Famous Jews in the Military by Avi Heiligman

The Jewish Home | JUNE 16, 2022 Forgotten Her es

Famous Jews in the Military

By Avi Heiligman

Judah Touro Joseph Pulitzer Barney Ross, right, on Guadalcanal, 1943

In years past, when America went to war, the government called on regular citizens to do their patriotic duty and join the ranks of the military. Men and women from all walks of life answered the call, including some with unique talents and backgrounds. These servicemembers were often asked to utilize their special skills. For examples, foreign-born and multi-lingual soldiers were often used as translators, and doctors and nurses were sent to the medical corps. Then there were those servicemembers with celebrity, athletic or famous backgrounds, either before or after their service. Here are some famous Jewish Americans who served their country while wearing a military uniform.

Most, if not all, of the earliest Jewish communities in America were of Portuguese Sephardic background. The famous Touro Synagogue of Newport, Rhode Island, is still standing, and the son of the shul’s first chazzan became a well-to-do businessman. Judah Touro was also a well-known philanthropist and moved to New Orleans in 1801. There were only a few thousand Jews in America during the War of 1812, and records indicate that a few dozen signed up to serve. One of those volunteers was Touro, who joined the army of future President Andrew Jackson. Since he wasn’t fit to fight on the frontlines, Touro was tasked to carry ammunition to the cannons during the Battle of New Orleans. On January 1, 1815, a 12-pound shell struck him in the thigh, and he was left for dead. Another soldier, Rezin Davis Shepherd, wouldn’t leave his side and nursed Touro back to health.

Many foreigners fought on both sides of the American Civil War. Recruits came from all parts of the world, especially Eastern Europe. Joseph Pulitzer was from a Hungarian Jewish family, and Union recruiters brought him over to the U.S. when he was just 17. Before joining the Union Army, he had been rejected from the British Army, the French Foreign Legion and the Austrian Army. Once in America, Pulitzer joined Sheridan’s Troopers. They were part of the 1st New York Cavalry Regiment, and he fought in the Appomattox Campaign at the end of the war. He spoke three languages, but English was not one of them until after the war. Pulitzer became a congressman and a newspaper publisher, with the famous Pulitzer Prize for achievements in journalism, music and literature being named after his endowment for the prize money.

One of the most famous of all Jewish Silver Star recipients was known not for his fighting on the battlefield but for his achievements in the boxing ring. Barney Ross was a boxing champion before he joined the Marine Corps. Like many Americans that were deeply affected by the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Barney enlisted in the military instead of waiting to be drafted. Barney insisted on having a combat role and in 1942 was shipped out to the Pacific with the 8th Marine Regiment of the 2nd Marine Division.

On the night of November 19, 1942, Barney was on patrol with three other marines. Suddenly, they were caught in a firefight that wounded all of the marines. Barney was the only one able to fight and quickly put the wounded men in a foxhole. Two soldiers from the army joined them in the makeshift foxholes that were really artillery shell holes. Throughout the rest of the night, he fought off over two dozen Japanese soldiers with the guns, ammunition and grenades from his wounded fellow marines. Mortar and machine gun fire poured onto the American position. After Barney shot off 200 rounds of ammunition and hurled 22 grenades at the enemy, the Japanese fire ceased. The next morning, he discovered the area littered with the Japanese platoon that failed to capture Barney’s foxhole. Sadly, two of the three wounded marines also died that night. Barney carried the third to safety. Thirty bullet creases in his helmet showed how close Barney was to getting seriously hit as well.

For his exploits, Corporal Barney Ross was awarded the Silver Star, Purple Heart and Presidential Citation. He also received shrapnel wounds in his arm and leg to go with the malaria he had contracted. The Marines sent him back to the States to recuperate. After recovering from his wounds, he became an anti-drug advocate and later was a staunch supporter for the State of Israel.

Throughout the years, there have been many Jews who have served in the military that have gone to on to become actors, athletes, and politicians, among other professions. Actor Kirk Douglas served on a submarine chaser during World War II and was wounded by a premature detonation of a depth charge. Baseball Hall of Famer Hank Greenberg served with the Army Air Corps in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations. Supreme Court Justice and Secretary of Labor Arthur Goldberg served as an army captain during World War II. Goldberg worked for the Office of Strategic Services (the forerunner to the CIA) organizing anti-Nazi intelligence groups.

While we may know these people from other sources, their service to their country while in uniform is history to be remembered.

Avi Heiligman is a weekly contributor to The Jewish Home. He welcomes your comments and suggestions for future columns and can be reached at aviheiligman@gmail.com.