Bordentown- Harry E. Havens, Jr., age 91, died peacefully Sunday with family by his side at Capital Health Systems in Trenton. A 70-year resident of Bordentown City, Harry retired as Superintendent of the Bordentown Cemetery and Chairman of the Bordentown Veterans Advisory Committee. He was an active member of the local VFW, the American Legion and the American Ex-Prisoners of War.
Known by all as "Uncle Harry" he is predeceased by parents Catherine & Harry Havens Sr., his brothers Paul, Charles, Henry and Joseph, his sister Ruth, beloved wife Oneda and son Edward, he is survived by Earl Havens of Whiting, Edward Havens Jr. and family of Hamilton and Lori Olynyk and family of Hamilton, Bruce Archer and Evelyn Popp of Chesterfield, Jake Archer & family of Bordentown, Dusty Floyd and family of Chesterfield and many beloved nieces, nephews, great- grandchildren, friends and neighbors.
Enlisted in the Army at age 19, he served with distinction during World War II in Company G, 7th Infantry, 3rd Division. He fought in Africa, Rhineland, Central Europe, Rome, Arno, GO 40 WD 45, Naples, Foggia, Southern France, GO 33 WD 45 and was at the invasion of Anzio Beachhead. Spending two years on the front lines, Harry earned the Silver Star for his gallantry in action in France in November 1944, for guiding four injured men 400 yards back to an aid station and then returning to the area to help another downed soldier, under heavy enemy shelling. He earned the Distinguished Service Cross on January 25, 1945, for his battlefield actions when his platoon was caught in the crosshairs of three German machine guns near Houssen, France. Harry mounted a tank and directed fire, killing seven and forcing the surrender of 10 Germans. He then charged 100 yards through a hail of fire, burst into an enemy-held house, killed two Germans and dispersed the remainder. After leading his men through anti-tank and 88mm fire to capture those three machine guns, he assaulted a communications trench, captured four of the enemy, and led a room by room fight for possession of 12 buildings. By the end of the charge, 15 Germans had been killed, 10 wounded and 30 captured. Havens was later captured by the Germans in Ultweiler, Germany where he was held as a prisoner of war until his liberation on April 26, 1945.
Funeral Services will be 10 am Friday, June 12, at the Peppler Funeral Home, 122 Crosswicks St, Bordentown, NJ. Interment will follow in Bordentown Cemetery, Bordentown Township. Friends may call Thursday evening from 6 to 8 pm and again Friday morning from 9 am until time of service at the funeral home. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Harry's name to Bordentown Cemetery Veterans Memorial Flag Fund, 210 Crosswicks Road. Bordentown NJ 08505