East Side, bounded by Henry and Rutgers Streets, is named in memory of Captain Jacob Joseph (1920–1942), great-grandson of Rabbi Jacob Joseph and son of Lazarus Joseph, who was a member of the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. Born and raised in New York, Joseph left Columbia University as a junior in 1938 to enlist in the Marines. He died in action at Guadalcanal on October 22, 1942. Joseph was at the time the youngest captain in the USMC. Five years later, a local law named this playground in his honor. The dedication ceremony was attended by Mayor William O'Dwyer, Parks Commissioner Robert Moses, Councilman Stanley Isaacs, and Captain Joseph’s father Lazarus Joseph – a Democratic Party leader who was a six time State Senator and New York City's Comptroller at the time. The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation also unveiled a bronze commemorative plaque on the flagstaff. This playground was built in part to meet the needs of the Rabbi Jacob Joseph School, located at the time on Henry Street. The playground also serves as a memorial to other notable members of the Joseph family.. There is a Captain Jacob Joseph Memorial Chapel at Camp Keowa, which is part of the Ten Mile River Boy Scout Camp in Sullivan County. The Chapel was restored by a group of veterans led by Scoutmaster Tom Maher. Each August a memorial service is held for Captain Joseph at the camp. The memorial includes an interfaith service during which a Kaddish is said for Captain Joseph, who is believed to have no descendants. See also Lazarus Joseph (1891–1966), NY State Senator and New York City Comptroller References External links Otzar Zikhronotai blog Jewish Observer article discussing Rabbi Jacob Joseph Rabbi Jacob Joseph School (Yeshiva Merkaz Hatorah) website Journal of Halacha and Contemporary Society NYC Department of Parks & Recreation data on Jacob Joseph playground "The Yeshiva on Henry Street" by Dr. Marvin Schick, President of RJJ School 1840 births 1902 deaths People from Kelmė District Municipality People from Rossiyensky Uyezd Lithuanian Orthodox rabbis Emigrants from the Russian Empire to the United States American people of Lithuanian-Jewish descent Chief rabbis of cities Orthodox rabbis from New York City 19th-century American rabbis 19th-century Lithuanian rabbis