Soldiers from New York: Jewish Soldiers in The New York Times, in World War Two: First Lieutenant Sidney Diamond – January 9, 1945

Though Lieutenant Sidney Diamond’s obituary appeared in the Times on March 2, 1945, his name appeared in a Casualty List over three weeks later:  On March 24. 

Awarded the Silver Star, he is buried at Cedar Park Cemetery, in Paramus, New Jersey. 

Bronx Boy Killed on Luzon Received Two Citations

First Lieut. Sidney Diamond, who was with the Eighty-Second Chemical Battalion, was killed on Luzon on Jan. 9, according to word receive yesterday by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Diamond, of 1375 Nelson Avenue, the Bronx.  He was 22 years old.

Lieutenant Diamond, who served nineteen months in the South Pacific, received two citations.  On April 20, 1944, somewhere in the South Pacific, he was cited for giving “outstanding effective support” to another division by “fire laid down by your 4.2 mortar which proved to be a powerful and devastating supplement to the division’s artillery and mortar fire and helped reduce the loss of life.”

In Bougainville on June 25, 1944, he was cited again.  Although the infantry withdrew for the duration of a barrage laid down by the enemy, Lieutenant Diamond stuck to his post as a forward observer of a mortar battery.  “Your courageous and conspicuously efficient action assisted greatly in defeating a determined enemy,” the citation read.

Lieutenant Diamond was studying chemical engineering at City College when he entered the Army.  Besides his parents he leaves a sister, Mrs. Anita Diamond Nicholson.

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Some other Jewish military casualties on Tuesday, January 9, 1945, include…

Killed in Action
– .ת.נ.צ.ב.ה. –

Beitchman, Sidney, PFC, 33799580, Purple Heart (in France)
United States Army, 100th Infantry Division, 397th Infantry Regiment
Mrs. Lucille L. (Herman) Beitchman (wife) [Married 2/4/39], 260 South 3rd St., Philadelphia, Pa.
Mrs. Sarah Beitchman (mother), 1224 N. 42nd St., Philadelphia, Pa.
Born Philadelphia, Pa., 4/6/18
Epinal American Cemetery, Epinal, France – Plot A, Row 42, Grave 17
American Jews in World War II – 510

Benson, Alvin, S/Sgt., 32056817, Medical Corps, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart
United States Army, 44th Infantry Division, 114th Infantry Regiment
Mrs. Minnie Benson (Mother), 112 Palmet St., Passaic, N.J.
Born 12/25/17
Beverly National Cemetery, Beverly, N.J. – Section C, Grave 1935 (Buried 12/27/48)
Casualty List 2/22/45
American Jews in World War II – 226

Dronzik, Julius, Pvt., 32900185, Purple Heart (On Luzon, in the Philippines)
United States Army, 43rd Infantry Division, 169th Infantry Regiment
Mrs. Anna Dronzik (mother), 346 Pennsylvania Ave., Brooklyn, N.Y.
Born 12/28/13
Casualty List 3/20/45
Beth David Cemetery, Elmont, N.Y.
American Jews in World War II – 299

Feingold, Murray W., Pvt., 14118554, Silver Star, Purple Heart, 1 Oak Leaf Cluster
United States Army, 84th Infantry Division, 335th Infantry Regiment
Mr. Pat Feingold (father), Atlanta Ga. / Albany, Ga.
Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery, Henri-Chapelle, Belgium – Plot G, Row 10, Grave 54
American Jews in World War II – 87

Heit, Meyer, T/5, 31349281, Combat Engineer, Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart (in Luxembourg)
United States Army, 90th Infantry Division, 315th Engineer Combat Battalion
Mrs. Soli Heit (mother), 290 Franklin St., Springfield, Ma.
Born 1918
Luxembourg American Cemetery, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg – Plot A, Row 5, Grave 11
American Jews in World War II – 163

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Kubrick, Harry Edward, PFC, 33419627, Purple Heart (in Germany)
United States Army, 90th Infantry Division, 357th Infantry Regiment
Mr. and Mrs. Israel and Mary Kubrick (parents), 1305 Center St., Pittsburgh, Pa.; Mrs. Louise Cox (sister) (1930 Census gives step-parents as Samuel and Sarah Winer)
Born Washington, Pa., 11/6/17
Long Island National Cemetery, Farmingdale, N.Y. – Section J, Grave 14789
First three National Jewish Welfare Board biographical cards state “No Publicity”‘; publicity permissible on 7/24/46;
Jewish Criterion (Pittsburgh) 9/7/45
American Jews in World War II – 534

____________________

Rosenfeld, Gerald F., Pvt., 42131631, Purple Heart
United States Army, 84th Infantry Division, 334th Infantry Regiment
Mrs. Liza M. Rosenfeld (mother), 2149 Southern Blvd., Bronx, N.Y.
Born 1924; City College of New York Class of 1948
Place of burial unknown
Casualty List 3/7/45
The New York Times
– Obituary Section (Memorial Listing) 1/9/46

