FIRST LIEUTENANT ALFRED NORTHRUP “JIMMY” COMSTOCK; U.S. ARMY

September 7, 1916 (Norwalk, CT) – April 13, 1945; 28 years old
Engaged to Regina Cheress (1919-2014)
Last local address: 8 Warren Street, Norwalk
Enlisted on March 31, 1941
Service number: O-1641182
Unit: 7th Army, 4th Infantry Division, 41st Signal Unit

Born to William I. (1871-1958) and Bertha Amelia Godfrey Comstock (1873-1949). One sister Elsie (1912-2011). Four brothers, Howard I. (1900-1970), Clifford W. (1902-1976), Chester A. (1904-1990), and Earl H. (1910-1990).  

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Lt Comstock is the nephew of Lt Frank C. Godfrey, who was killed in action during World War I. Alfred’s mother was Frank Godfrey’s sister.

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                                                             Norwalk High School Class of ‘34

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From The Norwalk Hour May 31, 1945

LIEUTENANT COMSTOCK
Details Of Death Learned By Parents; Plan Memorial Service Sunday at 4

First Lieutenant Alfred N. Comstock, son of Mr. and Mrs. William I. Comstock of 8 Warren Street, Norwalk, and brother of Howard I. Comstock of Bridgeport, who was killed in action in Germany on April 13, was a victim, with two men under his command, of the explosion of a land mine, according to an official report received by his parents today. A memorial service for Lieutenant Comstock to which friends are invited will be held in the Norwalk Methodist Church, West Avenue, Norwalk, Sunday afternoon at 4 o’clock. The service will be of charge of the Reverend Floyd George pastor of the church, and former comrades of Lieutenant Comstock will be among those present. A letter to Lieutenant Comstock’s mother from the commanding officer of the Fourth Signal Company attached to the Fourth Infantry Division, Seventh Army of which the Norwalk man was an officer, said that the incident which resulted in Lieutenant Comstock’s death occurred about 4 in the afternoon near Aub, Germany, which is 25 miles south of Wurzburg. He was in command of a part reconnoitering after the capture of the village, and the jeep in which he and the men under his command were riding struck a mine and was blown up, killing Lieutenant Comstock instantly and causing fatal wounds to two of the men. Several others were wounded.

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From The Norwalk Hour August 21, 1945

Mrs. William I. Comstock of 8 Warren Street will receive the posthumous award of the Bronze Star Medal to her youngest son, the late First Lieutenant Alfred N Comstock, as part of the military ceremony planned for Sunday afternoon, September 16, at Seaside Park, Bridgeport, by the Seventh Battalion of the Connecticut National Guard. Lieutenant Comstock was mortally wounded on April 13 in Germany while with the Signal Corps of the U.S. Army. The citation issued by the War Department in connection with the award of the Bronze Star Medal reads:

For meritorious service in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States in France, Belgium, Germany, and Luxembourg, 11 June 1944 to 13 April 1945, Lieutenant Comstock who landed in Normandy, France 11 June 1944, distinguished himself by his competent performance under adversity and trying conditions. His assignment as wire officer required technical skill, patience, and in many instances, physical courage and daring. Comstock possessed these attributes in abundant measure. In addition, his radiant disposition and steadfast devotion to duty were a source of animation to his men and his fellow officers. He was mortally wounded in the performance of his duties on 13 April 1945. Lieutenant Comstock’s fine record will serve as an example and inspiration to those who carry on in his stead and was in accord with the highest traditions of military service.

An impressive memorial service was held in May in honor of Lieutenant Comstock at the Norwalk Methodist Church of which he was a member. A Gold Star for him has been added to the large service flag at the back of the altar of the church. He was known as “Jimmy” to members of his family and called “Al” by his fellow servicemen. Before he went to the European Theater of Operations, he had been in the Pacific area and then sent to Fort Monmouth where he received his commission. Following the War Department’s telegram that he had died of wounds, a letter from his commanding officer was received by his parents. It was as follows:

Germany
May 9, 1945

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Comstock: May I, in this small way, extend unto you the deepest sympathy of every member of this company and others in the division who knew him, upon the death of your son, Lieutenant Alfred N. Comstock, O-1641182. Al went forward after luncheon on the 13th of April to reconnoiter in areas that had recently been housecleaned of the enemy, for possible existing telephone lines that he could make use of. He was killed approximately 25 miles south of Warsburg. Two men, riding with Al, died later of wounds they received. Prompt medical aid was given by a passing ambulance attendant, but Al was dead upon arrival at a field hospital of multiple abrasions of the back and severe internal injuries. I have delayed writing to you in order to ascertain that Al was buried in a military ceremony at Bensheim, Germany. A Protestant chaplain officiated.

Sincerely yours,
THEODORE M. ZURHORST
Captain, Signal Corps, Commanding

Lieutenant Comstock’s mother (the former Miss Bertha Godfrey) had been secretary for several years of the Auxiliary of Mulvoy-Tarlov Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars and an officer and member of the Auxiliary of William McKinley Camp, United Spanish War Veterans. The Frank C. Godfrey Post, American Legion, was named in honor of her brother, Lieutenant Godfrey who was the first Norwalk solider to be killed in France in World War I.

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WEBMASTER NOTE: Captain Zurhorst survived the war and lived until 1995. Born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee.

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Lt Comstock was reinterred to Riverside Cemetery, 223 Riverside Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut; Section 19, Plot 16. Photo by webmaster.

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