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Vito Trause
A photograph of Trause taken during World War II, with Trause wearing a coat, shirt, tie, and U.S. army-issued hat
Trause during World War II
Born(1925-07-19)July 19, 1925
Carlstadt, New Jersey,U.S.
DiedOctober 31, 2019(2019-10-31)(aged 94)
Washington Township, Bergen County, New Jersey,U.S.
Resting placeGeorge Washington Memorial Park
40°56′24″N74°5′13.2″W/ 40.94000°N 74.087000°W/40.94000; -74.087000
NationalityAmerican
Spouse
Theresa Iwanowski
​
​
(m.1952;died2005)​
Children2
AwardsEuropean–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medalwith threebronze stars,World War II Victory Medal,American Campaign Medal,Army Good Conduct Medal

Vito Trause(July 19, 1925 – October 31, 2019) was anItalian-Americansoldier in theUnited States Army,prisoner of warduringWorld War II,semi-professionalathlete, and community figure inNew Jersey.

By November 30, 1943, Trause dropped out of high school during hisjunior yearin order to join the United States Army. As a private first-class, Trause trained inAfricaand fought in theItalian Campaign,where he served in theUnited States infantryas ascout.He was captured by theSSoutside ofFlorencein September 1944 and subsequently transported toStalag VII-A,a camp forprisoners of warrun byNazi Germany,where he was held until he was liberated by American troops on May 2, 1945.

After the war, Trause returned to the United States, living in his hometown ofCarlstadt, New Jersey.He competed as a semi-professional football and baseball athlete in the years following the war and married a receptionist fromEast Rutherford, New Jerseyin June 1952. After moving toClifton, New Jerseywith his wife in 1952, he moved toWashington Township in Bergen Countyin 1967, where he lived the remainder of his life. In his later years, he became a well-known New Jersey community figure and gained international attention after being awarded his high school diploma at the age of 92. Following his death in October 2019, Trause was buried atGeorge Washington Memorial ParkinParamus, New Jersey.

Early life[edit]

Trause was born on July 19, 1925.[1]He grew up inCarlstadt,New Jersey and received his elementary education atCarlstadt Public School,where he was a member of the school'schoir.[2][3]He later attendedEast Rutherford High School,where he played football and baseball.[4][5]On November 30, 1943, Trause dropped out of high school during his junior year in order to enlist in the United States Army duringWorld War II.[6][7]

World War II[edit]

Vito Trause (right) circa 1945

Military service and capture[edit]

Trause received 17 weeks of infantry training atFort McClellaninAlabama,before undergoingmountain warfare traininginNorth Africa.[1]Following the completion of his training, he traveled toNaplesaboard a British troop transport to begin combat against theItalian Social Republic.[1]

As a private first-class,[8][9]Trause fought inthe Italian Campaign,where he served as a scout in the 168th Regiment of the34th Infantry Division.[10][11]He participated in theBattle of Anzioand thereafter began participating in scouting operations on theGothic Line.[12]On the morning of September 24, 1944, Trause became separated from his fellow soldiers while on a scouting mission in theApennine Mountainsoutside ofFlorenceand hid inside of a nearbyfarmhouse.[8][12][13]Later that day, Trause was ambushed byWaffen-SSsoldiers and captured in the farmhouse.[8][12]After briefly being taken toBologna,[8]he was subsequently transported byboxcar[10]toStalag VII-A,a camp for prisoners of war run byNazi Germany,where he was held for much of the remainder of the war in Europe.[4][2]

After his capture by the Nazis, Trause adopted thepseudonymof "Al",[note 1]fearing that referring to himself as "Vito" would expose his Italian heritage and subject him to the beatings experienced by other Italian-American prisoners of war.[2]Several days after arriving at Stalag VII-A, however, he was assigned prisoner number 139217, by which he would be referred to throughout the remainder of his imprisonment.[2][15]

