Belleville Post Office Dedicated To ‘Fallen Korean War Hero’

BELLEVILLE, NJ — It’s the kind of deed that you usually only see in the movies. But the story of Medal of Honor recipient Henry Svehla – who died after throwing himself on a grenade to save his fellow soldiers during the Korean War – is a real-life tale of bravery under fire that’s still making his hometown proud.

Belleville has its fair share of military veterans who have served courageously on the battlefield (read about two of them below). But when people walk into the U.S. post office on Washington Avenue in Belleville, they’ll be reminded of one of them in particular… Army Pfc. Henry Svehla.

On Monday, Anthony Svehla – the late veteran’s nephew – joined several elected officials and post office staff for a dedication ceremony in his honor.

“Every time people walk through the doors of the Private Henry Svehla Post Office Building, they will walk through a living monument to a great American who grew up right here in Belleville,” said U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, who sponsored the bill that renamed the facility.

During Monday’s ceremony, Menendez presented Svehla’s family with a certificate and U.S. flag, which he and fellow U.S. Sen. Cory Booker recently had flown over the capitol building.

U.S. postal facilities are dedicated by federal laws that are passed by the House of Representatives or U.S. Senate, and signed by the president. The U.S. Postal Service does not influence the process, a spokesperson told Patch.

According to a statement from the U.S. Post Office:

“Henry Svehla, who was born in Newark and lived for a time in Belleville, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his heroism in the act that cost him his life in the Korean War. When an enemy grenade landed among a group of his comrades, Private First Class Svehla, without hesitation and undoubtedly aware of extreme danger, threw himself upon the grenade. Decades later, in a review of his action, his award was upgraded to the Medal of Honor and presented in 2011 to his surviving family members.”

“This post office in Belleville earned another large mission today: to be a proud reminder… and to be a worthy reflection of Private Svehla,” said USPS Northern New Jersey District Manager Michael Deignan.

In addition to Menendez and Deignan, other officials and attendees at Monday’s ceremony included U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, U.S. Rep. Albio Sires, State Senator Theresa Ruiz, Belleville Mayor Michael Melham, USPS Northern NJ District Marketing Manager Mariset Arroyo, U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Morgan, U.S. Army Captain Adrienne Smith, the American Legion Post 150 Honor Guard, the Belleville High School Choir, USPS Newark NJ Customer Service Manager Dennis Martin, USPS Newark NJ Maintenance Employee / Chaplain Fredd Mulligan, and a representative from the office of U.S. Sen. Cory Booker.

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• See related article: Belleville Veteran Who Threw Himself On Grenade To Be Honored

BELLEVILLE’S MANY MILITARY HEROES

“Today more than ever we need inspiring role models,” said Belleville Historical Society President Michael Perrone.

Perrone provide the following biographies of two such role models: Fred Stockham and Alexander Macomb.

WWI HEROISM

“U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Fred Stockham was awarded the Medal of Honor for his World War One heroism. During a mustard gas attack he sacrificed his life by removing his own gas mask and placed it on a wounded 17-year-old private. Stockham was a member of St Peter's Church and lived on William St. He was a local firefighter most likely working at the nearby William Street firehouse.”

• See related article: US Marine Flags To Fly In Belleville For Medal of Honor Recipient

CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL

“Major General Alexander Macomb was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 1814 after his victory at the Battle of Plattsburg, NY. Where his 1,500 troops held off a British force ten times larger. The Congressional Gold Medal was America's original highest honor. General George Washington and Ulysses S. Grant were both awarded the Gold Medal by Congress. Macomb was sent by his parents in New York City to live in Belleville with his aunt so that he could attend the prestigious Newark Academy around 1795. Married in Belleville in 1803. Four of his children born in their home at 125 Main St. In 1815 after his victory Macomb was promoted and transferred to Detroit. In 1828 General John Quincy Adams appointed Macomb to be the Commanding General of the US Army, the highest military office. He died in office in Washington DC in 1841. Macomb's funeral procession was led by President John Tyler and former President John Quincy Adams.”

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