Isadore S. Jachman
Encyclopedia
Isadore Seigfreid Jachman (December 14, 1922 -January 4, 1945)was a United States Army
sergeant who was killed in World War II
after defending the town of Flamierge, Belgium from a German attack on January 4, 1945. For his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity, above and beyond the call of duty"; he received the Medal of Honor
.
, on December 14, 1922, the first son of Leo and Lotte Jachmann. The family moved to the United States
when Isadore was two years old. He was raised in Baltimore
, Maryland
and attended high school at the Baltimore City College
, graduating in 1939. Jachman, who was Jewish, had relatives who died in the Holocaust, including six aunts and uncles. He joined the Army after the attack on Pearl Harbor
.
and his company were pinned down by enemy artillery, mortar, small arms fire and two hostile tanks that attacked the unit, inflicting heavy casualties. Sergeant Jachman left his place of cover, dashed across open ground, through a hail of fire and grabbed a bazooka from a fallen comrade. He then advanced on the tanks, which concentrated their fire on him. Firing his weapon, he damaged one and forced both of them to retire.
Some years later the village of Flamierge erected a statue where an unknown brave American soldier had stood fighting to save the village. Later, a search of Army records established that this indeed was Staff Sgt. Jachman, and his name was added to the statue. Today, the Staff Sgt. Isadore Jachman Armory is located at 12100 Greenspring Avenue, Owings Mills, Maryland.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
sergeant who was killed in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
after defending the town of Flamierge, Belgium from a German attack on January 4, 1945. For his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity, above and beyond the call of duty"; he received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
.
Background
Isadore Jachman was born in Berlin, GermanyGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, on December 14, 1922, the first son of Leo and Lotte Jachmann. The family moved to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
when Isadore was two years old. He was raised in Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
and attended high school at the Baltimore City College
Baltimore City College
The Baltimore City College , also referred to as The Castle on the Hill, historically as The College, and most commonly City, is a public high school in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A. The City College curriculum includes the International Baccalaureate Programme and emphasizes study in the classics...
, graduating in 1939. Jachman, who was Jewish, had relatives who died in the Holocaust, including six aunts and uncles. He joined the Army after the attack on Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor, known to Hawaiians as Puuloa, is a lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. Much of the harbor and surrounding lands is a United States Navy deep-water naval base. It is also the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet...
.
The Mission
Sergeant Jachman, Company B, 513th Parachute Infantry Regiment513th Parachute Infantry Regiment
During World War II, the 513th Parachute Infantry Regiment was a regiment of the 17th Airborne Division of the United States Army. The regiment participated in the latter stages of the Battle of the Bulge and parachuted into Germany in Operation Varsity.-History:The regiment was constituted on...
and his company were pinned down by enemy artillery, mortar, small arms fire and two hostile tanks that attacked the unit, inflicting heavy casualties. Sergeant Jachman left his place of cover, dashed across open ground, through a hail of fire and grabbed a bazooka from a fallen comrade. He then advanced on the tanks, which concentrated their fire on him. Firing his weapon, he damaged one and forced both of them to retire.
Some years later the village of Flamierge erected a statue where an unknown brave American soldier had stood fighting to save the village. Later, a search of Army records established that this indeed was Staff Sgt. Jachman, and his name was added to the statue. Today, the Staff Sgt. Isadore Jachman Armory is located at 12100 Greenspring Avenue, Owings Mills, Maryland.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Jewish Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II