While at Stalag VII-A, Nazi Germany subjected Trause toforced laborinvolving the repair of railroads that had been damaged by bombs dropped by theRoyal Air Forceand the recovery of corpses.[16][17]Trause often found himself working alongsideJewsimprisoned withinNazi concentration camps.[1][16]Throughout the winter of 1945, he was not provided proper footwear by his German captors, leading to one of his feet becoming swollen.[18][2]A Jewish prisoner who worked with Trause stole shoes from a corpse, smuggled them under his coat, and delivered them to Trause.[18][2]Trause would go on to say the stolen footwear saved him from dying or having his foot amputated; Trause believed that the Jewish prisoner's actions saved his life.[18][2]

While detained in the German prison camp, Trause subsisted on a diet of bread and potatoes.[10]When he was liberated by American troops on May 2, 1945,[18]Trause weighed 131 pounds (59 kg),[4]some 35 pounds (16 kg) less than at the time of his capture.[17]

After his liberation from the prison camp, Trause and several of his fellow prisoners-of-war obtainedHarley-Davidson motorcycleswithsidecarsand began to drive towardsParis.Six days later, on theday that Nazi Germany surrendered to the Allies,Trause and his comrades arrived in the French capital.[4][12]After convalescing in Paris, Trause embarked on a troop transport inLe Havreand returned to the United States.[19]

Service awards[edit]

For his service during World War II, Trause earned theEuropean–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medalwith threebronze stars,theWorld War II Victory Medal,theAmerican Campaign Medal,theArmy Good Conduct Medal,andCombat Infantryman Badge.[20][18][6][21]He was also aPurple Heartrecipient.[22]

Post-war life[edit]

Theresa Iwanowski, Trause's soon-to-be wife, in 1951

After returning to the United States, Trause competed as a semi-professional athlete in both football and baseball. Trause was signed by theSt. Louis Cardinalsand briefly played baseball for its minor league affiliates.[17][23]Trause was a semi-profullback,[24]competing in the Bergen County Football League as a member of the Hackensack Angels[25][26][27]and in the New Jersey Pro League as a member of the Passaic Red Devils.[28][29]He also competed as a semi-pro baseball player for the Carlstadt Pros.[30]Trause continued to play sports throughout much of his adult life, playingsoftballuntil he was over 70 years old.[31]

Trause, aCatholic,[31]joined theCatholic War Veteransin September 1948.[32][33]He was also a member of theKnights of Columbusand theVeterans of Foreign Wars.[17][34]

Throughout much of his adult life, Trause worked two jobs simultaneously;[20][31]he worked for the East Rutherford Syringe Company andMagnavox.[1][8][35]

Family life[edit]

Trause's mother died two years after Trause returned to New Jersey following the Second World War.[36]

Trause married Theresa Iwanowski, anEast Rutherfordreceptionist, on June 7, 1952.[35][37]The pair moved toClifton, New Jersey[35]and had two daughters, Cynthia and Victoria.[16][20][4][5]The family moved toWashington Township,a town inBergen County, New Jersey,in 1967.[16]Trause remained married to his wife until she died on August 6, 2005.[16][38]

Later years and death[edit]

Vito "Pal" Trause Way in Washington Township, Bergen County, New Jersey

Community presence[edit]

In his later years, Trause became a community figure in New Jersey. He was known as the "daytime mayor" ofWashington Township,the town in which he resided inBergen County, New Jersey.[23][39]He was also known as aWestwood Regional High Schoolathletics super-fan[40][41]and booster,[42]and as a mentor both to high school students and many members of his community at large.[43][44][45]

Local honors[edit]

