Newton Harrison Zanes II

Newton Harrison Zanes II went to his final rest on Monday 5 Aug 2024 at 102 years of age. Newt was born to Newton Harrison Thompson Zanes and Marion Fulton Armbruster Zanes of Paulsboro New Jersey on Monday 12 Dec 1921. 

Early Life - Newt experienced loss early in life. Grace A Zanes, (b. 6 Jun 1918), his older sister, was 6 years old when she succumbed to rheumatic fever issues on 24 Jan 1925; Newt was 3. His father, Newton Harrison Thompson Zanes, died of pneumonia related complications in Feb 1933 at 43; and, at 11, Newt became the man of the house. His younger brother, Charles Plum Zanes (later known as Uncle Charlie), was 3. 

High School - Newt was still growing in high school and not yet large enough to play football; however, he was very athletic. He was a competitive pole vaulter and held the school record for hand-over-hand rope climbing that stood for years after he graduated. Newt was industrious - in high school, and after graduation, he worked as a motion picture projectionist at a local theater in Paulsboro and ushered at another. His projectionist job paid about $6 per week - helping him do his part to support their household. He also mowed lawns for 25 cents; and, he had a paper route. Newt said, “people weren’t afraid to work;” in those days - he certainly wasn’t. During his 2 year tenure at Hill Theater, Newt had ample opportunity to watch news reels and was well informed regarding world events - including the uncertainty brewing with the European conflict.

Career Options - Newt graduated from Paulsboro High School in June 1939. Socony Vacuum Oil Company owned the land just behind the school; its refinery produced lubricating oil as well as by-products of gasoline and kerosene. The Pegasus was its corporate symbol when it became Mobil Oil, is the school symbol for Paulsboro High, and has donned its annuals since the first edition of the Pegasus Yearbook in 1938. Paulsboro’ population in 1940 was about 7,000. Common employment options for local graduates included two potential career paths - Socony Vacuum Oil Company or nearby DuPont. 

Marine Corps - Newt’s horizons extended beyond Paulsboro; he didn’t relish the prospects of a decades-long corporate career culminating with a gold watch. Additionally, with World War II in progress, Newt was interested in supporting his country. On a trip to Philadelphia with his aunt and cousin to bid his cousin farewell as he shoved off with the Navy, Newt was distracted en route by a Marine Corps recruitment office; he detoured. Though he didn’t see his cousin ship off, he did obtain a recruitment consent packet. When he returned home that Tuesday, he tossed the packet on the dining room table and went upstairs to change for work. His mother perused the packet and pursued her son - she asked him if that’s what he really wanted to do; he said yes, and she consented. Three days later - on Friday 12 Jul 1940, Newt enlisted in the US Marine Corps - he was 18. This was Newt’s first move; it was to be but one of well over 40 during his lifetime. This young bread winner was off to become a world war winner. Once a Marine, always a Marine.

Boot Camp - Newt was destined for leadership. His recruiting sergeant put him in charge of the group of 6 bound by train to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in Parris Island South Carolina. Newt’s Drill Instructor (DI) - DI Schuman - was to have a significant impact on Newt’s entire life during those three months (Jul-Sep 1940) of boot camp. A “China Marine,” DI Schuman was very tough; Newt said he was grateful throughout his career for lessons he learned from his DI. Newt recalled various punishments imposed by DI Schuman for perceived or real infractions - including having to sleep on rifles, holding heavy buckets of sand until he couldn’t release them, marching with sewed-shut pockets full of sand, drilling the troops, or having to duke it out with another troop in the “square circle” (an evening pursuit designed to resolve disputes). Newt liked to march - “if the music was good.” DI Schuman once made Newt responsible for a fellow troop who couldn’t keep in step when marching - he routinely marched in front of Newt, ergo it became Newt’s job to keep him in sync. So Newt would kick the guy when he mis-stepped; not surprisingly this wasn’t well received, and Newt ended up in the “square circle” with his training victim more than once. Newt thought perhaps DI Schuman was testing his mettle. Or perhaps DI Schuman was in cahoots with Newt’s mother Marion. Once, when he was 5, all dressed up and ready to go to the fair, Newt was in the front yard at home when his mother told him not to leave the yard. Newt left the yard. Oopsie, bad choice. When he got back, his parents were gone and there was a note on the front door that read, “go to your Uncle Morris’ house, we’ve left.” Newt learned valuable lessons from his mother and the lessons continued in boot camp. At the very least, Newt was learning self-discipline in a more advanced setting and from a teacher every bit as resolute as his own mother.

