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103-year-old talks about World War II service, experiences in courtroom

Avon Free Public Library appearance corresponds with release of From Paratrooper to Public Defender.


By Paul Palmer

Staff Writer

Morton Katz earned the Bronze Star while serving with the U.S. Army in Europe in World War II. This photo is of him in Italy in 1944 (Courtesy Morton Katz)

AVON – The life of Morton Katz is a little bit of Forrest Gump, and a little bit of Walter Mitty. From his years in World War II to meeting Joe Louis and Irving Berlin, to dining next to Babe Ruth, to acting as a public defender in the Hartford area until the age of 100, he has lived a colorful life. The 103-year-old Avon resident has now added the title of author to his resume – as he has co-written the story of his life: From Paratrooper to Public Defender.

Working with oral historian Aaron Elson, Katz – a Bronze Star winner for his actions in World War II – recalls in rich detail the events of his life.

“It is essential to save these stories,” said Elson. “I realized stories like this are being lost for all time.”

Both Katz and Elson were on hand for the recent release of the book at the Avon Free Public Library. Speaking before a full house, Katz stood for over an hour recounting the stories of his life and taking questions about his service. When asked by one woman if he would do it all over again, Katz’s answer was simple - “Yeah, with those guys, you better believe it.’

Born in Hartford in 1919, Katz began his military service while attending what was then called the Connecticut State College (now the University of Connecticut). He took part in ROTC and later the Citizens’ Military Training camps before being commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Reserves. He moved on to Iowa State College for graduate work. It was there, on December 7, 1941 he learned as so many others did of the attack on Pearl Harbor. “I went to my rooming house to pack and within four days I had orders to report to Fort Benning.”

While at Ft. Benning, Katz says he was part of a group that attended a lecture about the Airborne service and decided that was not for him. “At the end of the evening,” he recalled, “we signed an attendance sheet. Of course, all who did had ‘volunteered’ for the jump course.”

Author Morton Katz signs a copy of his book following a presentation at the Avon Free Public Library.

Eventually Katz became part of the 503rd Parachute Infantry and was in the invasion of North Africa. “Operation Torch” as it was called was the first US Army Airborne operation of WWII.

“The Germans put up a hell of a fight,” Katz told listeners at the library, recalling the opposing General was none other that Germany’s Desert Fox, Erwin Rommel. After serving in both Algeria and Morocco, his unit was assigned to the 5th Army and prepared for the invasion of Sicily.

It was in Sicily that Katz had a most unique experience while on a patrol in 1943. “A civilian runs out of a house and yells don’t shoot! I know President Roosevelt. I know lawyer Abe Katz! That was my fathers name.” When Katz wrote home, his father recalled the man was a bootlegger who had been deported to Italy.

After Sicily and continuing in the campaign in Italy, his battalion was relieved to prepare for the Anzio operation. When Katz recalled Anzio, he paused as he remembered the 7,000 American fighting men who died in the operation. He also spoke about what he said was a bad decision that most likely prolonged the war.

“The order came down to dig in and consolidate the beachhead. Gen. Rommel said that the Allies could have been in Rome on the first day if they did not halt.”

Then Katz added an aside that “If Patton had been there we would have been there (Rome) by noon!”

His unit was then sent to a staging area in Italy to practice for the invasion of Southern France. It was there that he met heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis, who was travelling with a USO unit.

“He would box with some of the troops,” Katz recalled in his book. “Knowing none of them were anywhere near professional, he would carry them through a workout and make them look good.”

During the same time Katz met the composer Irving Berlin at a bar in Rome.

There were also darker times in his service that Katz recalled in his presentation. Around the Anzio invasion, part of his work involved helping prepare the dead to be shipped back home. “We had to go through the possessions of the casualties to make sure there was nothing embarrassing to them in there,” he said. “There was one solider, I swear he wasn’t 15 years old. In his bag was a framed photo of a pretty young girl who was about 13. It was a high school romance. I fell apart; it was just awful. There was a lot of that in World War II.”

During this time, Katz’s actions earned him the Bronze Star. According to the citation, from 31 January to 12 March 1944 during combat operations on the Anzio Beachhead “Katz was responsible for the successful removal of fatal casualties of the Battalion near Carano (Italy).” It describes the area as being under artillery and mortar fire and on “29 February 1944, Lt. Katz proceeded, with no cover, to an area that had been under heavy enemy shelling all day and was then lighted by enemy flares. He proceeded over an open field to recover three men in a dugout.”

Like many others, Katz was a witness to the horror of the concentration camps that the Nazis had built. After battling through France and Belgium, Katz was with the American forces as they crossed into Germany. It was in the town of Ludwigslust as part of the 86th Infantry that Katz helped liberate the Wobbelin Camp. “It wasn’t what I saw it was what I didn’t see. In the main warehouse there were mountains of these wooden shoes, clogs, tens of thousands of them that had been worn by inmates and workers who starved to death,” Katz recounted.

Lt. Morton Katz poses during his time in Naples, Italy during World War II (Courtesy Morton Katz)

The Allied General in charge was so outraged that he had the local townspeople carry the bodies of the deceased from the camp and bury them in a grave in the center of town, Katz said.

