Those Who Served: S

  • Sadowsky Irv
    Sadowsky Irv

    Sgt. Irvin Sadowsky
    Serial No. 36818737
    U. S. Army
    April 27, 1943 - January 31, 1946
    European Theater

    A Jewish highlight of my duty was when I helped lead Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services in Paris. I also led Friday night services for the soldiers in the 62nd General Hospital in France.

  • Saffro Yale
    Saffro Yale

    Yale Saffro
    U. S. Army Air Corps
    1940 - 1943
    Pacific Theater

    My husband received many honors and awards, including the Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross. His first Pesach Seder was in the home of a rabbi in Brisbane, Australia. Submitted by Mrs. Yale Saffro

  • Saltzstein James
    Saltzstein James

    Lt. James L. Saltzstein
    U. S. Army
    Pacific Theater

    When the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, Jim was ordered to report to Camp LeJeune for boot camp in the 32nd Red Arrow Infantry Division. He was turned down by OCS because of poor eyesight. From there he made the trip on a stripped-down cruise ship jammed with young men going to the South Pacific. All of these men marched, fought and killed the enemy through some of the worst battles up to that time; Bune, Luzon, Bataan, Manila, Mindanao, Corregidor. Jim's feet were permanently injured, and he had to fight bouts of malaria. Jim rose through the enlisted ranks till he attained his rank of 1st Lt. He was awarded the Legion of Merit-Legionnaire from then Secretary of War, Harry Stimpson. This is seldom awarded. After several more years of combat, Jim went to Australia where he worked in Intelligence directly under Gen. Willoughby, Adjutant Gen. To General MacArthur. Ultimately, he was the third person in the world to see the aerial view of the atomic bomb at the end of the war. Finally, VJ Day arrived and the hideous tour of duty was over after five years of meritorious service in the Army. He returned home to Milwaukee! Submitted by Mrs. James Saltzstein

  • Sampson Harold
    Sampson Harold

    Sgt. Harold Sampson
    Serial No. 36214961
    U. S. Army
    1941 - 1945
    Pacific Theater

    After basic training, he was put on a transport for 21 days to Bora Bora. It was early in the war, and they were issued World War I clothing - leggings, old helmets, wool military jackets for the South Pacific. He served in the Medical Corps, but helped build the airstrip with the Navy forces. Submitted by Rose Wilk

  • Sand Isadore
    Sand Isadore

    Sgt. Isadore Sand
    Serial No. 42092653
    U. S. Army Air Corps
    January 31, 1944 - May 15, 1946
    Stateside

    I was trained to be a radar operator and gunner and became a gunnery instructor. While in transit to Puerto Rico, a novice navigator could not get a fix on direction. They were lost over the gulf, the radio out, but I directed the plane to safety with the engines failing as they hit the runway. While in Forth Worth, Texas, I was befriended by Florence and Milton Simon. Milton would take me out into the oil fields. We have maintained a lifelong friendship.

  • Scheinfeld James
    Scheinfeld James

    SK 1/c James Scheinfeld
    Serial No. 7278627
    U. S. Navy
    November 1944 - July 1946
    Pacific Theater

    I was on the deck of the U.S.S. Missouri in Tokyo harbor, where I witnessed the surrender of Japan to Gen. MacArthur. Right after the war ended, I was stationed at Yokusuma, Japan, naval base. One day a voice announced over the loudspeaker "All men of Jewish religion report to Captain's office, 1600 hours in dress uniform". We did, were loaded in trucks (still without explanation) and driven to Yokohama where we were dropped off at a Japanese-White Russian synagogue for Rosh Hashanah services. We were later invited to members' homes for dinner.

  • Schnoll Nathan
    Schnoll Nathan

    S/Sgt. Nathan K. Schnoll
    Serial No. 36830443
    U. S. Army
    European Theater

  • Schudson Howard
    Schudson Howard

    Maj. Howard M. Schudson
    Serial No. 0564245
    U. S. Army Air Corps
    1942 - 1946
    China-Burma-India Theater

    Before I was assigned to serve in the Far East, I was stationed at Spence Field in Moultrie, Georgia. While there, I conducted Friday and special holiday religious services. The highlight of my duty in the CBI Theater was an opportunity to meet Gen. Joe Stillwell. He commanded all American troops in the CBI area. Another interesting assignment was to deliver an intelligence report to Gen. George Stratemeyer.

