F2 CLAUDE L. BRONNES, WWII: Went down with the Atlanta
Claude Lindley (Buddy) Bronnes is pictured in Navy uniform c. 1942 on the north side of Main Steet in Irvington between Dutcher and Eckar streets. He is standing in front of a United Cigar store that would later become Becker's Stationery and is now the site of Geordanes Neighborhood Market at 57 Main Street. The longtime Grand Union grocery store at 61 Main Street is largely obscured two doors east from the cigar store. That is now the site of La Chinita Poblana restaurant. (Photo courtesy Bronnes family via Ancestry.com) Navy Fireman 2nd Class Claude Lindley Bronnes — Buddy as he was known — was killed in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal on Nov. 13, 1942 while serving aboard the light cruiser USS Atlanta. The Atlanta was damaged by a torpedo, likely from a Japanese destroyer, and suffered further damage from enemy fire and, tragically, friendly fire from the USS San Francisco which mistook the Atlanta for an enemy warship. The damage to the Atlanta was stark, forcing her ca