American Jews in World War II – 419

Sommer, Herbert, PFC, 12091899, Silver Star, Purple Heart (in Belgium)
United States Army, 101st Airborne Division, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, G Company
Mr. Abraham W. Sommer (father), 2954 W. 30th St., Brooklyn, N.Y. / 221 E. 168th St., Bronx, N.Y.
Born 2/22/23
Long Island National Cemetery, Farmingdale, N.Y. – Section J, Grave 13989
Casualty List 3/15/45
American Jews in World War II – 450

Weidman, Norman, PFC, 12227186, Purple Heart (in France)
United States Army, 100th Infantry Division, 397th Infantry Regiment
Mr. Louis Weidman (father), 456 Schenectady Ave., Brooklyn, N.Y.
Born 1926
Place of burial unknown
Casualty List 3/29/45
American Jews in World War II – 466

Yudelson, Marvin, S/Sgt., 14118699, Purple Heart (in Belgium)
United States Army, 75th Infantry Division, 290th Infantry Regiment
Mr. Leo Yudelson (father), 2603 S. 10th Ave., Birmingham, Al.
Born 4/29/22
Beth El Cemetery, Jefferson County, Al.
American Jews in World War II – 36

Died While Prisoners of the Japanese

Buchman, Arthur H., 2 Lt., 0-392308
United States Army, Coast Artillery Corps, 59th Coast Artillery Regiment
Captured in Philippines; Died while POW 1/9/45 aboard Enoura Maru
Mr. Harry H. Buchman (father), 100 Greensboro Lane, Greentree, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Born 1917
Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines
American Jews in World War II – 514

____________________

Omansky, Herman, PFC, 37026102, Purple Heart
United States Army, Medical Corps, 194th Tank Battalion
Captured 4/9/42; Died while POW 1/9/45 aboard Enoura Maru
Mr. and Mrs. David and Rose (Cohen) Burnstein (parents), 206 State St., St. Paul, Mn.
Born Saint Paul, Mn., 6/22/05; Mechanics Art School, Class of 1924
Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines
War Department Release 5/43
American Jews in World War II – 203

This photograph of PFC Omansky, and, some of the biographical information presented above, are from the Proviso East High School Bataan Commemorative Research Project website. 

____________________

Rathblott, Irving, 1 Lt., 0-402449, Purple Heart
United States Army, Quartermaster Corps
Philippine Detachment, Headquarters
Captured in Philippines; Died while POW 1/9/45 aboard Enoura Maru
Mr. Nathan Rathblott (father), 1824 68th Ave., Philadelphia, Pa.
Born 1915; President of Sigma Alpha Rho Fraternity
Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines
The Jewish Exponent – 12/25/42;
American Jews in World War II
– 545

This photograph of Lt. Rathblott appeared in The Jewish Exponent on December 25, 1942. 

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Schwartz, Abe, 2 Lt., 0-890089, Purple Heart
United States Army, Quartermaster Corps
Captured in Philippines; Died while POW 1/9/45 aboard Enoura Maru
Mrs. Antonia Schwartz (wife), 3155 West Van Buren, Chicago, Il.
Miss Katie Schwartz (sister), 3770 Beechwood Blvd., Pittsburgh, Pa.
Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines
Jewish Criterion (Pittsburgh) 5/21/43, 9/24/43, 9/7/45 (Name only)
American Jews in World War II – 550

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Prisoners of War (European Theater)

Adler, Arnold A., PFC, 32684309
United States Army, 100th Infantry Division, 397th Infantry Regiment
Stalag 9B (Bad Orb), Berga am Elster
New York, N.Y., 1/1/21
Mr. and Mrs. Al and Hannah Adler (parents), 1304 Merriam Ave., Bronx, N.Y.
Casualty List (Liberated POW) 5/24/45
American Jews in World War II – 264

Berger, Peter J., S/Sgt., 33107277
United States Army, 42nd Infantry Division, 242nd Infantry Regiment
Stalag 9B (Bad Orb)
Mrs. Lena Berger (mother), 3201 Longshore Ave., Philadelphia, Pa.
Casualty List 5/8/45
American Jews in World War II – Not Listed

Brimberg, Morton D., PFC, 12228345, Purple Heart
United States Army, 42nd Infantry Division, 242nd Infantry Regiment, C Company
Stalag 9B (Bad Orb), Berga am Elster
Mr. Hyman Brimberg (father), 5211 17th Ave., Brooklyn, N.Y. (Phone: WI8-1184) / 69 Custer St., Buffalo, 14, N.Y.
Born N.Y., 1/6/26 (?); Surname changed to “Brooks” after World War II
Casualty Lists 4/1/45, 5/19/45
American Jews in World War II – 284

____________________

Daub, Gerald M., PFC, 32961478
United States Army, 100th Infantry Division, 397th Infantry Regiment
Stalag 9B (Bad Orb), Berga am Elster
Mr. Sidney Daub (father), 422 Avenue I, Brooklyn, N.Y. (Phone: CL8-1309)
Born N.Y., 1/26/25
American Jews in World War II – Not Listed

Gerald Daub, in training in the United States.  (c/o Gerald Daub)

Gerald Daub tells his story.  The interview below, uploaded to YouTube in June of 2015, is one of many interviews of WW II veterans at the website of the New York State Military Museum.  