  • Schulkin Harold
    Schulkin Harold

    Pvt. Harold Schulkin
    Serial No. 36272482
    U. S. Army
    October 7, 1942 - October 4, 1943
    Stateside

    I was assigned to Drew Field, Florida, where I was with the Signal Corps attached to the Air Corps with the Headquarters 501 Signal Aircraft Warning Regiment. I repaired the big unit field sets and was available as a replacement radioman. A memorable experience for me as a fire department driver for the day who would signal to have the field cleared for B-29 landings, was when a pilot over-extended the landing procedure. My handling of the situation avoided the crash.

  • Schur Leon
    Schur Leon

    Lt. (jg.) Leon M. Schur
    Serial No. 361184
    U. S. Navy
    November 16, 1942 - June 27, 1946
    Pacific theater

    When the US declared war on Japan, I was 20 years old. Within weeks, I enlisted in the Navy V-12 Line Officer Training Program. I wasn't called to active duty until June of 1943, when I became an apprentice seaman. I spent two semesters at Dartmouth, where I met a Bar Mitzvah friend from Beth El in Milwaukee, Marshall Rotter. I established Friday night services for the 15-20 Jewish students in this unit.

    After Dartmouth I was ordered to the OCS at Plattsburgh, NY, after which I was commissioned an ensign in the Navy. I was then assigned as an Amphibious Officer aboard an attack transport and spent the rest of the war shuttling troops from the US to beaches in the south Pacific. I participated in the invasion of Okinawa. I was the only Jewish crew member of almost 600 men.

    Two events stood out in my WWII service. While in Okinawa, our ships were under constant attack from Japanese Kamikaze planes. On one of our cruises, the U.S. Birmingham suffered damage. I was in charge of the crew that took all the bodies of our sailors off the ship. After the Japanese surrendered, my ship landed with the first troops to take over the naval base at Sabeso (about 50 miles from Nagasaki). Some of us were the first Americans to see the black hole that the atom bomb created at Nagasaki. We drove in by jeep to the hills overlooking the city.

  • Schwade Lawrence
    Schwade Lawrence

    T/5 Lawrence S. Schwade
    U. S. Army
    European Theater

    The most memorable experience for me was seeing my older brother, Leonard, after three years, in France. A Jewish experience was attending Rosh Hashanah services in Heidelberg, Germany, in 1946 and for the second time in several years, meeting someone from home - an old boyhood friend, Mort Reuben. My family had a bad experience. I was reported missing in action just three weeks before the war ended. The family did not know my situation until my brother, also in Europe, received a letter from me with my location in a hospital in France.

  • Schwade Leonard
    Schwade Leonard

    Maj. Leonard J. Schwade
    Serial No. 01697653
    U. S. Army Medical Corps
    July 1942 - October 1945
    European Theater

    The invasions of Africa, Sicily, France, Germany and the rest of Europe were all memorable. The most memorable for me was the invasion of France on Omaha Beach on D-Day - casualties galore. I served in every invasion and battle in Europe as a surgeon. I met many Jewish families in Germany who survived because they were hidden by German families throughout the entire war. Being separated from my wife and baby daughter for three years was extremely hard on all of us.

  • Schwartz Joseph
    Schwartz Joseph

    Pfc. Joseph H. Schwartz
    Serial No. 36266708
    U. S. Army
    September 15, 1942 - September 28, 1943

  • Schwartz Sammy
    Schwartz Sammy

    Sammy Schwartz
    U. S. Army
    1942 - 1944
    European Theater
    Killed in Action

    My brother was killed in action in Germany. Submitted by Joseph Schwartz

  • Sernovitz Mort
    Sernovitz Mort

    S/Sgt. Morton A. Sernovitz
    Serial No. 16096210
    U. S. Army
    September 1942 - January 1946
    European Theater

    A memorable experience for me during my tour of duty involved crossing the Rhine River at Remagan over the last remaining bridge, the Ludendorf Bridge. While in the States, I was the Mess Sgt. At Officers' Mess. The Jewish chaplain was concerned about eating pork and other foods that were treif. I worked out a system with him, that if the menu was not ok, I would signal him and I would serve him eggs and toast. Otherwise, he would eat the regular meal.

