In 1942, Zigmund was a 15 year old Russian Jew living in Rostov, USSR. The Germans were marching toward Rostov which did not bode well for Zigmund and his family. "When I heard that the Germans were killing Jews I wanted to fight them. So I left my family in Rostov to join the Russian forces to the east of Rostov. My sister and mother remained in Rostov. My father was working in the Russian army building railroads."
At that time, the Russian Army was near the Volga river near Stalingrad.
Zigmund did not reach Stalingrad. Instead, he met up with a cavalry unit and joined them Northwest of Stalingrad. He was provided a carbine rifle as a weapon. At that time, Kalashnikov's were rare and only given to special units--and especially not to 15 year olds.
Zigmund's unit was involved the Russian counterattack which encircled the German units camped out in Stalingrad. The counterattack was successful and the German units were cut off from supply. The German's had extended their supply lines too long and made the mistake of having the Romanians and Italians guarding their rear. Zigmund said that the Italians had no stomach for fighting and wanted to return to Italy. The Russians cut through the Italians like butter (or perhaps like Olive Oil? lol). As a result of the encirclement, the Germans in Stalingrad ran out of ammunition and food. Eventually, they surrendered. For the rest of the war, the Germans were in a state of retreat.
After the German's retreated, Zigmund returned Rostov and reunited with his family. For reasons unknown, Zigmund did not continue fighting in the Russian Army until the end of the war. Rostov was retaken by the Soviets in 1943. Zigmund did not indicate he was in the military after 1943. Zigmund did not think much of General Zhukov because he used the Russian Army like cannon fodder against the Germans.
After the war ended, Zigmund heard of a position open at the airport in Rostov. He took the position which involved constructing radars. He worked for Aeroflot for the next 50 years. One time, in the 1960s or 1970s the Shah of Iran visited the Rostov airport. According to Zigmund, the Shah and his wife were very dignified.
Version II: From Zarya, estranged and divorced wife of Zigmund, secondary history source (age 78).
At the local Jewish center in Cincinnati, all the old people call Zigmund "Little Napoleon" not so much because he is short (which he is) but because he is dictatorial and insists on always getting his way. Zarya does not believe Zigmund's war stories.
According to Zarya, Zigmund's mother was distraught when Zigmund left Rostov in 1942. Zigmund caused his family unnecessary suffering because of Zigmond's "adventures." Zigmund's mother remained in Rostov waiting for Zigmund to return even when the Germans were about to take Rostov. Zigmund's mother and her daughter waited for him until the last minute and narrowly avoided capture by grabbing the last train leaving the city as the Germans approached.
Zarya believes that Zigmund was just a boy at the time and was saved because the commander of the cavalry unit protected Zigmund and saved him from the fighting.
In any event, Zigmund did take a position at the airport. However, as he rose in his position, he was required to undergo additional training. Zigmund did not like to study and ended up bribing officials instead of passing the required courses.
During Zigmund's adventures, he had another daughter outside of his marriage to Zarya. That subject was not discussed.
If Etta James became hypothetically famous in Russia and became a big star, they would say etta spheresky grande. This is a big star, after all. The tug of war continues on the only daughter, who has a brief tantrum over timing of eating chicken soup
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