Bergen County Ceremony Honors Prisoners of War

Bergen County Executive Kathleen Donovan and county freeholders will host an event honoring American veterans who were prisoners of war, service members and civilians still unaccounted for, and their families. 

The POW/MIA Recognition Ceremony is scheduled to be held on Friday, Sept. 20, at 12:30 p.m. at the Bergen County Courthouse Circle of Honor, on Court Street in Hackensack.

Three veterans will be honored during this year’s ceremony, according to a county release. 

Robert Levine was drafted in 1943 at age 18 and served in the U.S. Army’s 90th Infantry Division. He was wounded and captured by the Germans on July 10, 1944, in the Battle of Normandy. 

John Fusaro enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942 at the age of 17. Having been initially wounded in action in France, Fusaro was sent to England for treatment. Upon recovery, he returned to the battlefield and was captured by the Germans in December of 1944 during the Battle of the Bulge. He was held in a POW camp in Nassau, Prussia, until he was liberated by Allied Forces in the Spring of 1945. He will be honored posthumously.

Norman Fellman was drafted in 1943 at age 19. He served in B Company, 275th Infantry Regiment of the Army’s 70th Division, known as the Trailblazers. He was captured by the Germans on January 4, 1945, during the Battle of the Bulge and held in Stalag 9B. 

For further information please call 201-336-6325 or email veterans@co.bergen.nj.us.