Photo's and Stories from John's proud son John L Polson;

John G. Polson Jr. (1915-1979)

John was born September 18, 1915, the second of five children in Philadelphia, Pa. to John Sr. and Lidie (Gallagher) Polson. His parents lived in Paulsboro, N.J. on the family farm. John graduated from Paulsboro High School in 1933. After he graduated he went to work at the Socony Vacuum Oil Co. refinery on the river in Paulsboro and worked on the family farm.

On March 18, 1941 John enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assigned basic training at Fort Lee, Virginia in the 6th Quarter Master Regiment, Company E, Platoon #2. John remained at Fort Lee becoming 1st Sergeant (drill instructor). During his time at Fort Lee John married his sweetheart Emma (Cairns) of Gloucester, N.J. in November 1942.

In early 1943 John received orders to the Pacific. Throughout the remainder of the war John supervised and directed work in an administration section of a headquarters organization. His unit served in Australia, New Guinea and the Philippine Islands. Awards earned during his service were Good Conduct medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations ribbon, American Defense ribbon and Philippine Liberation ribbon.

A letter from John to his wife Emma on January 14, 1944 detailed a mission into the hills of New Guinea. They were sent on a rescue mission for

a downed B-17. The grueling mission thru the jungle and up the mountains lasted sixteen days and tested the soldiers to the limit. They were unable to locate the plane or any survivors although they enlisted many local natives in the effort. It wasn’t till the 1990’s the plane was found and the airmen’s remains were returned to the United States and interred in Arlington National Cemetery.

John and his unit returned home after the war ended and he was discharged at Fort Monmouth, N.J. on December 11, 1945. John and his wife got reacquainted and moved to Audubon Park, N.J. Socony Vacuum Oil Co. held his job and he returned to the Power House where he spent 44 years as a Stationary Engineer. The couple and their new born son John L. moved to a newly built home in Sewell, N.J.in 1952. In 1957 they welcomed a daughter Bernadette F. to the family. Both John and Emma became deeply involved in their children’s activities including the Sewell Boys Club, Scouts, Dance and Baton, School and church. John also was an avid hunter and fisherman and the family enjoyed many vacations at the New Jersey shore and boating on his boat “Chicken Plucker.”

John and Emma shared their home in Sewell together until John passed away at the age of 64 years on August 19, 1979. They were happily married for 37 years. On this date as I write this story, Emma passed away on August 12, 2010 at the age of 90 years. Their son John L. completed 36 years employed at the same oil refinery (Valero) as his Dad and is retired with his wife Kathleen (Altemus) and 2 sons John Jr. and James T. in Pittsgrove, N.J.

Their daughter Bernadette attended college; works as an executive for American Airlines; married Walter Kloc and Lives in Southampton, N.J…

John G Polson Jr