Fien, Jerry

by admin · March 3, 2019

LTJG JEROME MORRIS FIEN 3 February 1945

Jerome Morris Fien was born 26 December 1921, at Hartford, Connecticut. After only two years, he graduated from Weaver High School, Hartford, and then Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland in February 1943. He entered Navy service as an Ensign aboard USS FRANK E EVANS DD 754. He was the Communications Officer. He was there 3 February 1945 when EVANS was commissioned and is known as a Plank Owner because he was there when EVANS first went to sea. He was there too for EVANS’ first Christmas and anniversary.

Where have the 52 years (1997) gone? Seems like yesterday that USS FRANK E EVANS DD 754 slid into the water at Staten Island and our adventure began. Reminiscing today brings to mind what a super bunch we were with Harry Smith in command. We even managed to stay that way despite Frank Schwartz, an early version of Captain Queeg.

For those who remember, I really was not the most seasick member on the bridge at General Quarters, I was just “sick”. In June of 1946, the doctors discovered that I was a victim of Gaucher’s Disease, a Jewish genetic disease manifested by an enzyme deficiency in the bloodstream and a very enlarged spleen and liver. The theory was that my large spleen hitting organs in the abdominal area could have been the cause of the discomfort that appeared to be seasickness. John Annegers could really not have diagnosed it at that time.

ENS Abram Peter Alyea, ENS Donald L. Merriman ENS Milton Frederick Eisenberg ENS Jerome Morris Fien

I decided to take EVANS back to California instead of waiting for the troop ships to leave their moorings in the Whang Po. I got back to New Jersey in June 1946, and then had a second honeymoon in Canada, enrolled at New York University Graduate School of Business (at night), and went to work (days) at a small accounting firm, which eventually became a 95 person firm with me as Managing Partner, eventually retiring in 1986.

Rear – LTJG Jack Arnold Druckemiller & ENS Jerome Morris Fien Front – Quartermasters

EN S Abram Peter Alyea EN S Lex M orton Taylor EN S M ilton Frederick Eisenberg EN S Carl R. Annexstad

In April (1997) my wife Ruth and I will celebrate 52 years of marriage. We created a Jewish Historical Society for our community which is a model for most of the country. We have two children Mark and Judie, and between the two, have five grandchildren.”