Marine Aviation - After graduation (ca Sep 1940), when DI Schuman read assignments, Newt wasn’t mentioned. Upon rechecking, DI Schuman told Newt he was going to Marine Aviation. Newt was so excited he said he was walking about 9 feet off the ground - turns out the flying had already started! He hadn’t known Marine Aviation was an option. His interest in aviation began early - Newt recalled as a young teenager lying on the bank of Mantua Creek watching the USS Akron dirigible releasing and recapturing small biplanes in military practice. Newt’s first ever airplane ride was in a BG1 Boeing Wood and Canvas Biplane taildragger - not surprising since he remembered ice being delivered to his boyhood home via horse and buggy. Though he never piloted in a professional capacity, Newt would himself later become a private pilot. Newt recalled that, prior to his selection, only about four enlisted men per year were selected for Marine Aviation. Apparently, the self-discipline he collaborated on with DI Schuman was paying dividends. The Marines would send Newt on a variety of missions during his tenure - but first he was off to Quantico Marine Corps Base in VA to await his initial assignment. 

Guantanamo - Newt’s first assignment was to McCalla Field Guantanamo Bay Cuba (Oct 1940 - Mar 1941). His positions included guard duty and working for the supply sergeant. His squadron trained via war games on the USS Wasp and the USS Ranger Aircraft Carriers. Airplanes included the Grumman F3F-2 Biplane Fighter and Curtis Helldiver. At the end of his Cuba assignment, he shipped back to Cape Hatteras NC on the USS Wasp in a storm so strong waves were washing over the deck, and those not on duty remained strapped in their bunks for safety. More self-discipline.

V-mail and Fruitcake - Newt used V-mail to communicate with his mother. V-mail or “Victory mail” was a postal system designed to reduce space needed to transport mail. V-mail, or the “Army Micro Photographic Mail Service,” letters were photographed in microfilm and then transported, reproduced, and delivered - saving valuable shipping space for other supplies. Over 1 billion items were processed using V-mail between Jun 1942 and Nov 1945. V-mail was censored before it was photographed - at one time there were 10,000 censors employed between the United States and United Kingdom just to review WW II mail. Henry Angle was Newt’s censoring officer and Newt said he “got away with murder” because every year Newt’s mother Marion sent Henry one of her coveted 16 pound brandy-soaked fruitcakes because she had gotten to know Henry during the communication process between her and Newt.

American Samoa / Pacific - Newt shipped back to Quantico and remained there until the Americans were drawn into the war on 7 Dec 1941. He was playing pinochle with his buddies when the news reached them. By 11 Dec 1941, now Sergeant Newt and Chief Warrant Officer Teddy Gooding were placed in charge of the troop train on its 5 day (2,600 mi) journey to Miramar CA - then bussed the remaining 20 mi to North Island Naval Air Station (NAS). All Marine Aviation personnel were mustered in a hangar at the NAS and divided among 5 Marine Aircraft Groups (MAGs); Newt was assigned to MAG 13 - the group that was shipped via USS President Garfield to American Samoa in Feb 1942. American Samoa was an American defense line as well as one of the staging areas for the 1st offensive on Guadalcanal (7 Aug 1942 to 9 Feb 1943). Newt was assigned to Tech Sergeant Ward to help with clearing and building the campsite. Newt was never far from his military pistol (.45) as there were Japanese submarine incursion parties from time to time that once claimed the lives of about 6 Marines. MAJ Bowman was the commanding officer (CO) in charge and once put Newt on 2 weeks restriction for being away from his post (while using the facility due to dysentery), and Newt asked “on restriction from what?” (apparently there wasn’t much going on) to which MAJ Bowman replied “30 days - anything else to say?” The two soon became good friends. MAJ Bowman went on to become Major General (MG) Bowman and stayed in touch or asked about Newt for the next 60+ years. Newt was assigned to the crew who flew the Commanding General - MG Charles FB Price - in his PBY (Patrol Bomber - Catalina) in support of his mission - wherever he needed to go. MG Price would later become Lieutenant General Price and be awarded the Legion of Merit by Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, in recognition of his “outstanding work in successfully coordinating and supervising the defense of the Samoan Islands.” Newt loved his work; his mission-related travels took him all around the Pacific including the Solomon Islands, Gilbert Islands, Marshal Islands, New Caledonia, Funafuti, Ellice Island Group, and Christmas Island. Following his duty in American Samoa, Newt headed back to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar CA in Oct 1943. He said when the ship passed under the Golden Gate Bridge he cried - because he had never expected to see it again. He immediately went into a restaurant and ordered a quart of milk and a head of lettuce - he was so tired of having only powdered milk and no lettuce. Newt’s next assignment was El Toro CA Marine Corps Air Station training squadron - but first he was due some leave.

