South Orange Remembers George McCoy

"South Orange is a town that remembers its history," said U. S. Representative Bill Pascrell, Jr., as he stood at the town flagpole on Saturday, recognizing the addition of George Baldwin McCoy to the list of South Orange residents who served and died in World War I. Pascrell addressed Village President Doug Newman; Trustee Janine Bauer; Michael Festa, Health Officer, representing Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo; members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars; Boy Scouts, including Eagle Scout Chris Rodino; Girl Scout Troop 816; and members of the South Orange Police Department, the South Orange Rescue Squad and several guests.

Pascrell recognized the efforts of many local residents as well his own staff person, Nancy Everett, in bringing George Baldwin McCoy to the attention of Village officials. The name is now inscribed on the memorial, which is located at the intersection of South Orange and Irvington avenues. Pascrell noted the community's commitment to veterans, a commitment that he listed as one of his priorities in serving the Eighth Congressional District.

It was the role of Girl Scout Troop 816, which is led by Karen Hartshorn Hilton and this writer, to remind listeners that George McCoy has meaning for them too.

"George McCoy was born in 1892 to Kate—which is also my name—and Walter McCoy. His friends called him Baldy," said Katie Hilton, to chuckles from the audience. Her sister, Elizabeth, explained that, George McCoy, his brothers and sisters lived on Hartford Road, "in the house where we now live."

Nathalie Spidle told the listeners, "George was educated at Miss Beard's School, South Orange High School—which became SOMS, where I go—and Newark Academy." June Solow drew parallels to her own experience growing up in Montrose.

Indeed, though McCoy's father was Village Trustee and then U. S. Representative for the Eighth and then the Ninth Congressional District, the Girl Scouts focused on the younger McCoy.

"In 1917, George enlisted to fight in World War I," said Carina Steficek. "He signed up to go to France. He spent his last week of vacation in South Orange, where I live."

Celia Accardi explained that McCoy was wounded by gunshot on July 19, 1918, and died the next day. He was buried in France. According to Chelsea Gray, "McCoy was reinterred at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.  When George died, a service was held at his church, which is now St Andrews- Holy Communion."

The name George Baldwin McCoy, newly carved on the flagpole, is a culmination of several months of research and collaboration, as Village President Doug Newman noted. Saturday's ceremony was the same. As the girls spoke, South Orange Police Department officers—"our brothers in blue," as Pascrell described them—held traffic at bay.

Curious spectators watched from the other side of South Orange and Irvington avenues, as the final Girl Scout spoke. Abigail Baker said, "We are proud to recognize George McCoy today as a hero, someone South Orange can be proud of."

As onlookers glanced at George Baldwin McCoy's name behind where she stood, Baker explained, "Many of us walk home from school along South Orange Avenue, and we will never see this important flagpole the same way again, now that George's name is listed here."