The Keesler Field News

Majoring in Sergeant Majors

S. SGT. NICHOLAS MAZZEI (Photo by Army Air Forces Technical Training Command)

As Sergeant-Major of the Post Chapel, S. Sgt. Nicholas Mazzei plays the dual role of Assistant to the Post Chaplain and information clerk. Not only does he assist those with problems but he is often called up to answer the questions regarding the field of the men who took the old Army reply, "See the chaplain," seriously.

Dark-haired, husky, and owner of a ready sense of humor, Sergeant Mazzei gives lie to the belief that a chaplain's assistant is a "goody". He was a football and baseball star at high school in Brooklyn, N. Y., and a basketball star at St. John's University, Brooklyn. He helped organize the chapel softball team which plays every week.

Every man who comes to the Chapel gets individual attention. Sergeant Mazzei determines what chaplain he is to see or, if possible, tries to solve the man's problem himself. In no case, however, has any man gone to the Chapel and returned without the advice and help he sought.

Assisted by 20 men, Sergeant Mazzei arranges for the services. This means selecting the Recreation Hall, placing the altar and arranging for seats. He directs the activities of the chaplain's assistants, subject to the approval of the Post Chaplain, Maj. Patrick E. Nolan. He has charge of all correspondence.

Before entering the Army in October, 1941, Sergeant Mazzei was buyer for Superior Table Novelties, New York City.