World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. He graduated from the University of Southern California (USC) Dental College in 1937 and was practicing dentistry when inducted in the U.S. Army. In 1942, he became an officer in the Dental Corps. and worked in the hospital medical group during World War II (WWII). By June 1944, he was Captain, serving as voluntarily Surgeon, in the 2nd Battalion, 105th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division. At the Battle of Saipan, Marianas Islands on July 7, 1944, thousands of Japanese troops broke through American lines to non-combat units and areas. As the perimeter began to be overrun, he ordered enlisted medics to evacuate the wounded to a rear area. Manning a machine gun he stayed behind to provide cover and hold off the advancing enemy. The next day he was found dead, slumped over the machine gun surrounded by 98 dead Japanese soldiers. Although he was recommended for a posthumous Medal of Honor at the time, the recommendation was not approved because of his status as a medical officer precluded his eligibility for the award. After numerous levels of review, the Secretary of Defense signed approval of the award in March 2002 and his Medal was presented in a White House ceremony on May 1, 2002. He is one of seventeen Jewish Americans known to have received the Medal of Honor since it's inception during the Civil War to the present.
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. He graduated from the University of Southern California (USC) Dental College in 1937 and was practicing dentistry when inducted in the U.S. Army. In 1942, he became an officer in the Dental Corps. and worked in the hospital medical group during World War II (WWII). By June 1944, he was Captain, serving as voluntarily Surgeon, in the 2nd Battalion, 105th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division. At the Battle of Saipan, Marianas Islands on July 7, 1944, thousands of Japanese troops broke through American lines to non-combat units and areas. As the perimeter began to be overrun, he ordered enlisted medics to evacuate the wounded to a rear area. Manning a machine gun he stayed behind to provide cover and hold off the advancing enemy. The next day he was found dead, slumped over the machine gun surrounded by 98 dead Japanese soldiers. Although he was recommended for a posthumous Medal of Honor at the time, the recommendation was not approved because of his status as a medical officer precluded his eligibility for the award. After numerous levels of review, the Secretary of Defense signed approval of the award in March 2002 and his Medal was presented in a White House ceremony on May 1, 2002. He is one of seventeen Jewish Americans known to have received the Medal of Honor since it's inception during the Civil War to the present.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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