George Toriello sent me this information on Denniston Averill whose name is on the
Plaque at City Hall in Hackensack honoring those who died while in the service during
World War II. We have not been able to find any other link to Hackensack other than his name on the Plaque at City Hall, which is enough to reveal the people in Hackensack knew him at the time and were willing to pay tribute to him by putting his name on the Plaque.
Denniston Averill was born in Cuero, Texas on January 10, 1926. The 1930 Census states he was living at 295 Johnson Ave. Teaneck, New Jersey. When he registered for the draft on October 16, 1940, he was still living in Teaneck and was employed by
Johns-Manville Corporation.
Denniston Averill enlisted into the Army on January 6, 1941 and rose to the rank of 1st Lieutenant with the 7th Armored Division, where he lead a tank Platoon.
On December 20,
1944, while in the area of Samree Belgium, Denniston Averill was
Killed in Action.
Click here to view article dated March 1, 1945.
Click here to view Memorial Bio Information on “Find-a-grave” telling of Denniston- Averill’s heroic actions, which awarded him a Purple Heart, Silver Star, and Bronze Star respectively.
We do not know at this time when Denniston Averill was repatriated, but we do know where he is buried in George Washington Cemetery in Paramus, New Jersey.
Click here to view Military Grave Marker of Denniston Averill’s final resting place.
Let us never forget the soldiers sacrifice.
Written by:
Bob Meli
April 3, 2020
