When rummaging in the basement for youthful photographs for my brother-in-law's 90th birthday bash, I rediscovered cardboard boxes of old black and white photographs that I had taken 60 years ago in World War II.

Reviewing them brought back memories of my experiences in Northern Ireland, North Africa and Italy. Some humorous incidents reawakened by these images are worthy of "show and tell." Some photos are only of historical interest, and others tell about the trials and tribulations of a young civilian physician trying so hard to learn how to become a soldier and an officer, overseas, in wartime from his National Guard sergeant named Angelo Pezzula. Hopefully, none of these stories will make you change your impression of the "The Greatest Generation."

At my current age (late-eighties), I realize that depending on my memory alone to narrate these chronicles would be a bit "iffy," but having these photographs to bolster my memory was very comforting. For accuracy of statistics and military data I quoted from an encyclopedia of W. W. II.

On completion of my medical internship in June 1941, I married a very pretty nurse and enjoyed a two-month honeymoon at a picturesque boy's camp in Canada. We were employed as camp nurse and physician, and together earned $300. I volunteered and received my commission as first lieutenant in the Medical Corps after returning to the States in September 1941 (before Pearl Harbor).

Since officers had to purchase their own formal uniforms, my bride and I proceeded to Marshall Fields department store in Chicago to do just that. In the men's fitting room I was bedecked with a complete formal brown blouse and sharp gray trousers. The salesman helped me properly attach the Sam Brown belt and the chain sword guard. We bickered about my need for a sword but the salesman convinced me that it would be required for formal parades. So with my American Eagle cap at a jaunty angle, my abdomen sucked in, my sword at my side, I paraded out in front of my bride.

At first she had an expression of awe, with her eyes and mouth wide open. Then she was overcome with uncontrolled giggling, and finally told me, as she pointed, "Your fly is open!"

And so began my career as an officer in the American Army in W.W. II.