Today we pause to remember Pearl Harbor — a morning that changed our nation forever and took the lives of more than 2,400 Americans.

Among those who answered the call to duty were thousands of Jewish servicemen — sailors, airmen, soldiers — serving shoulder-to-shoulder with Americans of every background. Some were killed in the attack, some were wounded, and many survived to carry the memories of that day for the rest of their lives.

We remember individuals whose stories have come down to us:

Ensign Charles M. Stern Jr. — lost aboard the USS Oklahoma.
Sherman Levine — killed at Hickam Field.
Jack H. Feldman — 22nd Materiel Squadron, Hickam Field.
Louis (Lew) Schleifer — heroically killed at Hickam Field while trying to move aircraft to safety; later awarded the Silver Star.
Alfred A. Rosenthal — radioman on the USS California.

And we honor Jewish servicemen who survived the attack, including:

Aaron Chabin — U.S. Army Signal Corps, who later shared his eyewitness memories.
Benjamin (Ben) Lichtman — a sailor aboard the USS West Virginia.
Lee Goldfarb — Navy radioman and Pearl Harbor survivor.

These are just a few of the known names. Because military records did not track religious identity, countless Jewish servicemen who were there that morning remain unnamed — yet no less remembered. We have a useful link page to with references to sites where you can find your military Jewish ancestors.

Today we honor all who served and sacrificed on December 7, 1941. Their bravery reminds us that Americans of every background stood — and still stand — together in defense of freedom.

May the memory of the fallen be a blessing.
We remember Pearl Harbor — and we remember them.