____________________

Filler, Milton, Pvt., 31387184
United States Army, 36th Infantry Division, 142nd Infantry Regiment, B Company
Stalag 9B (Bad Orb), Berga am Elster
Mr. Max Filler (father), 171 (169?) Home Ave., Providence, R.I.
Born 8/10/14
American Jews in World War II – Not Listed

Herz, Heinz Leon, PFC, 36897301
United States Army, 100th Infantry Division, 397th Infantry Regiment, F Company
Stalag 4B (Muhlberg)
Born Saarbrucken, Germany, 6/19/25
Mrs. Henrietta Herz (mother), 2492 Clairmount Ave., Detroit, Mi.
The Jewish News (Detroit) 6/1/45
American Jews in World War II – Not Listed

The above news article, about PFC Herz’s liberation from Stalag 4B, appeared in the Jewish News (of Detroit) on June 1, 1945. 

____________________

Horowitz, Leon, PFC, 32995294
United States Army, 100th Infantry Division, 397th Infantry Regiment, F Company
Stalag 9B (Bad Orb)
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Born N.Y., 1925
American Jews in World War II – Not Listed

Katz
, Jack, S/Sgt., 36348962

United States Army, 79th Infantry Division, 313th Infantry Division
Stalag 9B (Bad Orb)
Mrs. Dorothy Katz (wife), c/o Adel Shop, 134 Marguette St., La Salle, Il.
Casualty List 5/22/45
American Jews in World War II – 105

Kohn
, Seymour, PFC, 32598509

United States Army, 100th Infantry Division, 397th Infantry Regiment
Stalag 9B (Bad Orb), Berga am Elster
Philadelphia, Pa., 5/8/19
Mrs. Rachel (Monnes) Kohn (wife?), 749 Chancellor Ave., Irvington, N.J.
American Jews in World War II – Not Listed

Levin
, Marvin, PFC, 36707768, Purple Heart

United States Army, 42nd Infantry Division, 242nd Infantry Regiment
Stalag 4B (Muhlberg)
Mrs. Lillian Levin (mother), 2626 East 75th St., Chicago, Il.
Casualty List 6/11/45
American Jews in World War II – 107

Levy
, Nathan, T/3, 32651951

United States Army, 100th Infantry Division, 397th Infantry Regiment
Stalag 9A (Ziegenhain)
Mrs. Irene Levy (wife), 446 Kingston Ave., Brooklyn, N.Y.
Casualty Lists 4/1/45, 5/23/45
American Jews in World War II – Not Listed

Linet
, Harry, Pvt., 35917634

United States Army, 36th Infantry Division, 142nd Infantry Regiment, B Company
Stalag 9B (Bad Orb), Berga am Elster
Cleveland, Oh., 12/29/13
Mrs. Minnie Linet (wife), 3714 Sudbury, Shaker Heights, Cleveland, 20, Oh.
Mr. Ben Linet (father), General Delivery, Apco, Oh.
Casualty List 5/18/45
American Jews in World War II – Not Listed

Rubin
, Arthur I., PFC, 31427773

United States Army, 100th Infantry Division, 397th Infantry Regiment
Stalag 9B (Bad Orb), Berga am Elster
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel and Alice (Baum) Rubin (parents), 110 Shute St., Everett, Ma.
Born Malden, Ma., 5/7/25
Casualty List 5/22/45
American Jews in World War II – Not Listed

Rudnick
, Robert, PFC, 42044091

United States Army, 100th Infantry Division, 397th Infantry Regiment
Stalag 9B (Bad Orb), Berga am Elster
Mr. Morris Rudnick (father), 1516 East 32nd St., Brooklyn, N.Y.
Born Brooklyn, N.Y., 7/11/25
American Jews in World War II – Not Listed

Siegel
, Martin, PFC, 42104184

United States Army, 42nd Infantry Division, 242nd Infantry Regiment
Stalag 4B (Muhlberg)
Mrs. Frances S. Bloom (sister), 19 Block Ave., Newark, N.J.
Casualty Lists 4/17/45, 6/18/45 (Liberated POW)
American Jews in World War II – Not Listed

Trachtman
, Leon E., PFC, 12225750

United States Army, 95th Infantry Division, 397th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion, Headquarters Company
Stalag 9B (Bad Orb), Berga am Elster
Mr. Max Trachtman (father), 1463 Ocean Ave., Brooklyn, 30, N.Y. (Phone: NA3-6242)
Born Brooklyn, N.Y., 9/26/25
Casualty Lists 4/26/45, 5/31/45
American Jews in World War II – 461

References

Dublin, Louis I., and Kohs, Samuel C., American Jews in World War II – The Story of 550,000 Fighters for Freedom, The Dial Press, New York, N.Y., 1947