Skip to main content

Sheldon Donald Basch

SGT in 603rd Engineer Camouflage Bn : Co C

ASN#32705465

Born 1923 in NY, Died 2009

Artist

Other residence(s): East Meadow, NY; Palm Beach, FL; Boca Raton, FL in 2002
United States Army, did not accompany the unit to Europe
College education before the war: Pratt
Source: Travel Orders, 23d HQ, 29 August 1945; Ghost Army roster by state; 603rd reunion mailing list; Company D With Addresses Roster

He was born on February 4, 1923 in Brooklyn. When he filled out his draft card in June, 1942, he was attending Pratt Institute and had a summer job at Macy's, which is where he met his future wife. He enlisted on January 11, 1943, and married Shirley (aka Sarah?) Golderman on December 6, 1943.

He was released from the army on October 22, 1945.

The family moved from NYC to East Meadow around 1950 when their son Richard was born.

Sheldon was in advertising, and his role was on the creative side. In 1961, he incorporated Basch Advertising, a commercial advertising firm.

He took on a partner in 1964, but their relationship had eroded by the late 1970s, and the business closed in mid-1979. Sheldon's son was also in advertising--in 1982 he was working in advertising at Saks.

Records also show that Sheldon owned a plane.

Sheldon and Shirley retired to Boca Raton, Florida around 1993. He died on December 26, 2009, their son died in 2011, and she died in 2013.

Sources:

Draft Registration Card, June 30, 1942 (shows his enrollment at Pratt and summer job at Macy's)

https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/20153613?h=e451e0&utm_campaign=bandido-webparts&utm_source=post-share-modal&utm_medium=copy-url

U.S. Civil Aircraft Register, 1978 (shows him owning a plane and confirming residence in East Meadow)

https://www.google.com/books/edition/United_States_Civil_Aircraft_Register/aLRuxsAVwWAC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=sheldon%20basch&pg=PA1451&printsec=frontcover

Documents from 1987 case, Sheldon Basch vs. NY State Tax Commission (provides information about his business)

https://www.leagle.com/decision/1987920134ad2d7861303

Find a Grave death record (confirms he was a US Army SGT in WW2)

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/51177116/sheldon-d-basch

Wife (Shirley) Obituary (she met him at Macy's; also matches East Meadow and Boca Raton residences)

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/timesunion-albany/obituary.aspx?n=shirley-basch&pid=168148272&fhid=27355

Please Support Our Ongoing Efforts

The soldiers of The Ghost Army used inflatable tanks, sound effects, and imagination to fool the Germans on the battlefields of Europe. The Ghost Army Legacy Project is ensuring that these men and their accomplishments are never forgotten.

Give via credit card by clicking the yellow “Donate” button.

Or, send a check to:

Ghost Army Legacy Project
1305 S. Michigan Ave. #1104
Chicago, IL 60605

All donations are tax-deductible!