  • Sernovitz Ted
    Sernovitz Ted

    Capt. Ted Sernovitz
    Serial No. 01645358
    U. S. Army
    October 6, 1942 - July 5, 1946
    Pacific Theater

    In May of 1946, on our return voyage from the Philippines, our ship missed a floating Japanese mine by barely 10 feet. It was a pleasant calm and sunny afternoon and the mine was seen by all on board except the helmsman and the Captain. For the next two days and nights we seldom slept! A uniquely Jewish experience was becoming an honorary member in the Manila Synagogue. My first child, James, was born while I was in the Philippines. He was six months old when we finally met. My wife was truly an Army wife.

  • Shapiro William
    Shapiro William

    1st Sgt. William P. Shapiro
    Serial No. ASN-16006604
    U. S. Army
    September 21, 1940 - December 4, 1946
    Stateside

    After training at Ft. Benning Jump School, my first parachute jump from 2500 feet was truly memorable. That feeling of losing everything in the world in 25 seconds, then both chutes opened and I landed safely. After that, I made 17 more jumps. The first time I asked a top sergeant for a three-day pass during the high holidays, he questioned why. I was the only Jewish man out of 169 men in our company. The pass was authorized after much more discussion.

  • Sharpe Rubin
    Sharpe Rubin

    Lt. (jg) Rubin Sharpe
    U.S. Naval Reserves
    August 1943 - January 1946
    European and Pacific Theaters

    As a communications officer aboard various ships, I made 10 or 12 trips to ports in South America and Europe on tankers, troop ships and supply ships. I delivered fuel, gliders, tanks, airplanes and troops.

    After cessation of the war in Europe, I was transferred to the Pacific Theatre for duty on the USS Delta (AR-9), a repair ship, as a communications officer. We made our way to Eniwetoc Atoll. When word was received of a possible armistice, you could have walked ashore on the caps of sailors, jubilantly thrown overboard, without getting wet. We proceeded to Tokyo Bay, and the highlight of the entire period of service was to be able to keep my binoculars on the USS Missouri, about a half-mile away, and observe the signing of the Armistice.

  • Shavzin Arthur
    Shavzin Arthur

    1st Lt. Arthur R. Shavzin
    Serial No. 0872986
    U. S. Army Air Corps
    February 1944 - October 1946
    Pacific theater

    My whole unit, the 9th Photo Technical Squadron, was shipped overseas to Guam. Our mission was processing aerial photos and photo intelligence. When the first atomic bomb was dropped, my group processed that filmed mission. I attended Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services while in Guam. I was very aware that there were a large number of Jewish servicemen. Also, on Guam, I met two friends in the Navy and Marines from the University of Wisconsin.

  • Sherkow William
    Sherkow William

    Capt. William Sherkow
    Serial No. 0665625
    U. S. Army Air Corps
    January 1942 - October 1945
    Stateside

    Receiving my wings at Victoria Army Airfield in Texas was a feat in itself. While at Randolph Field, we were encouraged to take cross-country flights, so I scheduled mine for Milwaukee. I took off in clear weather, but a storm came up and I looked for a field to land in for refueling. I ended up in a farmer's field, and townsfolk appeared from everywhere to see an Air Force plane in their back yard. I contacted my commanding officer who sent a fuel truck, but it was the farmer and townspeople who made a clearing in the field and literally picked up the plane and carried it downwind in order for me to take off.

  • Sherman Louis
    Sherman Louis

    Cpl. Louis Sherman
    Serial No. 36246388
    U. S. Army Air Corps
    1942 - 1945
    European Theater

    I met my wife in London while I was stationed there. Our meeting was at Covent Gardens - at a dance. We got married at the Jubilee Street shul in London. Later, we stood in the doorway of my wife's home and watched the V-2 bombs landing all over London.

  • Sherman Louis C
    Sherman Louis C

    Cpl. Louis Charles Sherman
    Serial No. 36604121
    U. S. Army
    August 31, 1942 - January 27, 1946
    European Theater

    In Paris I went to a synagogue that was not harmed by the Nazis. The Rheims synagogue was also untouched and had a Yiddish-speaking lady caretaker. In Rheims, I saw Gen. Eisenhower who had just received the surrender of Gen. Jodl. In Weinheim, Germany, there still was a street named "Judenstrasse". A civilian said to me "No more Jews", but showed me where the synagogue had been. It was leveled. It was the same thing in Heidelberg.

