Basic Training, Fort Benning, Georgia, August -November 1943

The folder contained the orders and records shown in the previous post.

The folder also contained the memorial book
of the Basic Training at Fort Benning
of the Second Company,
Fifth Training Regiment,
Army Specialized Training Program.

Not in the folder but rolled up next to it
were the two torn parts of this photo print,
19 1/2 inches by 8 inches.

Georgia Pine trees in the background
remind me of Scarlett O'Hara
simpering to Frank about "all that good Georgia pine"
as she takes over his lumber mill.
That movie had just come out four years
previous to the snapping of this photo -
everyone knew it.

Did Gene make this print himself?
He was the sort who would get himself into
a darkroom if there was one.
See the tailgate of a car, off to the right?
Officers' transportation?

I count 62 Privates in this group, and I diagnose them by the facts
that they are standing up, have no insignia, and wear no pins on their
field caps.  Many look young enough to have sat that national test
as high-school students, and may be just 18 years old.

I diagnose 5 officers by the fact that they are seated in chairs.
Four of them have two-chevron insignia of Corporals.
The fifth, seated second from left, wears 3 chevrons.
(See photo above this one.)
He is a very nice-looking Sergeant
and his post-1942 monthly base pay is $78.
Corporal Slouch, seated at end right,
is the only officer with no hat jewelry.
I wouldn't give him any either
until he started sitting up straight.

EJZ is back row, ninth from the left end.

This was carefully preserved in that brown folder,
in pristine condition.

A note from his Dad, our JPZ, is at left.
A note from his mother,
Julia Mostkowska Zdrojewska,
is at right.

"I Wish I had a wishing rod

a rod that would make every

Wish come true. You know what

I would wish you? - Health & Happiness

                                               Dad"

"Did I tell you how much Mom

is proud of you wishing

you the best of luck in

many year to come

    . . . from your Mom."

While Gene was at Fort Benning, Julia died of heart failure in Buffalo.