Wedding Bells - Newt went home on leave for the first time since he’d been in American Samoa. He had been home only one day and was going by bus to Philadelphia to visit his mother in the hospital, and Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Bonsack, his wife to be, was on the same bus headed to Fort Dix to go and dance with soldiers. Newt had known Betty since he was 10 but they were just friends. Newt said when Betty saw him in uniform she couldn’t resist and that was it - even though she was engaged to someone else at the time. Newt and Betty were engaged on 3 Dec 1943 and married on 29 Dec 1943 at the Methodist Church in Paulsboro NJ. 

Engine Repair / Instruction - Newt was later assigned to the Naval Advanced Engine School at the Naval Air Tech Training Center on 87th and Anthony Ave in Chicago. The training lasted 3 months; however, Newt stayed on awhile longer because he was on the boxing team and was playing basketball. An engine overhaul mechanic, Newt was assigned to the Naval Aviation Technical Training Detachment - a mobile training group of 9 who traveled via Curtis Commando troop plane to different airfields around the country to provide training - Newt’s specialty was the Pratt & Whitney 2800 engine. He was assigned to El Centro CA when the war ended 2 Sep 1945, and coincidentally, he was playing Hearts when he heard the war was over. By this time Newt was a dad; his namesake, Newton H Zanes III (born 2 Feb 1945) was 7 months old. Both mother and son then joined him at El Centro. A few months later, Newt was discharged the first time on 19 Jul 1946.

Korea / Discharge / Service Awards - Newt subsequently joined the US 4th Marine Corps Reserve District 10 Feb 1949 and was assigned to the 1st 155MM Howitzer Battalion at Marine Barracks Philadelphia Naval Base; as the senior battalion member, he became Fire Direction Control Chief and Battalion Survey Chief. When the Korean War started in Jun 1950, Newt’s unit shipped to Camp Lejeune NC Marine Base. Marine aviators were then assigned to Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station NC. Newt completed J-42 School for Jet Engines. Newt was promoted to Master Sergeant on 8 Sep 1950 and soon after and completed NCO Leadership School. Newt subsequently shipped out to Korea with MAG 33 VMF-212 Fighter Squadron; Newt ran the F4U Corsair maintenance crew in P’ohang-dong South Korea - below the 38th Parallel. Newt served a combination of reserve and active duty time and was honorably discharged on 9 Feb 1952; he was 30. In the 12 years since Newt enlisted, his active and reserve service totaled 8 years, 7 months, and 23 days. Newt said of Marines’ Espirit-de-corps - “there isn’t any other service like it.” Newt was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). 

Newt’s service awards include: Good Conduct Medal and Bar (Second Award Bar) for service 1940-1943 and 1945-1946; American Defense Service Medal with Base clasp; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal; American Campaign Medal; Victory Medal World War II; United Nations Service Medal; and Korean Service Medal with three bronze stars for participation in the First United Nations Counter Offensive Communist China Spring Offensive and United Nation Summer-Fall Offensive. DI Schuman would be proud to this day.

