OperationBenjamin

Identifying Jewish American servicemen buried beneath incorrect grave markers and restoring their rightful identity.

[OperationBenjamin @OperBenjamin]

One hundred and eight years later, their identities have finally been restored.

@VINNews featured Operation Benjamin’s recent Mission in France, where five American Jewish soldiers of the First World War received Stars of David headstones accurately reflecting their Jewish identity.

The article also highlights the participation of @USAmbFrance Charles Kushner, who joined the ceremonies honoring these long-overlooked soldiers.

Read the full story below.
https://t.co/ieYUfk0Kq5

[OperationBenjamin @OperBenjamin]

The largest Mission in Operation Benjamin history is making headlines.

@ynet recently covered the Mission and the seventeen Jewish soldiers whose identities were finally honored more than a century later.
https://t.co/6seWNEng7a

[Ambassador Charles Kushner @USAmbFrance]

Seryl and I were incredibly moved to be part of @OperBenjamin efforts to replace five headstones at an @usabmc cemetery with the Star of David. We honor every fallen soldier and applaud Operation Benjamin for making sure these soldiers—and others—are recognized for their service and rest in peace under a symbol of their faith.

[OperationBenjamin @OperBenjamin]

Five Jewish American WW1 soldiers buried beneath Latin Crosses finally received Stars of David reflecting their faith and identity.

Thank you to @starsandstripes for covering this historic Operation Benjamin mission.

Read more:
https://t.co/amwOuy5gLa

[ABMC @usabmc]

WWI service members receive new headstones honoring their religious heritage

ABMC in coordination with @OperBenjamin and in the presence of @USAmbFrance changed out five Latin cross headstones to Stars of David at Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery.

Headstone changes were done at the request of the service members’ families who, along with Operation Benjamin, presented the required research to ABMC to warrant the change.

The ceremony honored Pvt. Samuel Tamkin, Pfc. Barney Bardman, Pvt. Samuel A. Backer, Pvt. Hyman Aronoff, and Pfc. Maurice W. Akabas.

🌐 Learn more: https://t.co/XU9UeEwEyM

[ABMC @usabmc]

“Today we gather to witness a solemn and meaningful act: the replacement of headstones so that the faith and identity of these fallen American soldiers are properly honored” — ABMC Chairman Michael X. Garrett.

The American Battle Monuments Commission in coordination with @OperBenjamin and in the presence of @USAmbFrance exchanged five Latin cross headstones for Stars of David June 2 at Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery.

Read more: https://t.co/XU9UeEwEyM

[OperationBenjamin @OperBenjamin]

For nearly 80 years, 1LT Nathan Baskind lay in a mass grave.

Today, he rests with full military honors at the Normandy American Cemetery.

@FoxNews featured Baskind's remarkable journey and the work that made it possible.

Read more:
https://t.co/PEmGXq2O5H

[OperationBenjamin @OperBenjamin]

On Memorial Day, we remember the American servicemen and women who gave their lives in defense of our country.

At Operation Benjamin, remembrance also carries a responsibility: to ensure that those who made the ultimate sacrifice are remembered truthfully.

For Jewish servicemen buried beneath Latin crosses in American military cemeteries, our work seeks to restore historical accuracy and place upon their graves the symbol that reflected who they were in life: the Star of David.

We are deeply grateful to our colleagues at the American Battle Monuments Commission and the German War Graves Commission for their partnership, professionalism, and shared commitment to honoring the fallen with dignity and historical accuracy.

This Memorial Day, we remember not only how they died, but who they were.

[OperationBenjamin @OperBenjamin]

Largest Mission in Operation Benjamin history.

Next month in France, 17 Jewish soldiers of the First World War, 5 Americans and 12 Germans, will finally receive grave markers accurately reflecting their Jewish identity more than a century after their deaths.

In preparation, Operation Benjamin’s advance team recently completed planning visits throughout the Meuse-Argonne region with cemetery leadership, government officials, clergy, security authorities, transportation teams, and partner organizations.

One of the most moving moments came when the @usabmc shared photographs of newly carved Stars of David headstones awaiting placement at the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery.

108 years later, these soldiers’ identities are finally being restored with dignity and accuracy.

[OperationBenjamin @OperBenjamin]

81 years ago, PFC Ralph G. Greenstein was killed in action at age 25.

Though his records identified him as Jewish, he was buried beneath a Latin Cross.

In 2023, that decades-old error was corrected. His grave now bears a Star of David, restoring his identity, dignity, and legacy.

