Middletown Committeeman's Grandfather In Law Honored For WWII Service

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — As the United States prepares to celebrate its founding this Friday, three men from the Jersey Shore — who are now either 99 years old or have since passed away — were honored last week because they risked their lives to serve our country, defeat the Nazis and end World War II.

And one of them is the late William Kwasnicki, grandfather of Kristen Clarke, who is the wife of Middletown Committeeman Ryan Clarke.

Approximately 407,316 members of the American military died in World War II.

Last Thursday, June 26, the families of Kwasnicki and the two other Jersey Shore veterans were honored with a special ceremony held at the U.S. Capitol.

Here are their stories:

• John Wardell, who will turn 100 next month and lives in Point Pleasant, was a U.S. Army Ranger in World War II. Wardell is a Purple Heart recipient. Wardell was born on July 12, 1925 in Point Pleasant. After graduating from high school, John entered the Army in 1943 in Camden and attended basic training at Camp Blanding, FL. Arriving in England in April 1944, John volunteered for the Rangers and was sent to Baggy Point, England for Ranger training. On June 18, 1944, he arrived on Omaha Beach in Normandy. During the remainder of the Normandy campaign, John conducted patrols and training. In August 1944, he then moved into Brittany to engage the Germans at the Battle of Brest before heading across France. John participated in the Battle of the Hürtgen Forest from September- November. In early December, the 2nd Battalion moved into Bergstein to gain control of Hill 400. To the Rangers that fought there, it was known as “The last hill," as they hoped the long and bloody war in Europe would be coming to an end soon. John was wounded here on December 7 and later rejoined his company on Christmas Day 1944. John was honorably discharged from the Army in 1945 at Fort Dix, NJ. After his service, John started several businesses, generously served his community and along with his wife, Nancy, raised their children Ted and Amy.
• William Henry Kwasnicki, who has since passed away, was born in Mahwah. He served in the 2nd Infantry Ranger Battalion and stormed the beach in Normandy, France on D-Day. He helped destroy the German artillery on Omaha Beach. He was wounded three times and received the Purple Heart with two Oak Leaf clusters. Kwasnicki was also a recipient of the Silver Star for gallantry in action on D-Day, a Bronze Star and his entire Ranger unit was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. Middletown Committeeman Clarke attended the June 26 ceremony with his family, honoring his wife Kristen’s late grandfather.
• Leonard “Bud” Lomell, formerly of Toms River, has also since passed away. As a first sergeant in the U.S. Army, 2nd lieutenant Lomell, landed at Pointe du Hoc, Normandy, on D-Day, and successfully scaled the cliffs, despite a withering German defensive barrage. Pointe du Hoc is a rugged 100-foot-high coastal promenade along the English Channel. It was located between the American landing beaches of Omaha and Utah. Lomell and another Ranger, Sergeant Jack Kuhn, destroyed German weapons they found unattended. Lomell subsequently received a battlefield promotion to second lieutenant, and was awarded some of the Army’s highest honors, including the Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart and Silver Star. His daughter, Renee Lomell, attended the ceremony on behalf of her family and deceased dad.

“The United States is especially indebted to the service, bravery and heroism of those who defended freedom in World War II,” said Congressman Chris Smith who represents both Wardell and the Clarke family in Congress and who also served as chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee.

Continued Smith:

“John Wardell and his fellow Army Rangers fought with unmatched courage and tenacity, under the most difficult conditions, met the enemy head on overcoming ferocious defenses while leading the invasion of Europe to ultimately secure victory and peace. We are forever grateful to these heroes and their extended family members for their sacrifice and service to our nation.”

In 2022, Rep. Smith supported legislation S 1872, (PL 117-132), which mandated awards on behalf of Congress for U.S. Army Ranger veterans in recognition of their dedicated service during WW II.