Constructing a career - In deference to his family, Newt chose not to pursue the Marines as a career; it was a dangerous occupation. Newt’s son was 6 when Newt was overseas, and he was just old enough to see news reports of the war in Korea and to know his dad was there. On 2 Jul 1953, Newt would add a daughter to his family - Pamela Grace Zanes - named after his late sister. Newt began his career in industrial construction - much like he did in the military - at the bottom. Taking the leadership qualities and skills he learned in the military, Newt quickly worked his way up in his chosen profession. Newt was construction project director for a number of companies, and he was the Director of Construction for two international companies - Wellman-Lord in Lakeland FL and Allied Chemical Corporation in Morristown NJ. As the construction director, he traveled all over the world. Newt worked on top secret missile systems including the Atlas, Minuteman, and Bomarc; he built missile silos and missile firing platforms. Newt supervised the construction of chemical processing plants and synthetic natural gas plants. Newt could build anything; he stick built a beautiful home on 5 ½ acres with 600 feet of lakefront property on Little Pennesseewassee Pond in Norway Maine. Newt had a knack for solving problems and getting projects completed timely. After retiring from industrial construction, Newt helped the Carolina Conference of SDAs resolve some construction issues with an assisted living facility in Elizabeth City NC and later headed up a similar project in Asheville NC. 

Marine Corps Museum - Newt, Betty, and Pamela attended the opening ceremony of the National Museum of the Marine Corps Museum in Quantico VA in 10 Nov 2006. Newt’s family surprised him with a commemorative brick on the walkway from the museum to the chapel. His name and dates of service from World War II and Korea are inscribed on his brick.

Honor Flight - Newt was gifted an “Honor Flight” from Ashville NC to Washington to honor WW II Veterans. The Honor Flight Network was created to honor our nation’s veterans by bringing them to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials built to commemorate their service and sacrifice. The Honor Flight Network was co-founded by Jeff Miller (small business owner and son of a WW II veteran) and Earl Morse. Jeff Miller knew Newt and arranged an Honor Flight for him. Newt was flown from Asheville NC to Washington DC. When the plane landed, fire engines met the plane and sprayed it with water in recognition. Newt and his co-honorees were ferried around Washington DC to see the WW II and other Memorials. Bob and Elizabeth Dole accompanied them the whole day. On the way back, ladies dressed like the Andrews Sister showered Newt with kisses he was covered in lipstick! The honorees were provided box lunches, and Newt was given an Honor Flight jacket. When they returned to Asheville that day they were greeted by people waiving flags on their arrival. An emotional experience indeed.

Attic Sleigh Bells - Newt had a sense of humor. A rich man named Loudenslager, who lived in Paulsboro NJ - where Newt grew up, owned a sleigh. From time to time, the man would get drunk, hitch up his sleigh and have his servant drive him down the street in the summertime - with sparks-a-flyin’. For a Halloween prank one year, Newt and two friends disassembled Mr. Loudenslager’s sleigh, and reassembled it on the roof of one of his buildings. Oh, to see the look on Mr. Loudenslager’s face when he discovered the whereabouts of old sparky. 

Satchmo says hello - Newt traveled all over the world in his construction career. Once, traveling back from Mexico, Newt saw Louis Armstrong and his band in the airport headed back to the USA. While they were waiting for their flight, the band unpacked their instruments and started jamming. Newt later struck up a conversation with Louis and told him his 11 year old daughter Pamela was a big fan of his. He showed Louis a picture of Pamela - which Louis autographed. Then he told Newt, “You tell Pamela Satchmo says hello!” 

Dancing with Betty Grable - When Newt was stationed on North Island before shipping off to the Pacific, he was in San Diego at Grant Hotel bar and dancefloor. He spotted actors George Raft and Betty Grable (yes - that Betty - the one with the $1 million legs). Newt told his buddies he was going to ask Betty to dance with him, and one of his friends bet him $20 she wouldn’t do it. Newt said “I’ll take the bet.” Newt asked and Betty agreed (seems Newt was irresistible to any woman named Betty). They danced briefly; however, once the troops saw her dancing with him, they started cutting in. Newt collected his $20. 

 Chatting with Bette Davis - After he returned from the Pacific, Newt was in the Hollywood Canteen in Los Angeles, saw Bette Davis (one of the actors who co-founded the club) at a table, and he sat down and talked with her for over 30 minutes. He had his “short snorter” with him; a "short snorter" was a collection of bills taped together, often signed by friends (often when crossing the International Date Line). When buying drinks, an airmen who could not produce his short snorter was expected to buy a round for those who had theirs. In some cases, the person with the shortest snorter or the fewest signatures would buy the drinks. Newt asked Bette Davis for her autograph, and she signed his short snorter with her eyebrow pencil. 

