Frank Maltese Sr. NORTH BRUNSWICK — A family that included five World War II veterans will forever have a place in the heart of North Brunswick.
Township officials paid tribute to the Maltese family by reviving the Wartime Veteran Street Sign Program, which had stalled due to the lack of new streets being built. Officials decided to move the program forward by placing signs with veterans’ last names above existing street signs.
Councilman Bob Davis, who was involved with the creation of the program, said the Township Council hopes to dedicate a street sign every month.
In June, a sign reading “Maltese Way” was added at the intersection of Revere and Otis roads.
The Maltese family included five brothers who served in World War II — John, Nicholas Jr., Frank, Philip and Joseph.
John was born on Feb. 28, 1916. As a young man he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was stationed in Bremerton, Wash., where he was an underwater welder who repaired and maintained equipment on all military and naval ships.
John Maltese Nicholas was born on June 5, 1918, and enlisted in the U.S. Air Corps in January 1942. Nicholas arrived in Panama after his basic training in March 1942 and served as an aide to Lt. Gen. Hubert Harmon on special assignments. He returned to the U.S. after two and a half years overseas, and was sent to McClellan Air Force Base in California, where he prepared for departure to Guam and the invasion of Japan. He was discharged as a sergeant on Oct. 16, 1945, shortly after the Japanese surrendered. He received the American Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and Victory Medal.
Frank was born on Dec. 15, 1920, and also enlisted in January 1942 in the U.S. Air Corps. His rank was sergeant. Frank also was sent to Panama after his basic training in March 1942. He was stationed on the Pacific side, guarding the entrance to the Panama Canal. He was overseas for two and a half years and returned to the U.S. in June 1944. Like his brother Nicholas, Frank was sent to McClellan Air Force Base and prepared for the departure to Guam and the invasion of Japan. He was discharged on Oct. 14, 1945. He received the American Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Distinguished Service Medal and Victory Medal.
Joseph Maltese Philip was born on Jan. 16, 1923, and enlisted in July 1943 in the 310th Infantry Regiment, 78th Division. He was a carbine sharpshooter and leader of a 12-man squad. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge, the Ardennes, the Rhineland, Central Europe, Germany and Belgium. Philip returned from overseas duty on Feb. 10, 1946, when Germany was defeated. He was discharged on Feb. 15, 1946. He received the American Service Medal, European- African- Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal and World War II Victory Medal. He reached the rank of sergeant.
Nicholas Maltese Joseph was born on July 11, 1925, and enlisted in September 1943 in the U.S. Navy Reserve. He was an armed guard gunner on supply ships to Europe and Murmansk, Russia. He was discharged on April 5, 1946. He received the American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three stars, and World War II Victory Medal. He was a seaman first class.
In addition, their sister Frances worked for a clothing company by day and served as a civilian plane spotter at night during the war. Their oldest brother, Anthony, had left during the Great Depression to work with the Citizen Conservation Corps in Idaho to send money to his family, and did not serve during the war. The family also had two other sisters, Rose and Malta, who were too young to serve in the military at the time.
Philip Maltese Greater Media Newspapers interviewed Maltese family members who were still living in 2007.
Frank said the family was all delighted about being honored by the township at that time.
“Too bad my brother John didn’t survive, because he would’ve appreciated that, surely and truly,” Frank said at the time. “My sisters are happy and my brothers [are happy], and my mother and father would have been extremely proud, as well, [of] somebody finally recognizing the big family they produced.”
The street-naming program is designed to recognize wartime veterans who have served their community and country. Nomination forms are available on the township’s website at www.northbrunswicknj.gov.