Description:
Mr. Philip Zipser of Monroe Township, New Jersey, was born to Jewish immigrants from the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1921. The Zipser Family lived in Sea Gate, Brooklyn, and later Parkchester in the Bronx. Phil discusses his early years in the New York Metro Area, particularly the role the family grocery store played in his life.
Phil graduated from New Utrecht High School and attended Brooklyn College before switching to City College of New York (CCNY) where he studied to become an accountant. He worked in accountancy until 1942 when he enlisted in the US Army. He quickly volunteered for Officer Candidate School and received training as a Quartermaster Corps officer in Fort Lee, Virginia, and Columbus, Ohio.
During World War II, he served in Brackettville, Texas, before being sent to Ahwaz, Iran, in the Persian Gulf Command. Initially in charge of an outfit that trained local truck drivers (as part of the logistical chain that brought lend-lease material to the Soviet Union), he was later assigned to PX management duties. At the close of the war, Zipser helped close down the Persian Gulf Command's operations, then went to Egypt to wind down operations there. He includes stories about meeting King Farouk I (1920-1965), ruler of Egypt and the Sudan, while serving there.
Phil returned to CCNY after the war and quickly completed his studies to become a CPA. He spent his career in that field, working for numerous corporations as well as using his professional skills to aid a variety of New York and New Jersey non-profits as a volunteer. With his late wife Adele, he raised his family on Long Island and moved to Central New Jersey in retirement.
The Rutgers Oral History Archives received an operating support grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State. In the 2023-2024 cycle, this grant assisted the ROHA staff in making this oral history available to you for your use.