Eugene Kownacki was drafted into the United States Army in 1941. He enlisted on 1941-07-28 in Trenton, NJ. Once he was inducted to the Army, he was assigned to Fort Dix, NJ. He was assigned to Company I, 1229 R.C. On 1941-09-09, Kownacki was sent to Fort Monmouth, NJ. He was enrolled in advanced courses at the Signal Corp Photographic School. As a technician fifth grade, in late 1944, Kownacki was given supervision of a Signal Corps’ photographic sub laboratory in Washington DC. Kownacki took photographs of military officials such as Captain Eddie Rickenbacker, and Hollywood figures who were in the Army. 

Eugene John “Gene” Kownacki was born on 1916-11-12 to Marcel and Agnes (née Chryczyk) Kownacki in Ramapo, NY. Kownacki was the oldest of three. His younger siblings were Zenon and Cecile. The Kownacki family lived on Valley Road, Mahwah. Kownacki was a member of Boy Scout Troop 22 of Suffern, NY. He was a pitcher for the Young Pirates, a recreation baseball team in Mahwah. Kownacki attended Don Bosco Preparatory High School. He had to drop out for a brief period to take care of his family after his brother, Zenon, was killed in a car accident and his mother, father, and sister were injured. After his graduation from Don Bosco, he enrolled in the New York Institute of Photography. Here, Kownacki learned about commercial, industrial, newspaper, and portrait photography. Kownacki became a freelance photographer with a home studio after graduating. He also worked as a correspondent for The News, The Call, and Ramapo Valley Independent. He was the sports editor and a sports photographer for the Ramsey Journal. Kownacki played the clarinet and violin with the Pearl River Robin Rhythm Makers. In his free time, he played basketball with the Mahwah Falcons in a Sunday league in Hillburn, NY. He also was a summer counselor at a camp hosted by Don Bosco Prep. 

While stationed in Washington DC, Kownacki met and married Lillian S. Dehn on 1945-07-21. The Kownacki’s lived in Silver Spring, MD while he was working as a photographer with the Pentagon’s Army Photographic Agency, before retiring in Colorado. He joined the Knights of Columbus in Cabin John, MD. While working with the Signal Corps, Kownacki learned magic tricks from a Signal Corps captain. This led to his second job as “Gene the Magic Clown.” Kownacki performed for politicians, diplomats, the Kenndeys, hospitals, nursing homes, and children. He appeared at a National Spelling Bee, an International Christmas Festival, and International Children's Festivals. He also appeared on television on Sesame Street, with Bozo the Clown, and Jimmy Dean. Kownacki was a former president and member of the National Capital Ring 50 of the International Brotherhood of Magicians and a member of the Magicians Alliance of Eastern States. Retiring as a photojournalist, Kownacki continued to entertain in CO. Kownacki died on 2010-04-09. He was 93. 

"144 Leave Today To Take Places In Draft Army," The Record, July 28, 1941, p. 2. 

"A Possible Query On Kownacki's Part Answered," Ramapo Valley Independent, April 21, 1939, p. 12. 

"Cavalcade," Ramapo Valley Independent, August 19, 1938, p. 7.

"Clown Gene Kownacki," Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph, October 29, 1977, p. 57. 

"County Scouts In Exhibition of Activities at Nyack High School," Rockland County Evening Journal, April 13, 1931, p. 3. 

Department of the Army, Chicopee Public Library. 

Eugene J Kownacki, U.S., World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946.

Eugene J. Kownacki, U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947.

Eugene John ‘Gene’ Kownacki, Find a Grave. 

Eugene John Kownacki, Washington, D.C., U.S., Marriage Records, 1810-1953.

Eugene Kownacki, 1930 United States Federal Census.

"Gene Kownacki Gets Job In Washington," Ramapo Valley Independent, October 26, 1944, p. 8.

"Gene Kownacki in U.S. Signal Corps," The News, September 17, 1941, p. 6. 

"Gene Kownacki, Once Mahwah Correspondent Describes Army Life," Ramapo Valley Independent, September 18, 1941, p. 8. 

"Holiday in Maryland," Ramapo Valley Independent, December 4, 1958, p. 14.

"Home For Christmas," The Morning Call, December 26, 1941, p. 9. 

"Jr. Baseball League News," Ramapo Valley Independent, August 5, 1932, p. 3. 

"Just Clowning Around," The Sunday Star, November 18, 1962, p. 102. 

"Kownacki Proves 'Model Soldier' For N.Y. Artists," The News, February 2, 1942, p. 64. 

"Kownacki," The Record, December 27, 1970, p. 62. 

"Kownacki to Head Group of Draftees," The News, July 19, 1941, p. 13. 

"Mahwah Boy Killed In Auto Accident Laid To Rest Friday," Ramapo Valley Independent, April 8, 1932, p. 8.

"Mahwah News," Ramapo Valley Independent, August 28, 1941, p. 3. 

"Mahwah News," Ramapo Valley Independent, October 16, 1941, p. 3.

"Mahwah News," Ramapo Valley Independent, September 11, 1941, p. 3. 

"Mahwah News," Ramapo Valley Independent, September 16, 1943, p. 2.

"Mahwah," Ramapo Valley Independent, December 24, 1937, p. 1. 

"Mahwah," The Morning Call, November 10, 1941, p. 18. 

"Mahwah," The News, September 30, 1935, p. 8. 

"Mother Visits Former Newsman, Now Soldier," The News, September 9, 1942, p. 6. 

"Nine Men Are In Next Draft Quota From Ramsey Board," The News, July 24, 1941, p. 1. 

"On Furlough," The Morning Call, November 11, p. 9. 

"Our Felicitations on a Good Job Being Done," Ramapo Valley Independent, January 6, 1939, p. 6. 

"Performs for President's Daughter," Ridgewood Herald-News, January 26, 1961, p. 1, 2. 

"Peterson Field Opens Summer Theater Season," Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph, June 24, 1975, p. 8. 

"Photographer Kownacki Poses As Artist Model," The Record, February 2, 1942, p. 5. 

"Placed In Charge Of Signal Corps Lab," The Morning Call, October 19, 1944, p. 19. 

"Schumacher Will Head Great Falls K. of C.," The Evening Star, June 8, 1950, p. 29. 

"Security Savings Booth Offers," Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph, March 16, 1976, p. 31.