Identify the American-Jewish World War I and World War II servicemembers who were buried in incorrectly-marked graves?
The Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act would direct the American Battle Monuments Commission to establish a program to identify the estimated 900 American-Jewish World War I and World War II servicemembers who died in warfare and were buried overseas under a marker that indicates a religion other than Judaism. The program would also identify American-Jewish survivors and descendants of covered servicemembers. The bill would allow the Commission to partner with a nonprofit with a budget of $500,000 to identify these individuals. Sponsor: Sen. Jerry Moran (Republican, Kansas)
View full bill text ➔
How do you feel?
Oppose
Support
Opponents say
• At the time of research and publication, no official opposing statements have been identified. This does not mean that nobody opposes the bill, nor does it mean that opposing statements will not be made in the future.
Proponents say
• "We owe a debt we can never repay to those who have given their last full measure of devotion on behalf of our nation and the freedoms we cherish, religious liberty being chief among them. This legislation makes certain that the religious heritage of those who have died for our country, particularly Jewish-American servicemembers, is rightfully represented at their final resting places, providing their survivors with assurance that their loved one’s faith is being acknowledged and memorialized with accuracy." Source: Sen. Jerry Moran (Republican, Kansas), Chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee
• "This bill is an important step to allow for the research necessary to correct these errors and ensure there are resources for that work. This will make it possible for these brave Jewish servicemembers’ descendants to know that their loved one’s military service, life and religious heritage are properly honored" Source: Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Democrat, Florida, District 25)
• "Every American who puts on the uniform deserves to be remembered with dignity and respect. Many brave servicemembers made the ultimate sacrifice while defending freedom in World War I and World War II—but due to clerical errors or concerns for their safety during service, their religious identities were not properly recorded. This bill is a meaningful step to correct those errors and ensure these heroes are laid to rest with the honor and dignity they deserve." Source: Rep. Max Miller (Republican, Ohio, District 7)
• "JWV understands that approximately 900 American-Jewish servicemembers who lost their lives during World War I and World War II and were buried in U.S. military cemeteries overseas (ABMC) were mistakenly interred under markers that do not represent their religion or heritage. JWV recognizes that most of these errors are unintentional; however, these mistakes hide the identity and legacy of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. American-Jewish servicemembers served with honor and bravery, playing a crucial role in winning the Allied victory. They deserve to be remembered with dignity and accuracy. The United States has a solemn duty to ensure every fallen servicemember is honored correctly. Enacting H.R. 2701/S.1318 helps ensure that the Star of David marks the Jewish graves of servicemembers, currently marked in error." Source: Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America
- Sens. Moran, Rosen Introduce Legislation to Correct Religious Heritage on Grave Markers for Fallen Servicemembers (Press Release)
- U.S. Senate passes Kansas lawmaker's bill to correct grave markers of Jewish-American veterans (Kansas Reflector)
- Operation Benjamin works to replace erroneous grave markers for Jewish American service members who died in battle (CNN)
- Pride and Peril: Jewish American POWs in Europe (The National WWII Museum)
- Our Services (American Battle Monuments Commission)
- Sen. Jerry Moran’s Largest Donors (OpenSecrets)
