerbehy (Air Force). There were also the late Kennedy Brothers -- Joe (Air Force), Mickey (Army), Tom (Marine), Richard (Army) -- and the late Lisa family -- Michael (Army), Jimmy (Marine), Joseph “Gigi” (Navy) and Harold (Army).

Tuesday, November 11, 2025 is Veterans Day – a day dedicated to these soldiers and so many others who made Hoboken proud.

Dennis Sevano was born and raised in Hoboken. He is now a resident of Teaneck.

This is an updated version of an article that appeared in NJ.Com, Updated: Nov. 09, 2023, 4:05 p.m., Published: Nov. 09, 2023, 3:19 p.m.