Staff Sgt. John P. Quinlan of Yonkers, tail gunner of the ‘Memphis Belle’, holding the lucky horseshoe that accompanied him on all of his missions
By Mary Hoar, City of Yonkers Historian, President Emeritus Yonkers Historical Society, recipient of the 2004 Key to History, Yonkers Landmarks Preservation Board Member, Revolutionary Yonkers 250 Chair and President Untermyer Performing Arts Council
Monday, December 23rd
December 23, 1946: North Atlantic Red Cross official Judson Rees hinted a Red Cross Steering Committee would be appointed after Christmas. Rees had a working knowledge of the Yonkers board, having attended several chapter board meetings.
Board member Morris Goldner told The Herald Statesman he had not resigned, saying a board of directors “can’t be discharged by resolution… resignation must come as voluntary.” Both Goldner and George Yanosik abstained from voting on the resignation resolution at the meeting; Luke Onorato voted No. Goldner added absent board members couldn’t be forced to resign.
Tuesday, December 24th:
December 24, 1943: Memphis Belle tail gunner and Truman Avenue resident John Quinlan’s photo appeared on the back cover of Major Ledding’s book, “Skyways to Berlin;” the accomplishments of the Memphis Belle was mentioned prominently in the book. The picture was taken as Sergeant Quinlan and the crew reported to the Major before takeoff.
Quinlan was known as the “Yonkers hero of World War II.”
Wednesday, December 25th
December 25, 1925: The Yonkers Fire Department had a busy Christmas morning, with four false alarms and a blaze at 32 North Broadway. Fire started in an auction shop; merchandise worth $14,000 went up in flames. The fire spread next door to a silk store; silk valued at $40,000 was destroyed. Four hose companies fought the fire.
Thursday, December 26th
December 26, 1941: A Christmas Day test of emergency mobilization of our 125 Yonkers Auxiliary Policemen led the Common Council to purchase flashlights, badges and nightsticks to properly equip our officers.
Friday, December 27th
December 27, 1921: Retired Rear Admiral Purnell Harrington, Mayor’s Honor Roll Committee Chairman, announced the committee finished its assignment. They identified 6,909 Yonkers people who served in the military during the World War; 172 men and one woman had made the supreme sacrifice.
Saturday, December 28th
December 28, 1966: Helicopter pilot John Roatch of the Keystone Helicopter Company put a 2,750-pound steel condenser through a hole in the roof of a 55-year-old building to put needed machinery on the top floor of Refined Syrups and Sugars on Federal Street near the Hudson. The condenser was thirteen feet high and four feet in diameter. Instead of taking three days to bring it in by crane, Roatch had it in place in ten minutes!
He was so precise, it was in place before company officers could take the elevator to the eighth floor to watch!
Sunday, December 29th
December 29, 1902: Yonkers resident Gus Williams, well-known American-German comedian and vaudeville star, sent out New Year’s cards with the message, “Father Time Ushering in the New Year and Plenty of Coal.”
Sunday, December 30th
December 30, 1934: Police Chief Edward Quirk announced Yonkers New Year’s Eve revelers could make all the noise they wanted… as long as they did not damage property!
December 30, 1943: Staff Sergeant John Quinlan, tail gunner on the famous Flying Fortress Memphis Belle, made his mother a very happy woman; he came home on a long furlough!
Monday, December 31st
December 31, 1921: Mrs. Carrie Thomas took her oath of office to become Justice of the Peace; she held her court at the Woman’s Institute on Palisade Avenue.
December 31, 1929: The managers of the RKO Proctor, Loew, and Strand Theaters announced plans to raise admission prices ten cents because of the new and expensive equipment needed for the “talkie system” of movies.
Tuesday, January 1st
January 1, 1874: Kingsbridge was annexed to the Bronx.
January 1, 1941: FCC assigned Edwin Armstrong’s FM frequencies 40 FM channels and authorized commercial service.
Wednesday, January 2nd
January 2, 1911: The Board of Contract and Supply held their last meeting in Manor Hall before moving to the new City Hall. They awarded a contract to wire the City Hospital for Contagious Disease to Youmans Electric Company for $407.
January 2, 1921: Division winners in the Chamber of Commerce Popularity Contest were announced. John J. McCormick topped policemen with 1,318,762 votes; Thomas Barden exceeded the firemen with 727,505 votes; William LeBailey outdid the other letter carriers with 326,610; and Margaret Rau led the teachers with 192, 334 votes.
Thursday, January 3rd
January 3, 1945: After runner PFC Albert Corbett of Ashburton Avenue made his way through enemy fire to deliver important messages to his platoon while it was being attacked by enemy riflemen, he then took position as a rifleman and helped to drive off the attacking enemies. He went on patrol and “returned with valuable information about the enemy that later was used to inflict heavy casualties on the hostile forces.” For his heroic actions, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.
Friday, January 4th
January 4, 1936: Umpire Bill Grieve began a two-year term as the assemblyman from Yonkers. He served 1936-1937 in Albany.
January 4, 1940: Edwin H. Armstrong demonstrated his “staticless” FM system in a relay through five States!
Saturday, January 5th
January 5, 1922: Because there was money left in the fund for the Hudson-Fulton celebration in 1909, it was decided to build a Hudson-Fulton monument near Greystone.
January 5, 1940: Edwin Armstrong demonstrated his “static less” system for operators in the FM Broadcasters group. The program originated in Yonkers and relayed to Boston, to the Yankee Network Weather Service station, then back to Yonkers.
Sunday, January 6th
January 6, 1880: Western Union opened Yonkers first telephone exchange.
January 6, 1918: The Four-Minute Men of Yonkers, a branch of the nation group under the supervision of the Federal Government, began its work here by delivering short talks at local theaters urging purchase of War Savings Stamps.
Questions or comments on this column? Email YonkersHistory1646@gmail.com.
For information on the Yonkers Historical Society, Sherwood House and upcoming events, please visit our website www.yonkershistoricalsociety.org, call 914-961-8940 or email info@yonkershistoricalsociety.org.
