Berlin, N.J. — Berlin Cemetery War Memorial
The Berlin Cemetery War Memorial, located on the White Horse Pike (U.S. Route 30) in Berlin, N.J.
Located within the grounds of Berlin Cemetery on the White Horse Pike (U.S. Route 30) on the western side of town, this series of monuments honors area residents who died in armed conflict, including Lenape Indians and Hessian soldiers who are buried there. Berlin Cemetery was founded in 1766. 2nd Lt. Warren Stafford, Jr. is the specific subject of the largest memorial on the site. Also mentioned is Carlton Rouh, who won the Congressional Medal of Honor during World War II and is buried within sight of these monuments.
The Berlin Cemetery War Memorial.
Nor Shall Your Glory Be Forgot, While Fame Her Record Keeps
| Name | Rank | Branch | Unit | Born | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warren Stafford Jr. | 2LT | Army Air Forces | 358th Bomber Squadron, 303rd Bomber Group, Heavy | 2/3/1944 |
Berlin Cemetery World War II War Memorial
The Berlin Cemetery World War II War Memorial, dedicated to Warren Stafford, Jr.
Warren Stafford, Jr., 2nd Lieutenant, O-749940, U.S. Army Air Forces. Volunteered in January, 1942 and rejected for underweight by the Navy and the Coast Guard, but accepted by the Air Forces as an Aviation cadet.
Reported for active service at Trenton, N.J., and later stationed at Nashville, Tenn., and Santa Ana, Calif., for pre-flight training, at Deming, N.M. for bombardier training, Carlsbad, N.M. for navigation, Coyote, Tex., Dalhart, Tex., and Kearney, Neb. for crew training. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant on July 10, 1943 at Deming, N.M. He left Kearny Army Air Field, Kearny, Neb. on December 16, 1943 by air for England by way of Newfoundland. With his crew he was assigned as a replacement to 358th Bomber Squadron (Heavy), 303rd Bomber Group, nicknamed “Hell’s Angels” of the 8th Air Force, stationed at Molesworth, near Kettering, England.
On February 3rd, 1944 the 303rd Bomber Group marked its second year of service. According to reports on that date, 600 bombers and accompanying fighters left on a mission to bomb the U-Boats and Naval Base at Wilhelmshaven, Germany. His entire B-17 Flying Fortress crew of ten men were reported missing in action over Germany on February 3rd, while returning from a successful mission to Wilhelmshaven. He was entitled to wear the American Defense Medal and European Theater Ribbons, and was awarded posthumously the Purple Heart.
Captain Carlton P. Rouh, USMC
Captain Carlton P. Rouh, USMC is noted at this memorial site. He is buried a few yards away from the monument pictured above. Captain Rouh was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions during World War II.
HMTS Rohna
Six men from Camden, N.J. — Frank Ballerino, Michael Carr, Michael Yachus, Stephen V. Koscianski, Lewis Riondino, and Joseph H. Johnson — died together when the troop transport HMTS Rohna was struck by a German guided glider bomb and sank off the coast of North Africa. In addition, six other Camden County men — 19-year-old Harry V. Taylor Jr. of Haddonfield, Merle Reagle of Lindenwold, Walter McKeon of Blackwood, Carl Johanson and Jacob K. Jenkins of Pennsauken, and Elmer F. Day of Merchantville — also were lost that day. In total, 1,015 men were lost, but the story was never told to the families or the general public for over 57 years due to wartime censorship.