Following the German surrender on May 3, 1945, Katz spent time in Berlin before returning home. He remained in the Army Reserve and went to UCONN Law School under the GI Bill. Beginning in 1951, he practiced law until age 100 in both private practice and as a Public Defender. Katz also provided free assistance to his fellow veterans and was part of the Statewide Legal Services. He retired from the Reserves as a Colonel in 1972 after 34 years of service.

Putting his life on paper came about after Katz’s nephew David Glass thought that someone should record his “Uncle Buddy’s” stories. Elson, who has long worked to record the history of CT veterans, replied to a Facebook post by Glass looking for a writer.

“I spent three hours with him the first day,” recalled Elson. "He wasn’t finished. I came back and we did two more interviews.”

In fact, Elson said there is so much more material he might publish a second book of life stories from Morton Katz. “I’m just so happy he (Katz) was able to publish a book,” said Glass.

“From Paratrooper to Public Defender” by Morton Katz with Aaron Elson is available for purchase at Amazon.com


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Valley Happenings

UPDATED:

Fighting Cancer Pasta Dinner:

Benefit for Avon Volunteer Fire Department

Deputy Chief Dave Theriault

Sunday, February 23, 2025, 3:00-7:00 p.m. 

Farmington Polo Club, 162 Town Farm Road, Farmington

 

AVFD Deputy Chief of Administration Dave Theriault is facing a tough battle against Stage 4 cancer. The AVFD, along with Tunxis Hose Co. No. 1 and the Farmington Fire Department, is holding a pasta dinner to help raise money for Chief Theriault’s medical expenses. Cheese and crackers from 3:00-4:00 p.m., buffet from 4:00-6:00 p.m., and coffee and dessert from 6:00-7:00 p.m. In addition to delicious food, drinks, and camaraderie, the event will feature dozens of raffle prizes. Event tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for seniors and children under 10 years old. They can be purchased at the door or online at www.HometownFoundation.org Contributions can be made via Venmo @supportDave or by mail to the AVFD at 25 Darling Drive, Avon, CT 06001. 

Canton Community Health Fund Applications

Canton Community Health Fund, Inc. Opens 2025 Application Season, on March 1, 2025, for Canton Community Partner Grants & Canton Scholars Pursuing Careers in Healthcare or Public Safety Canton Community Health Fund, Inc. (CCHF), opens its grant and scholarship application season March 1. CCHF encourages State of CT certified non-profits serving the Canton community to apply for Community Partner grants. In addition, graduating high school seniors seeking higher education in healthcare or public safety are invited to apply for either a Dr. Diters Legacy Scholarship or a Pay It Forward Scholarship. Applications and informative Fact Sheets are available online at www.cantoncommunityhealthfund.org.  Community Partner Grant and Scholarship awards will be announced in June/2025.

 

Avon Library events

AVON –The following events are scheduled at Avon Free Public Library. The library is at Avon Library, 281 Country Club Road, Avon. All programs are in person except where noted. For more information on adult programs, contact Adult Services Reference Desk via avonref@avonctlibrary.info 860-673-9712 x 7203

• Antique Map Collecting 101, Saturday, Feb. 1 at 1 p.m. Registration is required: https://www.avonctlibrary.info/event/antique-map-collecting/

• Morning Book Club. Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 10:30 a.m., The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose, Registration is required: https://www.avonctlibrary.info/events/tag/morning-book-club/

• Meditation for Balance and Inner Contentment. (Virtual Event) Thursday, Feb. 6 at 7 pm.

• Eastern Coyotes in Connecticut (Virtual Event) Thursday, Feb. 13 at 6:30 p.m.

• Fashion and the First Lady (Virtual Event). Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 2 p.m.

• Hoop Skirts to Flappers: Eighty Years of Connecticut Fashion. Monday, Feb. 24 at 2 p.m.

• The Golden Age of Hollywood. (Virtual Event) Tuesday, March 4 at 2 pm.

 

Simsbury Lions Club

The Simsbury Lions Club is looking for people interested in volunteering and contributing to better our town. Our motto is “We serve,” and we do so by volunteering at local events and donating our proceeds to serving interests in our community.

If interested, please feel free to contact Sandy Kremer at Tprkremer@gmail.com or Philip Painchaud at painchaudp@gmail.com.”

 

Winter sowing workshop

The Farmington Land trust is hosting a winter sowing workshop focused on raising native plants. Make your own up-cycled greenhouse from a milk jug and prep some beneficial native plants for the coming growing season. Sunday, Feb 2 from 11a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Farmington Senior Center. RSVP here: https://www.farmingtonlandtrust.org/event-details/winter-sowing-seminar-native-seed-planting

 

Wild Flowers from Spring to Fall

CANTON – The Cherry Brook Garden Club is hosting a lecture on “Following Our Wild Flowers from Spring to Fall” on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 11 a.m. at the Canton Community Center, lower level, 40 Dyer Avenue. Steve Messier, Lichenologist and former Science teacher at Canton High School will discuss the topic. The lecture is open to the public. There is a $5 guest fee for non-members. Email questions to cherrybrookgardenclub@gmail.com.