  • Sherman Ralph
    Sherman Ralph

    S.C. 1/c Ralph Sherman
    Serial No. 8731406
    U. S. Navy
    August 1943 - March 1946
    Pacific Theater

    Memorable experiences included participating in the invasion of the Philippines with Gen MacArthur's task force - shooting down a Jap plane; seeing a typhoon in Okinawa Harbor was very frightening. VJ-Day was an unreal experience on board our ship in the Pacific. Jewish experiences during my service included attending Rosh Hashanah services in a hut in New Hebrides, South Pacific, and dealing with anti-Semitic crewmembers on a regular basis! The war was very difficult for my widowed mother who had two sons, a son-in-law and a brother overseas at the same time.

  • Shlensky Jerry
    Shlensky Jerry

    Cpl. H. Jerry Shlensky
    Serial No. 36802027
    U. S. Army Air Corps
    February 1943 - February 1946
    Stateside

    While on weekend pass to Los Angeles, I attended a dance at the Hollywood Canteen and met Joyce Skowron Engle, a good friend from home. I also met and went to the home and pool of James Gleason and his wife - delightful people! I attended High Holiday services in Santa Ana and met Frank Eisendrath to whom I became related later, by marriage. Also in Las Vegas, at both Passover and the High Holidays, the Jewish servicemen were welcomed into the homes of the local residents. Both the Kehn and Grossman families were very observant, warm and friendly.

  • Siegel David
    Siegel David

    Pfc. David N. Siegel
    U. S. Army
    1942 - 1944
    Stateside

    David trained at Fort Knox and Fort Leonard Wood. There were many anti-Semitic experiences. Submitted by Bess Siegel

  • Siegel Leonard
    Siegel Leonard

    1st Lt. Leonard H. Siegel
    Serial No. 01945488
    U. S. Army
    April 28, 1943 - April 19, 1946
    Stateside

    I was stationed in Oakland and resided with my wife in San Francisco. Our home was the stop-off before many Milwaukeeans went overseas - Harold Sampson, Mike Karl, Joe Belin, Archie Muchin, Jerome Kahn, Phil Ridberg, Al Lett and many others. My mother led groups of women volunteers in our home making bandages and other useful items for the men and women in service.

  • Siegel Philip
    Siegel Philip

    Sgt. Philip J. Siegel
    Serial No. 36241262
    U. S. Army Air Corps
    May 18, 1942 - September 5, 1945
    African Theater

    I was assigned to the 350th Fighter Squadron in operations, scheduling flights and personnel. I was in Africa on the second day of the November 1942 invasion under Gen. Mack Clark, and in Casablanca when President Roosevelt was there for a historic meeting when the Germans bombed the area. We ran like crazy. In every city that I went, there were welcoming Jewish families- Orleanville, Algiers, Ghissonicia, Corsica (which was so small that it was not on the map) and Rome, Italy. On Friday night, another bomb group was attending the chaplain/rabbis service and Sid Ellis of Milwaukee walked in.

  • Silverstein Adam
    Silverstein Adam

    Lt. Adam Silverstein
    U. S. Army
    1942 - 1946
    Asiatic-Pacific Theater

    Adam Silverstein grew up in Milwaukee. He graduated from Washington High School. Adam was a 1st lieutenant and field artillery unit commander. He served in the Army, beginning active duty from October 1942 to January 1946. Adam served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater including the Northern Solomon's battles and Philippine Islands liberation campaign. Adam's brother, Jack Silverstein, was killed in action in 1944 in the European Theatre.

    Submitted by Bill Appel, nephew

  • Silverstein Edith
    Silverstein Edith

    T4 Edith Gilman Silverstein
    Serial No. A311367
    Women's Army Corps
    October 11, 1943 - February 5, 1946
    Stateside

    A memorable experience for me was receiving a commendation for having accomplished a mission in the 7th War Loan Drive in a superior manner. The commendation was received from Ted R. Gamble, National Director, War Finance Division and endorsed by Col. Chase and Col. Brady. I never had the experience of serving with other Jewish women, so I stood out among the non-Jewish women as someone "special". My parents had two sons and their daughter in the service during WWII. They worried a lot since both sons were in Europe.

