Pvt. Julie Bernadette Topolosky

In 1943 artist Francis V. Kughler, Hudson River Museum Director H. Armour Smith and Women’s Army Corps recruiter Joanne Coates conceived a plan to encourage women of Yonkers to enlist in the army and honor their contribution. Every Yonkers woman who joined the WACs would have her portrait made in oil or pastel by Kughler.

In 1944, the Herald Statesman ran an article on Julie Topolosky (also called Julia) and two of her brothers: “They’re Serving the Nation on Land, Sea and in the Air.” Her older brother, Michael fought with the Army infantry in the Battle of the Bulge and was reported missing in action. The Nazis had captured him but then released him after several months. Julie’s younger brother Joseph was a Navy seaman, and her WAC station was with the Army Air Forces, at Biggs Field, Texas.

There were eight Topolosky children. The eldest, Mary, had been born in Slovakia before the parents emigrated. She was the mother of Yonkers WAC Marie O’Buck. (The portrait of Julie’s niece is on the opposite wall.)

In 1946, Julie Topolosky married New Jersey Air Force veteran Harry Morere.