 

‘Five Wishes’ at McLean

SIMSBURY – Join Kevin Baran, M.D., medical director, and the McLean Hospice Team for a special “McLean & Me Educational Series” presentation to learn how to talk about and record your wishes for care through the end of life, so those wishes can be understood and respected. The presentation will be held at McLean’s Garmany Performing Arts Center, 50 Sarah Lane, Simsbury, on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 6 p.m. The presentation is free but an RSVP by Feb. 4 is required as seating is limited. A light dinner will be provided.

To register, visit McLeanCare.org/Events, email Margaret.Clark@McLeanCare.org, or call 860-658-3718.

 

‘Art Throb!’ Exhibit

Gallery on the Green presents “Art Throb!” Exhibit plus a Solo Exhibit by Kathi Packer Friday, Feb. 14 through Saturday, March 15. An opening reception is on Saturday, Feb. 15 from 6-8 p.m. and will include refreshments. The show and reception are free.

“Art Throb!” is a heartfelt Valentine’s Day celebration presented by the membership of Canton Artists’ Guild. The artists use a wide range of media including painting, prints, drawing, photography, sculpture, ceramics and mixed media to represent the emotional intensity, joy and complexity of love.

In the upstairs Gallery, Kathi Packer has a solo show, “Another Tale.”  Packer notes that a friend’s casual invitation to go on safari in 2008 substantially changed the direction of her artistic journey.The gallery is located near the intersection of Dowd Avenue and Route 44 at 5 Canton Green Road in Canton. Hours are Friday – Sunday, 1-5 pm. The main floor gallery is handicapped accessible.

Website: http://www.galleryonthegreen.org; Phone:  860-693-4102

 

TABLESCAPES fundraiser returns to benefit the new

Avon History Museum

AVON – The Avon Historical Society invites the public to its sixth TABLESCAPES event showcasing up to 30 creative and original table settings on Friday, March 14 and Saturday, March 15 at the historic North House, 1 Nod Road, Avon.

This event will feature themed table settings from local professional designers, florists, businesses, individuals, artists and others featuring fresh floral arrangements, centerpieces and accessories. Proceeds will benefit the installation of professionally curated exhibits in the new Avon History Museum scheduled to open on Friday, July 4, 2025.

Back by popular demand will be a “Table and Barware Tag Sale” on both days. Admission to TABLESCAPES includes the tag sale. Tickets are $20 each pre-sale and at the door. Tickets can be purchased online at www.avonhistoricalsociety.org or by calling Mary Harrop at 860-670-3225 before March 8.

Those interested in sponsorship opportunities can also call Harrop.

 

Alzheimer’s Support Group

FARMINGTON – Hearts, Hugs & Hope: An Alzheimer’s Support Group takes place Feb. 20, 2025, 6 p.m. at Farmington Station Assisted Living and Memory Care Community, 111 Scott Swamp Road, Farmington. Dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia isn’t easy, so it is helpful to share your concerns and personal experiences with others who completely understand what you’re going through. You will also learn about proven strategies to help you better care for your family member. This group is being offered both in person and via Zoom on the third Thursday of each month. If you plan to attend, contact Director of Compass Programming Katherine Jedynasty at kjedynasty@farmingtonslr.com.

 

Used book sale

AVON - A huge book sale will be held Feb. 28 and March 1 in St. Ann’s Church Hall, 289 Arch Road at Route 167.  Hours are Friday, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. ($5 adult admission) and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (no admission fee).

Thousands of books will be organized in separate sections, including Fiction, History, Biography, Politics, Children, Music, Cooking, Sports, Art, Vintage, and more!  A large selection of Children’s books will be available.  Fiction books will be divided by hardcover, paperback, and trade paperback and sorted alphabetically by author.  DVDs, CDs, books on CDs, Vinyl records, and puzzles will be available, also.  Most books will be $3 or less with vintage and specialty books priced higher.

 

Daisy Days: All-Girls Summer Day Camp Experience

FARMINGTON – Miss Porter’s School, a renowned institution with a legacy of empowering young women, is excited to announce the launch of Daisy Days, an all-new day camp for girls entering grades 3-5 this fall. Starting this summer, Daisy Days will offer a unique, joy-filled experience designed to spark creativity, build confidence, and inspire self-discovery in an empowering all-girls environment.

For additional details, visit pcgl.porters.org/daisy-days.

 

Artist demonstration

Avon Arts Association will hold a guest artist demonstration featuring  Granby artist Laura Eden on Tuesday, February 18 at  Avon Town Hall, 60 W. Main St., lower level, at 6:30 p.m. Ms. Eden will demonstrate egg tempera painting.

The demo is free and open to the public ($5 suggested donation). A workshop with Ms. Eden will be held at the same location in the Avon Room on Saturday, Feb. 22, 10-2 with  set up at 9:30. Fee: $45 for members, $55 for nonmembers). www.AvonArts.org

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