PASCACK VALLEY AREA, N.J.—Congratulations to George M. DeRosa, recent New Jersey Fifth District Hero, an American Legion Post 162 past commander—and ongoing recruitment dynamo—and all-around Hillsdale-area champion.
To his long list of life accomplishments he adds Bergen County Veteran of the Week for the week of Jan. 13, 2021.
Bergen County Commissioner Steve Tanelli took evident delight in announcing DeRosa’s honor, first explaining that Bergen County Veteran of the Week is a project in collaboration with the Bergen County Division of Veteran Services to collect, preserve, and make accessible the personal accounts of American veterans for future generations.
DeRosa is on a growing roster of recipients, along with Bergen County Director of Veteran Services Ariel “AJ” Luna of Fair Lawn, Joseph “Mighty Joe” Maugeri of River Edge, Dionisio Cucuta Jr. of Englewood, and the late Vito Trause of Carlstadt/Township of Washington.
Tanelli noted that DeRosa grew up in Astoria, Queens. He attended William Cullen Bryant High School, graduating in 1950. Shortly thereafter, DeRosa enlisted in the United States Navy during the Korean War.
Here, more detail from Tanelli’s writeup of the honoree:
DeRosa attended basic training at the United States Naval Training Center in Bainbridge, Maryland. After basic training, he was assigned to USS Atka (AGB-3), a U.S. Navy icebreaker.
As a storekeeper on the USS Atka, DeRosa’s responsibilities included the purchasing and procurement of food, emergency equipment, and foul weather clothing.
The USS Atka’s primary responsibility was to provide icebreaking and escort services to support the annual resupply of remote northern Artic bases, such as the Strategic Air Command installation in Thule, Greenland. In the early 1950s, Thule would periodically serve as a dispersal base for B-36 Peacemaker and B-47 Stratojet missions.
During DeRosa’s summer deployment to the Artic, the USS Atka encountered ice fields ranging 8–10 feet thick. The USS Atka would break the ice fields and the supply vessels would need to follow the ship’s wake or risk getting locked in the ice.
Throughout the day, they would encounter average temperatures of 25 degrees below zero and 50 degrees below zero at night.
After his time on the USS Atka, Mr. DeRosa served on the USS San Pablo (AGS-30) and the USS Great Sitkin (AE-17). By the time DeRosa was discharged in 1955 as a petty officer first class, he had traveled the world and been to Greenland, Canada, Puerto Rico, Bermuda, England, Germany, and Sweden.
The Navy’s slogan when Mr. DeRosa joined was “Join the Navy and see the world.” He certainty saw his fair share of it.
After his military service, DeRosa used his GI Bill to attend St. John’s University. After obtaining his college degree, he began a 37-year career with The New York Life Insurance Company. Initially, he worked in sales and sales management, but by the end of his career was the director of compliance for the company.
During his time with The New York Life Insurance Company, DeRosa moved to Hillsdale, New Jersey with Joan, his wife. Over the years, he has volunteered within his community. He has served as a local school board member and has been involved with the Hillsdale Historical Society, Meals on Wheels, English as a Second Language program, and with American Legion, Post 162 in Hillsdale.
As an American Legion member for 35 years, he has served as the Post Grand Marshal and Post Commander.
He has also won the prestigious Legionnaire of the Year award for his leadership and efforts in constantly recruiting new members for Post 162.
Most recently, DeRosa was honored by Congressman Josh Gottheimer as a New Jersey Fifth District Hero for his community service.
He resides in Hillsdale with his wife of 61 years. They have a son, daughter, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren.
— Bergen County Commissioner Steve Tanelli
‘Atta-boy!’
On Facebook, the honor drew applause from some of DeRosa’s many fans. A sample:
- Gerry Brown wrote, “So very proud of you George, my brother, my friend.”
- Raymond Kohan shared, “A Kohan Atta-boy to pops!”
- Gemma Baffa wrote, “Congratulations, George, so well deserved. Thank you for your service!”
- Lorrie Schneider shared for herself and Chris, “George, congratulations and thank you for your service then and your continued service!”
- And Edith Tortora Micale said, “So proud of you. A well deserved recognition.”
For his part, DeRosa wrote, “Thank you everyone.”
General Leonard E. Wood Post 162 in Hillsdale is the post for residents of Hillsdale, Woodcliff Lake, and Old Tappan. Active membership includes veterans from the greater Pascack Valley, Northern New Jersey, and out of state. Visit americanlegionpost162.org.
The Division of Veterans Services was established in 1977 to provide resident veterans and their dependents with information and assistance in obtaining earned entitlements from federal, state, and local governments, as well as any that are available from the private sector.
