Denniston Averill

Averill's family came from DeWitt County Texas before they moved to Teaneck.  His first name is from his mother's maiden name.

Denniston was a popular member of the class of 1934 of Teaneck High School. He was class president in his sophomore, junior and senior years. A member of the National Honor Society, he also was a member of the football and baseball teams.

Averill enlisted before the U.S. entered the war and graduated from the Army's armored school. He became a 1st Lieutenant in the 7th Armored Division.  He saw extensive action in several major battles in Europe. He was killed in December 1944 at the village of Samree, Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge. For his heroic actions he was awarded the Silver Star and had earlier won the Bronze Star and other commendations.

He left a widow and a 7 month old son whom he never met at the family home at 490 Churchill Road, Teaneck.  Averill is buried at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus.

WWII Scrapbook

  1. June 17, 1942
  2. February 15, 1945
  3. March 1, 1945
  4. August 16, 1945

High School Yearbook

  1. 1931 Yearbook : Page 72
  2. 1932 Yearbook: Page 66 , Page 93
  3. 1934 Yearbook: Page 22, Page 50, Page 68

Te-Hi News (Teaneck High School Newspaper)

  1. February 11, 1931
  2. November 23, 1932
  3. October 1, 1935

Ancestry.com

  1. U. S. World War II Army Enlistment Records 1938-1946
  2. Information on Denniston Averill KIA 20 Dec 1944
  3. U.S. Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1925-1963 for Denniston Averill

7th Armored Division

  1. Link to 7th Armored Division Trains deaths

Find A Grave Website

  1. Denniston Averill