Krinsky, George Leo

Michelle Kukan

1919

New York

1943-10-16

Electrician's Mate First Class

2234831

1938-09-14

1943-10-16

Purple Heart

George Krinsky enlisted into the United States Navy on ​​1938-09-14. He was received on board the USS Bushnell (AS-2) as an Apprentice Seaman on 1939-01-11. He had been previously stationed in Newport, R.I. He was promoted to Seaman Second Class on January 14. His next change in rank, which occurred on 1939-03-21, was to Fireman Third Class. On August 16, he was promoted to Fireman Second Class. On 1940-02-29, he received the rank of Electrician’s Mate Third Class.

In July of 1940, Bushnell became the USS Sumner (AG-32). Krinsky, ranked as an Electrician's Mate Second Class, was received aboard the USS Meredith (DD-434) on 1941-03-01. He received his final promotion on 1942-02-01, which was to Electrician’s Mate First Class. In September of 1942, he volunteered to serve in the Navy for two more years. On 1942-10-12, the USS Meredith departed the island of Espiritu Santo for Guadalcanal on escort duty. On October 15, the USS Meredith got caught between enemy naval forces. Meredith was subsequently attacked by thirty-eight enemy aircraft as well as enemy bombs and torpedoes. As a result of the damage, the ship broke into three parts and was sunk in under ten minutes. Krinsky was reported missing in action near the Solomon Islands on 1942-10-15. He was declared dead on 1943-10-16.

George Leo Krinsky was born 1919 to couple John and Elizabeth Krinsky in New York. He had eight older siblings: Annie, Mary, Steve, Rose, John, Michael, Elizabeth, Helen. His three younger siblings were Olga, Joseph, and Harold. The Krinsky's lived on Island Road in Mahwah, NJ. They were members of the Holy Ghost Greek Church, Mahwah. He graduated from Mahwah High School in 1937. In 1938, after his high school graduation, he enlisted into the US Navy. He was declared dead in 1943. Krinsky Court in Mahwah, NJ has been named after him. Krinsky is memorialized on the Walls of the Missing, Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Philippines.

Father: John

Mother: Elizabeth

Siblings:
Annie
Mary
Steve
Rose
John
Michael
Elizabeth
Helen
Olga
Joseph
Harold

USS Meredith (DD-434), Destroyer History Foundation.

Photo 1: Krinsky in posing in his Navy uniform, place and date unknown (Madeline Martis Gil).

Photo 2: Jewish Serviceman Card for Krinsky, filled out by the National Jewish Welfare Board, Bureau of War Records (Ancestry Library).

Photo 3: Krinsky's name (fifth name from top) listed on the Walls of the Missing in the Manila American Cemetery, Philippines, date of photo unknown (American Battle Monuments Commission).