  • Silverstein Jack
    Silverstein Jack

    Sgt. Jack Silverstein
    U. S. Army Air Corps
    European Theater
    Killed in Action

    Jack Silverstein was killed in action on September 9, 1944. He is interred in the US Military Cemetery in Nettuno, Italy, 38 miles south of Rome. The Star of David marks his grave.

    Jack was an aerial/photographer gunner on a B-26 plane. He flew 32 missions in the Southern Italy campaign.

    Jack was a fun-loving guy and was willing to die for his friends and for his country. He attended Washington High School. His brother, Adam Silverstein, served on active duty in the Pacific.

    Submitted by Bill Appel, nephew

  • Sires Ely
    Sires Ely

    Lt. Cmdr. Ely Sires
    Serial No. 228863
    U. S. Navy
    Pacific theater

    I was accepted for Naval Officer Training in 1943; commissioned ensign May 1943; assigned to USS Sanfley and reported to her at Guadalcanal in June 1943. We invaded Japanese territory on Bougainvillea and headed to Mariannas. We sank a Japanese submarine on the way. During October 1944, Leyte Gulf, in one week we knocked out three enemy aircraft, blew up a Japanese fuel dump and destroyed another Japanese submarine. Jap suicide planes hit our companion ship and our ship, and we went to Los Negros for repairs. Our next assignment called for a "naked invasion" of the island north of Honshu, an invasion without air cover. Our mission was to be bait and draw off air cover from the main lands on Honshu. We survived. If it were not for the use of the atomic bomb, I would not be alive today; this is my very strong conviction.

  • Sires Melvin
    Sires Melvin

    Sgt. Melvin Sires
    U. S. Army Air Corps
    August 1942 - March 1946
    Pacific Theater

    Melvin was the youngest of the four Sires brothers, all in the service. He was trained to repair radar equipment of the Army Air Corps craft. When his training was over, he arrived in Okinawa just as the war ended. His brother, Ely, who spent six months in China, saw Melvin in Okinawa. While in Okinawa, a big wind hit. Melvin and his companions hid in a burial cave, which saved their lives. Submitted by Ely Sires, brother

  • Sires Morris
    Sires Morris

    CPO Morris Sires
    U. S. Navy
    Pacific Theater

    As a new Naval recruit, Morris trained for a number of months, receiving a commission. He was shipped to the islands for "fleets at war" to a back area. He had been on a ship that had been damaged. The Navy supplied beer for the fleet, but drinking was only allowed on shore. While on an island for "R & R", Morris saw acres of beer cans, possibly 30 feet high. After World War II, and during the Korean War, Morris went back to sea. He retired as a Lt. Commander. Submitted by Ely Sires, brother

  • Sires Nathan
    Sires Nathan

    Lt. Nathan "Nat" Sires
    U. S. Navy
    Pacific Theater

    Nathan was chief of dentistry behind the lines in North Australia. The unit hospital was moved to the Sirgan Straits in the Philippines. I kept in touch with my brother by phone, and while my crippled ship went to a floating dry dock for repairs, I was able to see Nat. He then became seriously ill with jungle rot and had to be flown home for medication. Submitted by Ely Sires, brother

  • Slonim Peter
    Slonim Peter

    Maj. Peter Slonim
    Russian Army
    Ukrainian Front
    1941 - 1945

    Peter Slonim and his wife have lived in Milwaukee for five years. They are from Harkov, Ukraine. He is still active as a producer at age 89 at the Miniature Theatre, which is part of the Russian Club. Mr. Slonim served in the Russian anti-aircraft artillery unit of 82 people. Only nine people survived. He served on the Vorouyers, Kursk, Kiev and Lvov fronts. As the front moved from the area, Mr. Slonim, because of his education and training as a stage producer, was assigned to organize an assembly of songs and music. After the war, he continued to work as a stage manager and producer at a theater in Harkov.

  • Slutsky Harold
    Slutsky Harold

    Tech. Sgt. Harold Slutsky
    Serial No. 36209617
    U. S. Army Air Corps
    1941 - 1944
    Stateside

    After induction, I was stationed at Keesler Field, Biloxi, in Special Services in Administration. I was one of the first of two hundred men at Keesler Field prior to the war in August 1941 when the area was just a golf course and a swamp. It became one of the largest of the Air Force training centers. I remember two Jewish Milwaukeeans, Melvin Peckarsky and Harry Eisen, who came through Keesler Field.

