Sen. Kaminsky Honors WWII Veteran and Woodmere Resident

(WOODMERE, New York) - Today, Senator Todd Kaminsky inducted WWII veteran and Woodmere resident Max Marcus, Petty Officer, Third Class into the New York State Senate Veterans’ Hall of Fame, recognizing him for his honorable and selfless service to the nation and his fellow veterans. Senator Kaminsky honored Mr. Marcus in a socially-distant private ceremony at the Marcus home in the presence of immediate family. 

“On this Veterans Day, I’m especially thankful to have the opportunity to honor Petty Officer Max Marcus for his brave service during the Second World War,” said Senator Todd Kaminsky. “We all owe Max our gratitude for his service to our country, along with his commitment to freedom and family, which is why I’m proud to have nominated him as our district’s inductee to the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame. I hope this recognition brings him and his family pride for generations to come.” 

About the NYS Senate Veterans’ Hall of Fame:

The New York State Senate Veterans' Hall of Fame was created to honor and recognize outstanding veterans from the Empire State who have distinguished themselves both in military and civilian life. It is a chance for the Senate to honor the heroic New Yorkers, to whom we owe a tremendous debt of gratitude.

About Petty Officer Max Marcus: 

Max Marcus grew up in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. He had always felt a sense of duty and appreciation for his country, and hoped that one day he would be able to leave his mark on the world. 

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, he knew that this was the moment that would define his life. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1943, at 19 years old, and left the only city he had ever known to complete basic training in Sampson, New York. Mr. Marcus assumed that he would be sent to the European front, where many of his enlisted friends were going, but instead he headed to North Africa. 

When he arrived at the North African front, he was assigned to the amphibious division and would transport soldiers from ships to the shore where they would engage with the enemy. This specialized unit played a crucial role in the African campaign, with so many engagements occurring on the shores of Morocco and Tunisia. Max would help navigate LCMs (Landing Craft Mechanized) boats, and would transport 50 soldiers at a time from larger ships to the shores and engage in combat.

With the North African campaign slowing down, the focus shifted to the European front. After numerous missions, Max shipped out to the European front and fought in the invasion of Italy. He was an instrumental part of the historic campaign, Operation Avalanche, where the allies landed near the port of Salerno under the guidance of four star general Mark W. Clarke. A main objective of the campaign was to seize the port of Naples to ensure resupply, and to cut across to the east coast, trapping the Axis troops further south.

He was part of the second wave and did the same job of transporting troops from ships to the shore where they engaged the enemy. It was for his actions here that he received the Combat Action Ribbon, American Campaign Medal, European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Honorable discharge button and the Honorable Service Medal. 

In total he spent over 2 years overseas and was discharged in 1946.

Max Marcus is named to the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame by Senator Todd Kaminsky.

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