HONORING TROY’S VETERANS
Every Sunday through Veteran’s Day, The Record will publish brief profiles of the brave men and women honored by their family and friends with banners hung around Troy through the work of the Troy Military Banner Committee. To honor a veteran, contact the committee by email at troybanners@gmail.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com.
Thomas F. Roberts
Roberts was born October 13, 1910, in Troy, the only child of Frank and Mary (Gallagher) Roberts. He was educated at St. Peter’s Academy and LaSalle Institute, graduating in 1929. After graduation, he was employed by the A&P grocery on Ferry Street in Troy.
On January 29,1942, a few weeks after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, Roberts enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was trained at the Naval Training Station in Newport, Rhode Island, and the Great Lakes Naval Training Center near Chicago. After completing his training, Roberts was transferred to Bremerton, Washington, in December 1942 as a machinist mate second class and was assigned in August 1943 to the USS Liscome Bay.
After arriving at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the Liscome Bay was part of naval exercises as an escort carrier on what would be its first and last mission. On November 10, 1943, the Liscome Bay left Pearl Harbor as part of Task Force 52, bound for the invasion of the Gilbert islands, and met up Nov. 23 with the USS Coral Sea and the USS Corregador off the Makin Islands. The next day, at 5:05 a.m., as planes were ready to be launched off the fight deck, a torpedo from a Japanese submarine struck the Liscome Bay in the engine room and the aircraft bomb stockpile, causing a massive explosion. Less than 30 minutes later, the Liscome Bay listed onto its side and sank, taking 53 officers and 591 enlisted men with her, including Roberts.
Roberts’ body was never recovered, but he was declared dead Nov. 25, 1944 and a solemn Mass of Requiem was celebrated Dec. 10, 1944, at St. Augustine’s Church in Lansingburgh. He was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart.
James A. DeBonis
DeBonis was born June 11, 1922, and lived in Troy his entire life. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a private first class with the 208th Engineer Combat Division. He was stationed in central Europe, including France, Belgium and Germany and was awarded the American Service Medal, EAME Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and Victory Medal.
When DeBonis returned home, he opened a Shell gas station in Troy and then moved on to open a nightclub, Dukes’s Musical Bar, and then another nightclub, The Riviera Lounge on River Street. The remaining years of his life were spent running
DeBonis Tavern on 4th Street. He died May 1, 1987.
He married the love of his life, Louise Sorrento, and together, they raised five children — four daughters and a son. He also had three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, as well as four brothers. DeBonis had a great love for the Troy Flag Day Parade because of his patriotism.