Locals considered Trause to be awar hero.[18]In July 2015, a parade was held in honor of his 90th birthday in Washington Township; among the participants were a brigade of police cars,firetrucks,and 20 motorcycle riders of the Carlstadt-based Nam Knights of America.[31]At a June 2018 ceremony, Trause was awarded his high school diploma at the age of 92, atHenry P. Becton Regional High Schoolas a part of theNew Jersey Department of EducationOperation Recognition program.[46][20][47][6]With military commanders in attendance, the school's principal awarded him a diploma from East Rutherford High School as well as replicas of each of the awards that Trause had received as a result of his military service during the Second World War.[20]Four months later, the Borough of Carlstadt renamed a portion of its Lincoln Street after Trause, who had grown up on the street during his childhood.[18][2]In January 2019, theNew York Knickspresented Trause with an honorary jersey and a graduation cap signed by its players.[18][48]

In May 2019, just over five months before his death, Washington Township and theBorough of Westwood, New Jerseyeach petitioned theBergen County Board of Chosen Freeholdersto rename the stretch of the township's Ridgewood Road in front of Westwood Regional High School in honor of Trause.[18]


Death[edit]

Trause died suddenly onHalloweenin 2019, after attending a party with a local senior organization.[16][18]His daughter attributed his death to heart and lung problems.[18]He was buried atGeorge Washington Memorial ParkinParamus, New Jersey.[18]

Following Trause's death, a memorial trust was established in his name to providecollege scholarshipsfor graduates of Westwood Regional High School.[14]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^Some works, such as the 2007 memoir written by fellow prisoner-of-war Paul W. Church titledCigarettes for Bread,refer to Trause as "Al".[14]

References[edit]

