As the baby of the
family, it is fitting that I be the last to create a blog page. Both of
my brothers have been doing blogs for a while now, so I guess it is my turn.
I'm not a "writer" by any means. My education and degree
is in science, not the arts. I am not a journalist or diarist. I
seldom write my thoughts or my experiences, but with Memorial Day just around
the corner, I thought that I would pay tribute to a man I have only gotten to
know recently, posthumously.
Typically, over the Memorial Day
holiday, I change my profile picture to honor my Uncle Eugene. My middle
name is Eugene in honor of him and while growing up, I frequently hid the fact
that this was my middle name (kids being kids, would tease me about my middle
name), as I matured and learn about the man that I share a name with, I find
myself proud of the moniker.
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| Senior Picture |
Eugene was the older brother of my mother Carol, and the
fourth child of six. Born August 9th 1920 to Harry and Grace Kessler in
Bethlehem PA. By virtue of this birth, he was destined to work for the
one time great Bethlehem Steel. Both his father and older brother Don
worked at Bethlehem Steel.
With the entrance of the U.S. in to
World War 2 in 1940, Eugene, age 20, would be eligible for a deferment. Working
for a major military supplier would guarantee that. But Eugene, like many men
of the time, felt that it was he's patriotic duty to enter the military, and on
March 25, 1944, at the age of 23, he enlisted in the US Army and despite being
deaf in one ear, was inducted and would be assigned to the 95th
"Victory" Infantry Division, 377th Infantry Regiment, Co. C.
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| Induction- March 25, 1944 |
His induction and basic training
would take place in New Cumberland, PA at the Indiantown Gap military
reservation. There he would receive training as a rifleman. He
would also train in the mountains of West Virginia, where Combat Team Seven
(the 377th) would learn to climb mountains and rappel. No doubt in full
gear and battle ready.
On
June 21st, training abruptly halted. The men were transported back to
Indiantown Gap to await further orders and rumors flourished about overseas
deployment. The next day, the commander of the 377th, Col. Fred Gaillard,
gave the word, the 377th was restricted in their movements, mail censored and
Article of War 28 (concerning desertion in time of war) was read to the men and
certified by all officers and men. One month later, the men were saying
their good byes and getting what could be their last kisses from their wives
and sweethearts. They were going overseas. (Next, Shipping Out)
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| 377th march in review |
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