NORTH BRUNSWICK – Three members of the same family were honored for their service to the country.
The intersection of Laurel Place and Cedar Avenue will bear a secondary street sign for Holz Way in honor of August, the late William Kenneth and Edward Holz.
August “Gus” Holz was born on Feb. 23, 1926, at Cedar Avenue in North Brunswick.
He was drafted out of high school at age 18 to the U.S. Army. He began his basic training in Texas and was sent overseas shortly after on the Queen Mary to Scotland. His final destination was Belgium where he joined the 78th Infantry Division where a series of battles were fought from September to December 1944 between the American and German forces. His division fought under heavy artillery and aircraft bombing. He fought at the Battle of Remagen which resulted in the capture of the Ludenforff Bridge. As the war came to a close, he was promoted to platoon sergeant and sent for duty in Breman. He earned two stripes and the Combat Infantry Badge, according to a proclamation read in his honor on April 23.
Holz worked as an electrician for New Brunswick Squibbs, which is now Bristol-Meyers Squibb, for 43 years before his retirement in 1989.
He is married to Thelma (Balis) and together they have two children, Nancy and Richard, as well as two grandchildren. Holz is still a resident of North Brunswick and has been for 92 years.
William Kenneth “Ken” Holz was born March 25, 1930, at Cedar Avenue in North Brunswick. He is the brother of Gus Holz.
He began his service to the U.S. Air Force in February 1951. He was a staff sergeant of the 99th A&E Maintenance Squadron and the 99th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron with the 57th Air Division. He was stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, Washington, for three years and also in Fairbanks, Alaska. He received the National Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged in 1955, according to his proclamation.
Ken Holz worked as an elevator operator at the Roger Smith Hotel in New Brunswick, which today is the Heldrich Hotel. He also worked for Mac Motors and as a milk distributor for Holz Dairy.
He was married to the late Ruth (Langer) Holz. They had four children, Carol, Edward, Dawn and David. They also had five grandchildren. Holz passed away at age 76.
Edward J. Holz, the son of Ken, was born on April 15, 1959, in North Brunswick. He graduated from North Brunswick Township High School in 1977.
Edward enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in October 1977. He completed basic training and graduated from Air Cargo Technical Training Course at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. His first assignment was to the Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, as a records and reports clerk and was later promoted to shift supervisor. He filled many positions from 1981-88, according to his proclamation.
Edward Holz served two six-month tours, one to a classified CENTAF location and the other during Desert Shield/Dessert Storm, where he was superintendent, ATOC and a military airlift command senior representative of three locations. In 1994, Holz was named to the International Airlift Control Element as the sole U.S. transporter in Norway. He was recognized as the 21st Air Force Transportation Senior NCO of the Year, according to his proclamation.
Edward Holz was reassigned in October 1997 as superintendent, Logistics Flight in Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras. He began his final assignment at Dover Air Force Base, as superintendent, Freight Flight, in October 1998. He is a graduate of the PACAF Leadership School, MAC East NCO Academy and Senior NCO Academy, according to his proclamation.
Edward Holz earned numerous military awards including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force Achievement Medal, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal with two bronze stars and the Kuwait Liberation Medal, according to his proclamation.
Edward Holz is married to Tina and they have two children, Brandy and Edward James II, and four grandchildren.
Also on April 23, Georgianna Way was established at the intersection of Riverton and Walnut streets.
The late Francisco Anthony “Frank” Georgianna was born on Oct. 17, 1922, in New Brunswick. He moved to Walnut Street in North Brunswick in 1958.
Georgianna served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean War. He earned the Korean Service Medal and the United Nations Service Medal. He was honorably discharged in May 1952, according to his proclamation.
Georgianna worked as a warehouse administrator for the U.S. General Services Administration at the Raritan Arsenal in Edison for 35 years. He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a member of the Knight of Columbus Council 257 and a lifetime member of the North Brunswick First Aid & Rescue Squad for more than 50 years, according to his proclamation.
Georgianna was married to Mildred (Sekman) and they have four children, Debra, Kathleen, Thomas and Michael. They also have five grandchildren. Georgianna passed away on June 11, 2010, after a brief illness.
The street sign program allows township residents, who were wartime veterans, to be recognized by adding their name on a secondary street sign to an existing municipal road in order to promote public awareness of these individuals and show appreciation for their outstanding contributions and service as a member of the United States Armed Forces.
Wartime veterans served in the active military forces during a period of armed conflict or received the armed forces expeditionary or other campaign service medals during an emergency condition, including those who died in the line of duty in the active military forces.
Eligible candidates include honorably discharged veterans having served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and the Coast Guard.
To nominate a veteran, living or deceased, contact Lou Ann Benson, director of the North Brunswick Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Services, at 732-247-0922, ext. 475 or [email protected].