  1. ^abcdeTanelli, Steven (September 23, 2020)."Bergen County Veteran of the Week: Vito Trause".Bergen County Division of Veteran Services.RetrievedJune 30,2021.
  2. ^abcdefghKatzban, Nicholas (November 23, 2018)."World War II veteran lives to see Carlstadt street renamed in his honor".Asbury Park Press.
  3. ^"Gives Concert at Carlsdadt: Public School Orchestra Presents Program".The Bergen Evening Record.December 23, 1936. p. 11.
  4. ^abcdeCooper, Darren (September 7, 2017)."Cooper: Vito Trause a patriot, hero and Westwood fan".The Bergen Record.
  5. ^abClark, Patrick (September 5, 2019)."World War II veteran takes in Cardinals game on national ballpark tour".KTVI.
  6. ^abcGrant, Meghan (June 21, 2018)."NJ high school surprises WWII veteran with diploma 73 years later".The Bergen Record.
  7. ^Castro, Valerie (June 22, 2018)."'I Felt So Great:' 92-Year-Old WWII Veteran Gets High School Diploma In N.J. "WCBS-TV.
  8. ^abcde"Interviews with Vito Trause".Brookdale Community College.November 9, 2019.
  9. ^"Latest War Casualties Among Men from the Three-State Metropolitan Area".The New York Times.May 12, 1945. p. 13.
  10. ^abcHampton, Deon (September 17, 2011). "TRIBUTE TO WAR PRISONERS AND THE MISSING".The Bergen Record.
  11. ^Burger, Kathryn A. (June 13, 2001)."Two Graduates Share their Stories of Life's Challenges".Pascack Valley Community Life.pp. 32, 63.
  12. ^abcd"Vito Trause tapped Grand Marshal".Pascack Valley Community Life.May 14, 2014. p. 25.
  13. ^"All Eight Carlsdadt Men Made Prisoners by Nazis Liberated".The Passaic Herald-News.May 25, 1945. p. 13.
  14. ^abCooper, Darren (January 12, 2020). "The Legend (and Stories) of Vito Trause will never die".The Bergen Record.p. 8S.
  15. ^"Meet Vito Trause, WW II POW and NJ's Oldest High School Graduate".YouTube.New Jersey School Boards Association. August 7, 2018.
  16. ^abcdefKatzban, Nicholas (November 2, 2018)."Vito Trause, who left school in Bergen County to fight in WWII, dies at 94".The Bergen Record.
  17. ^abcdEvelyn Lauer. "IN WAR, VETERAN LEARNED CARING TIME AS POW CHANGED HIM."The Bergen Record,January 22, 1992.
  18. ^abcdefghijklSnyder, John (November 1, 2019)."Vito 'Pal' Trause, Beloved Local War Hero, Dies at 94".The Pascack Press.
  19. ^"Memorial Day parade honors veterans".Pascack Valley Community Life.June 13, 2013. p. 36.
  20. ^abcdeDarrah, Nicole (June 21, 2018)."WWII POW gets surprise diploma 75 years after leaving high school to join Army".Fox News.
  21. ^"In Service".The Passaic Herald-News.August 23, 1945. p. 8.
  22. ^"Trauses Hold Open House for 3 Sons".The Passaic Herald-News.August 21, 1945. p. 12.
  23. ^ab"Opening Night Festivities Mark the Start of a Grand Season".Pascack Valley Community Life.March 17, 2000. p. 8.
  24. ^"Bergen College Rips Angels 14-0 for Second Victory".The Bergen Evening Record.October 12, 1946. p. 13.
  25. ^"The Schedule".The Bergen Evening Record.September 17, 1946. p. 16.
  26. ^"2 Tilts Slated as Semi-Pros Continue Play in Bergen County Football League".The Bergen Evening Record.September 28, 1946. p. 12.
  27. ^"Lodi Rams to Play Angels".The Passaic Herald-News.October 12, 1946. p. 11.
  28. ^"Red Devils in Opener Sunday".The Passaic Herald-News.September 9, 1947. p. 17.
  29. ^"Red Devils at Stadium".The Passaic Herald-News.September 27, 1947. p. 8.
  30. ^"Kievitts-Cubs Tangle at City League Clash in Third Ward".The Passaic Herald-News.April 26, 1947. p. 11.
  31. ^abcdDiskin, Colleen (July 19, 2015)."Cheering on the No.1 Fan".The Passaic Herald-News.
  32. ^"Bowles Nominated as CWV Post Head".The Herald-News.September 17, 1948. p. 15.
  33. ^"Staff Nominated by Catholic Vets".The Bergen Evening Record.September 18, 1948. p. 16.
  34. ^"Cancer Victim Dies but Legacy Lives On".The Record.May 22, 1991. pp. PV-1, PV-5.
  35. ^abc"Theresa Iwanowski has Church bridal".The Herald-News.June 9, 1952.
  36. ^Hampton, Deon (September 17, 2011). "Bergen Pauses for Remembrance".The Bergen Record.pp. L1, L6.
  37. ^"Carlsdadt Club Closes Season".The Passaic Herald-News.June 6, 1952. p. 10.
  38. ^"TRAUSE".The Bergen Record.August 8, 2005. p. L-3.
  39. ^"Champions of Men's Softball League Honored at Victory Bash".Pascack Valley Community Life.September 27, 2000. pp. 8–9.
  40. ^Cooper, Darren (September 1, 2017)."Vito Trause, 11 other reasons to love H.S. Sports".The Record.p. 7S.
  41. ^Cooper, Darren (September 8, 2017)."A Patriot, Hero, Westwood Fan".The Record.p. 9S.
  42. ^Snyder, John; Sullivan, Paul (December 4, 2023)."Westwood undefeated state champs".Pascack Press.
  43. ^Snyder, John (December 2, 2019)."Call For School Turf Field To Be Renamed For Vito Trause".The Pascack Press.
  44. ^Snyder, John (November 15, 2019)."Township Dedicates Scout's Veterans Memorial".The Pascack Press.
  45. ^Snyder, John (July 23, 2019)."Eagle Scout Stickel earns praise, plaque over memorial".The Pascack Press.
  46. ^"Meet Vito Trause, the 92-year-old WWII veteran who was presented with high school diploma".The Economic Times.Press Trust of India.June 23, 2018.
  47. ^"2012 Veterans In Their Own Words Part 4: Vito Trause".WCTV-NJ.November 14, 2012.
  48. ^"Knicks Hoops for Troops".New York Knicks.December 2019.RetrievedJune 5,2022.

Further reading[edit]

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