Watch the moving highlights from his ceremony below.
May his memory be a blessing. ✡️

https://t.co/frQbZMzLsj

[OperationBenjamin @OperBenjamin]

Eighty-one years ago, 2LT Howard Feldman was killed in action at just 21 years old, days before WWII ended.

Though his Jewish identity was documented, he was buried beneath a Latin Cross for nearly 77 years.

In 2022, his headstone was corrected to a Star of David, restoring the truth.

Howard Feldman was an American airman and a Jewish soldier. Today, his grave reflects both.

Watch the ceremony below:
https://t.co/sbwISOA19J

[OperationBenjamin @OperBenjamin]

He flew his fifth mission. He never came home.

1LT Joseph Sugarman, a Jewish American pilot, was buried under the wrong symbol for decades.

In 2022, that changed.

His headstone now bears a Star of David, restoring not just a grave, but the truth of who he was.

[OperationBenjamin @OperBenjamin]

1LT Harvey S. Hoffman enlisted in 1940, received an honorable discharge, and then made a choice that defined him:

He went back.

A commissioned officer, he deployed to Europe and took part in the Allied landings in southern France. In 1945, he was killed on duty at just 28.

Though confirmed Jewish, he was buried beneath a Latin Cross.

In 2022, his family, Operation Benjamin, and the @usabmc restored his identity with a Star of David.

Honor returned. ✡️

[OperationBenjamin @OperBenjamin]

Private Arthur Waldman survived the Bataan Death March, but died as a POW in Japan in 1944.
He was buried beneath a Latin Cross, despite living and serving as a Jew.

In 2020, Operation Benjamin, with the @usabmc and Arthur’s family, replaced his headstone with a Star of David.

This anniversary is a reminder:
Even decades later, responsibility remains.
To remember. To restore. To tell the truth.

🎥 Watch the dedication ceremony.

[OperationBenjamin @OperBenjamin]

For nearly 80 years, Harry Cordova lived with one unanswered wrong.

His older brother, Corporal Sam Cordova, was killed in WWII and buried under a Latin Cross, despite being Jewish.

At 99, Harry helped restore the truth with Operation Benjamin and the @usabmc, Sam Cordova’s headstone now rests beneath a Star of David at the Manila American Cemetery.

His tribute, quiet, loving, and unwavering, was played at the ceremony. A promise, finally kept.

Watch Harry’s tribute: https://t.co/SWIHWTXSX6

[OperationBenjamin @OperBenjamin]

81 years ago, Everett Seixas Jr. was killed in action during the Battle of the Bulge.

More than a century earlier, his ancestor Moses Seixas wrote to George Washington asking if Jews truly belonged in America.
Washington answered: “to bigotry no sanction.”

Everett fulfilled that promise with his life.

In 2022, Operation Benjamin in partnership with the @usabmc, helped restore his grave with a Star of David.

The Star of David now standing over Everett Seixas Jr.’s grave does not rewrite history, it tells it accurately.

[OperationBenjamin @OperBenjamin]

Pvt. Albert Belmont, born Abraham Belkowitz, was a Jewish American photographer and father who left everything behind to fight fascism in WWII.

He was killed at just 33 during the Battle of Metz.

For nearly 80 years, his Jewish identity was missing, until it was finally restored. Today, he rests beneath a Star of David at the Lorraine American Cemetery, thanks to the tireless efforts of Operation Benjamin, the @usabmc and his family. This is a story of truth, sacrifice, and history set right.

His daughter and granddaughter refused to let his story be forgotten. Their journey was documented by The Washington Post.
https://t.co/P7EF1BNeXQ

[OperationBenjamin @OperBenjamin]

Major Maxwell Jerome Papurt was a psychologist, OSS officer, and leader beloved by his men. Killed in a WWII POW camp at age 37, he was buried under the wrong symbol for nearly 80 years.

In 2022, his identity was finally restored.

Today, a Star of David honors him at Lorraine American Cemetery. ✡️

[OperationBenjamin @OperBenjamin]

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[OperationBenjamin @OperBenjamin]

What moves her most is the courage of the soldiers who faced hatred and still chose to fight for freedom. To Yvonne, each corrected headstone represents far more than a religious symbol; it’s a restoration of truth, a return of identity, and an act of justice long overdue. Her work reminds us that remembrance isn’t bound only by faith, it’s an expression of shared humanity, and of standing up for what is right. Here is our conversation (lightly edited for brevity);

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