 Training with Gaynor, Lombard, & Raye - Newt and two friends were once at Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood to see a movie. Outside the theater there was an an F4 Grumman Wildcat Fighter Plane on display - up came Mitzi Gaynor, Carole Lombard, and Martha Raye; they wanted to know if Newt and his buddies knew about the airplane. Of course they did, and they visited with them for quite a while. Newt never met a stranger.

 Peeling the Onion - There were so many layers to this man; no matter how long you knew him it seemed you were always learning something new. Trying to tell his story in only a few pages is like trying to cram a watermelon into a thimble. He was a pole vaulter and set and held for some years his high school’s record for hand-over-hand rope climbing. He was a self-taught archer - learning the sport in his back yard in New Haven, he went on to compete and become the Connecticut State Archery Champion circa 1946. Newt loved golf and played well into his 90s. He boxed and played basketball in the military. Though his small size prevented him from playing play football in high school, he grew into the role and played halfback for the Marines. During the war, he played against the likes of Otto Graham (Cleveland Browns QB) and Crazy Legs Elroy Hirsch (wide receiver LA Rams). He was a licensed private pilot. He was an avid fisherman and took annual fishing trips to Martha’s Vineyard with his brother Charlie and Charlie’s three boys - they were known as “the boys from New Jersey” because they caught so many fish. Newt was competitive and enjoyed playing cards and table games - particularly dominoes; he loved Mexican Train. He loved chocolate ice cream and had a bowl most every night; he loved chocolate milkshakes from Walla Walla’s Ice-Burg. In his day, he could cut a rug and was quite a tap dancer; his wife Betty had taken dancing lessons since she was 12 and was a ballet dancer - they were an excellent dancing pair in their day. 

Faith in God - Newt was a Christian man with a strong faith in God. He became a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (SDA) in 1955 following an evangelistic series in Amarallo TX. Newt often said the members in Betty’s Woodbury NJ SDA church, near their residence prior to Amarillo TX, loved him into the church. There was a special place in his heart for Pastor Tom Green and wife Priscilla from the Woodbury church - he was the first pastor of many with whom he would become close friends through the decades. He and Betty attended church regularly from the time he joined, when health circumstances allowed, throughout the remainder of his life. Newt counted many pastors, some of whom went on to become SDA Conference Presidents, among his closest friends. Pastoral couples with whom Newt and Betty had very close and enduring friendships included Kenneth and Sonja Coonley, Charles and Sharon Ferguson, and Mike and Lynn Ortel. Newt said to a long-time family friend 6 days before he passed, “I’ll see you on the other side.” What a grand reunion it will be when Newt and Betty join together in Heaven with their myriad family members and beloved friends.

Newt Enriched Our Lives - Newt had a magnetic personality and was loved by all who knew him. He was a consummate story teller with exceptional recall of the details that comprised his full life. He had an optimistic outlook, and he loved living; when asked about aging, his positivity often resonated with the retort “I’m just gettin’ started!” He was resolute yet easy going and had a great sense of humor - he was fun to be around. Newt was a presence in the room, and he often held court. Those who knew him were drawn in by him, humored by his home grown wit, fortunate to be regaled by his captivating stories, enriched by the wisdom he shared from his experiences, and most of all - blessed to call him a friend. 

 Predecessors - Newt is preceded in death by his wife Mary Elizabeth Bonsack Zanes (Betty) of over 71 years, parents Newton Harrison Thompson Zanes and Marion Fulton Armbruster Zanes Myers, siblings Grace A Zanes and Charles Plum Zanes

 Successors - Newt is survived by children Newton Harrison Zanes III (Joy) and Pamela Grace Zanes; grandchildren Newton Harrison Zanes IV (Vicki) and Jessica Joy Zanes Pardo (Erik); great-grandchildren Audra DeLaine Zanes, Elliott Marie Zanes, Amelia Lyn Zanes, Olivia Renee Pardo, and Vivian Iliana Pardo. Newt leaves behind numerous other loving family members and many dear friends.

Newton Harrison Zanes II - Semper-fi