TJ Lamanna – Cherry Hill Public Library’s Veterans Oral History Project

Jack Moldoff

Years of Service: 1942-1946

Branch: Army

Unit: CB1 517 Company

Jack was drafted into the Army in November of 1942. He has chosen not to enlist in order to support his family, but was more than willing to join when his draft number came up.

He fought through basic training in Ft. McClelland, AL until he was sent to Camp Van Dorn in Mississippi where he was assigned to his unit. His tour brought him to Rio de Janeiro, Cape Town, and Bombay until the final stop in Khorramshahr, Iran.

After 1 1/2 years in Iran, he was next stationed in Egypt followed by India and China. After 10 months in China it was finally time to ship home and Jack returned to U.S. soil for the first time in over three years.

Clarence Henry Davis

Years of Service: August, 20 1951 – July, 26 1953

Branch of Service: US Army

Highest Rank: Sergeant

Clarence was born in 1930 in Camden, N.J. and was drafted into the US Army in 1951.

He served in the 625 Field Artillery Battalion 40th Infantry Division where he fought in The Battle of the Punchbowl, Heartbreak Ridge, and Kumwha Valley.

During his time of service he received the Army Commendation with Metal Pendant for Meritorious Achievement and the Korean Service metal with two bronze stars.

Arthur L. Johnson

Years of Service: 1949-

Branch of Service: Marines

Highest Rank:Corporal

Arthur Johnson was born in 1928 in Orangeburg, N.C., and was drafted into the Marines since the Army has reached it’s N.C. quota.

After training in Parris Island (Camp Lejeune) he fought in the front line in the Battle of the 38th Parallel.

During his tour of duty he earned two purple hearts; one for being shot in the right leg and another for losing his left eye.

He has since become the 3rd pastor of St. Paul’s Baptist Church in Philadelphia where he has served for 34 years.

He is proud of his granddaughter Alicia who is currently serving in the Marines.

Leonard I. Slutsky

Years of Service: May 1933 – Oct 1945

Army Ordinance

Highest Rank: Tech Corporal

Leonard I. Slutsky served in the 34-83rd Ordinance in the Pacific Theatre and most notably in the Battle of Leyte Gulf in Octorber of 1944.

Leonard received a Purple Heart after being wounded in the line of duty as well as the Pacific Emblem and Good Conduct Metal.

When not working in ordinance he enjoyed working on cars and trucks and one of his favorite moments and when he has the pleasure of fixing MacArthur’s wife’s broken down car.

George Evans

Service Years: June 2, 1959 – February 1, 1983

U.S. Navy

Highest Rank: CPO (FTMC)

George Evans was born in Mt. Carmel, LA on January 13, 1942. He is the son of Madie L. Evans and Charles P. Evans and is the oldest of eight siblings.

He graduated from George Washington Carver High school in DeRidder, LA in May of 1959 and enlisted in the US Navy the following month, and throughout his naval career he worked in Naval Weapon/Combat System (Fire Control Technician and Fire Control Officer).

His first sea assignment was USS Harry E Hubbard (DD-748), and after serving on the Hubbard as a FT Striker he attended FTA and FTC Schools at Naval Training Center Sand Diego.

From 1966-1968 he was given shore leave as an instructor at Guided Missile System Training School in Mare Island, CA and then served as the Fire Control Technician on the USS Yarnell from 1968-1971.

Following the Yarnell he returned to Instructor Duty from 1974-1977 at Mare Island.

He retired from active duty in 1983 and has worked as an AEGIS Combat Systems Training Analyst, Computer Consultant and Support Technician.