From the Attic to Military Museums
How to Honor Your Family by Donating and Preserving Military History
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Chapter 5 A Man of Distinction My brother Alex Fondes, born on February 14, 1926, served in the United States Army during World War II, although he was never sent overseas (Figure 5.1). He was drafted in 1944 at the age of 18. His creative talents came through, even with the restrictions of army life. Letters and Sketches I have reproduced two of his letters addressed to our Aunt Maude and Uncle Clifford. The letters were signed Jimmy since this was his family nickname. They reveal the routine of army life, as well as my brother’s determination to achieve. The first one, dated March 27, 1944 was from Fort Bragg, North Carolina where he was training in field artillery (Figure 5.2). He states that "I take anything Uncle Sam has for me with a smile," but then goes on to ponder that the "army doesn’t hold much for a young fella now. . . . they are just interested in getting the ‘big job’ over." Alex’s second letter, dated September 25, 1944 announces that he is going to Fort Benning, Georgia to get his paratrooper training (Figure 5.3). He shares that, "I wouldn’t mind a little action...all these months have been preparation and it gets a G.I. down to be training continuously." Then he mentions hearing from our father who had been at a reunion of the 314th Infantry Regiment, from WWI fame. In addition to his chatty letters, Alex created several sketches that give insight into the daily life of a GI in training camp. Such activities as cleaning a carbine (Figure 5.4), running an obstacle course (Figure 5.5), taking10-minute breaks (Figures 5.6, 5.7), relaxing on a train taking him to Fort Bragg (Figure 5.8), and working with instrumentation (Figure 5.9) were revealed. While in the army, Alex contracted spinal meningitis and was quarantined to the barracks. He was near death, and the doctors used an experimental drug called penicillin that saved his life. The Huge Director’s Chair After the war, Alex became involved in show business as a researcher for playwrights. William Merchant’s play Desk Set, which premiered on Broadway in 1955, was based on an idea from Alex. In 1957 it was made into a successful movie starring Spencer Tracey and Katherine Hepburn. My brother died on September 2, 1991. It was left to me to deal with his belongings. Time was of the essence for me in mid-town Manhattan in late September of 1991. I had a two-week window to dispose of the contents of my late brother’s one-bedroom apartment to avoid another lease and rental period. The contents of the apartment were primarily used items since my brother had moved most of his personal effects to Stanton, New Jersey where he was living at the time of his death. I found a few items from some of his successes in the theater and donated them to the Research Libraries of the New York Public Library. A thank you card dated November 13, 1991 acknowledged: "Programs, portfolio of clippings about Desk Set, and 13 mounted photographs of Noel Coward."
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About the Book
The book details how and when I donated my family military memorabilia from World War I and World War II to museums in the United States. Personal anecdotes are included. The intent of the book is to challenge readers to realize that they, too, can contribute to military history before items are lost forever. I have included a chapter on how to go about donating family heirlooms to various museums and organizations, including some guidelines on charitable contributions and U.S. tax laws. An appendix contains addresses and phone numbers of the major Armed Forces Museums and other relevant museums. There is also a suggested reading list. An important feature of the book is the many illustrations that include letters, photos, discharge papers, deed of gift forms, and other military data. I am especially proud of the letter I received from General Colin L. Powell that is included in the book with his permission. Of particular interest to anyone who has served in the armed forces will be my brother’s sketches of the daily life of a GI in training camp.
About the Author
Robert P. Fondes (Bob), currently a resident of Bradenton, Florida, was born on a farm in Parsonsburg, Maryland in 1927, but grew up in West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during the Great Depression and war years. Pfc. Fondes served 18 months (1945-1947) in the United States Army Air Corps, including six months as a control tower operator in Puerto Rico. Special assignments took him to Brazil and the Canal Zone. He was recommended for further military service, but went to college instead. Bob majored in accounting at Rider College in Trenton, New Jersey (1947-1951). He joined Mobil Oil in 1951 and spent nine years in Venezuela with diversified accounting, auditing, and supervisory assignments. He transferred to the New York office of the general auditor of Mobil in 1960 and was off to Paris for a two-year stint. Bob took many solo trips to audit several of Mobil’s operations in Europe and Africa. A few of the exciting places he worked included West Africa, Portugal, Spain, Greece, Cyprus, London, Canary Islands, Egypt, and the Sudan. Another two years were spent auditing Mobil’s operations in the United States and Canada. Then came a two-year assignment as the administrative manager of Mobil’s marketing operations in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (1964-1966). Tired of accounting and auditing, Bob formed his own search firm in New York City and ran it from 1968 to 1971. He moved to Pompano Beach, Florida in 1971 and gave up the recruiting business. He took some courses in sales to change from an introverted accountant to an extroverted sales person. Opportunity came in 1972 when Bob became an outside sales representative in South Florida for a major tax and law book publisher. In 1977, he was the number two salesman in the company! In 1982, a serious car accident put him out of this line of work due to neck and back injuries that still plague him today. From 1984 to 1988 he tried the investment field, but found it too demanding and stressful. Since 1989 bob has been a Florida snowbird, spending winters in Florida and summers in Parsonsburg, Maryland. He has become an avid historian and preservationist, and has donated inherited family heirlooms to over 35 museums. His first book is called From the Attic to Military Museums: How to Honor Your Family By Donating and Preserving Military History. His second book will be From the Attic to the Smithsonian.