Kearny

Kearny , town (1990 pop. 34,874), Hudson co., NE N.J.; inc. 1899. The town is the site of shipyards (greatly enlarged in 1941) and dry docks. Manufactures include chemicals, textiles, plastics, processed foods, and electronic equipment. Kearny contains many tidal wetlands between the Passaic and the Hackensack rivers that were developed for industrial and recreational purposes. One well-known project is the Meadowlands, a nearby complex containing a racetrack and sports stadiums.

Kearny, US destroyer attacked and torpedoed by U-boats in October 1941 while escorting North Atlantic convoys. She became the first American warship to be damaged in the undeclared war between Germany and the USA which was part of the battle of the Atlantic. Several seamen lost their lives, which resulted in key sections of the Neutrality Acts being repealed.

Kearny, Philip (1814–62) Union army officer, born in New York City. His division first saw combat during the 1862 Peninsular campaign, helping to prevent disaster at the battle of Williamsburg. At Second Bull Run (1862) he led the most successful Union attack of the battle but was killed during a subsequent encounter while retreating. He was considered one of the best division commanders in the Union army. Kearny had previously served on the staff of Gen. Winfield Scott, and during the Mexican War (1846–48) he lost an arm in the unsuccessful attack on Mexico City (1847).