  • Smith Max
    Smith Max

    S/Sgt. Max M. Smith
    Serial No. 36260923
    U. S. Army
    September 1942 - December 1945
    Pacific Theater

    I participated in the invasion of the Aleutian Islands, Lad, and Okinawa. I was fortunate to have attended a Passover Seder at a high school in Honolulu, and a Seder conducted by a Catholic chaplain on a ship going to Okinawa.

  • Solochek Leo
    Solochek Leo

    T.S. Leo M. Solochek
    Serial No. 36822976
    U. S. Army
    April 1943 - January 1946
    European Theater

    My tours of duty were in England, France, Holland and Germany, and I was in the Battle of the Bulge. I was first an infantryman, then with the 84th Division as a medical technician my entire time in Europe. I was there waiting for the crossing of the Rhine and meeting up with the Russians at the Elbe at the end of the war. A unique Jewish experience as an American serviceman was going with my unit into Ahlem concentration camp a few miles west of Hanover.

  • Spivek Solly
    Spivek Solly

    Lt. Col. Solly A. Spivek
    Serial No. 01013838
    U. S. Army
    1942 - 1945
    European Theater

    Solly had to exhume victims of atrocities in a work camp outside of Dachau. He forced the citizens of Muldorf, Germany, to attend a symbolic funeral where Solly said Kaddish.

    As the ranking Jewish officer, Solly received a supply of matzos and a brief Haggadah so a Seder could be held for the few Jewish soldiers in the armored division.

    Submitted by Bernice Spivek, wife

  • Stein Harold
    Stein Harold

    Harold Stein
    U. S. Army
    June 1944 - March 1946
    Stateside

    I was drafted right after I graduated from Washington High School in June of 1944. I was in a Joint Assault Signal Corp Company (JASCO) training for the Japanese invasion, which fortunately never came. I was at Fort Jackson, South Carolina when the war ended.

    The Jewish people in Columbia, South Carolina, were absolutely wonderful. They would invite the Jewish boys to have dinner and spend Shabbat with them. I also recall breaking the Yom Kippur fast at one of their homes.

    I was very fortunate to be part of the military even thought I can't boast of much of a contribution. I spent 21 months and 5 days in the service, and Uncle Sam paid for most of my college through the GI bill.

  • Steren Sam
    Steren Sam

    T/Sgt. Samuel Lee Steren
    Serial No. 36235976
    U. S. Army
    February 25, 1942 - October 2, 1945
    European Theater

    My father and another soldier were in a jeep in France when they came across a couple of hungry French kids. They fed the kids and asked where they could find shelter for the night. The kids told them of a cave they knew of. They all spent the night in the cave and woke up to find a group of Germans coming down the road. They all jumped into the jeep and quickly drove away, firing the jeep-mounted machine gun. Submitted by Joe Steren, son

  • Sussman Martin
    Sussman Martin

    CWO Martin Nathaniel Sussman
    Serial No. 36217374
    U. S. Army
    October 1941 - November 1945
    Stateside

    My father completed writing the "History of the Caribbean Defense Command" which is now classified in the Archives, Washington, DC. He was promoted to Chief Warrant Officer and received the Legion of Merit Award, September 15, 1945, from Maj. Gen. John L. Homer, Deputy Department Commander. His marriage ceremony to my mother at the Jewish USO was arranged by the director, Harry Norr. With only three days to plan (before being sent overseas), Mr. Norr was able to enlist the service of Rabbi Nathaniel Share. There was no time for flowers, music or wedding attire, but wonderful Jewish witnesses and a meaningful Jewish service! Submitted by Jody Sussman Steren, daughter

  • Sweed Aaron
    Sweed Aaron

    Capt. Aaron Sweed
    Serial No. 0473267
    U. S. Army
    1944 - 1947
    Pacific Theater

    My field hospital was stationed in Manila. In the six months prior to the end of the war, we built up a 10,000 bed hospital complex on a golf course, just outside of Manila, in preparation for the invasion of Japan. Dropping of the bomb led to wild celebrations. While on a ship going to the Philippines, we had a beautiful Rosh Hashanah service led by the ship's chaplain, a Catholic priest. His Hebrew was very good. My brother and I were both in service, a worrisome situation for my parents. However, their letters were always happy and reassuring. My father worked in a factory making war supplies.