World War II
During World War II 16.1 million American service members served and more than 650,000 of them were Jewish American men and women. More than 50,000 American Jews received medals during the war including five Medals of Honor.
Among the recipients were three Jewish Americans, Isadore S. Jachman, Ben L. Salomon and Raymond Zussman who all received it posthumously. Jachman and Salomon were both killed attempting to assist other fallen soldiers; Zussman's medal was received for risking his life on September 12, 1944, but he was killed less than a month later before receiving it.
This along with * indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously
- Note: Notes in quotations are derived or are copied from the official Medal of Honor citation
| Image | Name | Service | Rank | Place of action | Date of action | Notes | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Jachman, Isadore S.Isadore S. Jachman* | Army | E-06 !Staff Sergeant | Flamierge, Belgium | 01945-01-04Jan 4, 1945 | "eft his place of cover and with total disregard for his own safety dashed across open ground through a hail of fire and seizing a bazooka from a fallen comrade advanced on the tanks, which concentrated their fire on him. Firing the weapon alone, he damaged one and forced both to retire." | |
| — | Salomon, Ben L.Ben L. Salomon* | Army | O-03 !Captain | Battle of Saipan, Mariana Islands | 01944-07-07Jul 7, 1944 | Held off advancing Japanese soldiers to protect the wounded he was treating | |
| — | Zussman, RaymondRaymond Zussman* | Army | O-01 !Second Lieutenant | Noroy-le-Bourg, France | 01944-09-12Sep 12, 1944 | "econnoitered alone on foot far in advance of his remaining tank and the infantry ... Fully exposed to fire from enemy positions only 50 yards distant, he stood by his tank directing its fire ... Again he walked before his tank, leading it against an enemy-held group of houses, machinegun and small arms fire kicking up dust at his feet. ... Going on alone, he disappeared around a street corner. The fire of his carbine could be heard and in a few minutes he reappeared driving 30 prisoners before him." |
Read more about this topic: List Of Jewish Medal Of Honor Recipients
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