Jewish-American soldiers didn’t just fight Nazis in WWII — they endured anti-Semitism

Jewish Telegraphic Agency ^ | April 5, 2018 11:56am | Curt Schleier

[PA Engineer]

GI Jews: Jewish Americans in World War II” begins as many Holocaust documentaries do, with a history of the rise of Hitler and Nazism in Germany mixed with what is now standard archival footage of Brownshirts and Kristallnacht. Throw in interviews with some Jewish celebrities — in this case, Carl Reiner and his friend Mel Brooks wearing his old Army jacket — and it has all the workings of a typical PBS documentary.

But the film, which premieres April 11, on the eve of Holocaust Remembrance Day, quickly takes an unexpected turn. Jewish-American soldiers, the viewer learns, weren’t only fighting Nazis during the war — they had to battle the anti-Semitic prejudice of many of their fellow soldiers.

All told, some 550,000 Jews served in World War II. A few had experienced anti-Semitism at home already in the form of “Gentiles Only” signs, for example, which were found at some public facilities across the country.

[Inyo-Mono]

Back in the early 1960s, I saw “White only” and “Colored only” signs on drinking fountains and bathrooms but never “Gentiles Only” signs. New one for me.

[Telepathic Intruder]

"A few had experienced anti-Semitism"

And? I'll bet it's a lot fewer in the U.S. than it was in Germany.

[cherry]

total BS....people like my father gave up their last year of HS to sneak into the military to rescue Jews among others....

he never got reparations, or $20,000, or PTSD pension for life, nor much of anything else....

he ended his childhood to save the world and I could care less if somebody 70 yrs later claims they had hurt feelings during the big war....

I'm sure any GI alive could tell stories about "hurt feelings"...the blood, the guts, the missing limbs, the dying...

[originalbuckeye]

Yep. My dad was 22 when he was shot down in the European Theater and spent the last year of the war as a POW in Germany. Our Greatest Generation had much more mettle that many in our successive generations.

[The_Media_never_lie]

Leftists must always seek to blame Americans for almost everything.

[PA Engineer]

It was present in the 60’s in Western PA. A couple of “Country Clubs” come to mind. I experienced it from teachers in elementary school too.

[alexander_busek]

Back in the early 1960s, I saw “White only” and “Colored only” signs on drinking fountains and bathrooms but never “Gentiles Only” signs. New one for me.

Are you suggesting that it wasn't the case? Because I doubt that, in the 1960s, you had visited every public accommodation in existence in the U.S.

Regards,

[PA Engineer]

You are in denial. It was real.

My Father mentioned it. A silver and three bronze stars as a combat engineer in the Ardennes and Rhein campaigns.

Why the violent reaction to history? It is what it is.

[Perseverando]

I have been saddened and disgusted by the amount of antisemitism I see in the comments section of Zero Hedge. It makes me wonder if they are neo-Nazis or Muslims posting on their board. What idiots!!

[wmileo]

While I respect anyone who served his country during wartime, singling out Jews is both misleading and divisive. What about the Italian American Soldiers like my Dad for instance who were told by other soldiers during their service in Italy that

" Them are your Dago cousins we are fighting"

We can also talk about African Americans and Native Americans who were discriminated against yet served valiantly during wartime.

[PA Engineer]

While I respect anyone who served his country during wartime, singling out Jews is both misleading and divisive.

Why do you feel this part of history should be erased?

[PA Engineer]

Agreed. GAB also prides itself on free speech and is loaded with the same. We live in interesting times.

[Fiji Hill]

Back in the early 1960s, I saw “White only” and “Colored only” signs on drinking fountains and bathrooms but never “Gentiles Only” signs. New one for me.

I, too, have never heard of such a thing, and I have my doubts. Reminds me of when an Irish-American radio and TV pundit claimed that his father saw "no Irish need apply" signs in the mid-twentieth century. Pure blarney.

[wmileo]

What Crap!!!

Where did I or anyone else on this thread say that the contributions of any ethnic group of Americans experiencing prejudice or bigotry should be erased?

P.S. I am neither a NAZI or antisemitic Muslim. While I am a retired Engineer who happens to live in the state of Pennsylvania, I sincerely hope that is the only thing I have in common with the likes of you.

[WisconsinRep]

So we’re now gonna attack the American soldiers who defeated the Nazis by calling them anti-Semites?

Germany was destroyed. What more to you want?

[PA Engineer]

Why are you so defensive? I believe you said “misleading and divisive.” That is loaded with feeling. Why the emotional response?

[PA Engineer]

So we’re now gonna attack the American soldiers who defeated the Nazis by calling them anti-Semites?

Germany was destroyed. What more to you want?

Is that what I said? Who is attacking the American soldiers? Remember 500,000 were Jewish? Why do you feel this includes all the American soldiers that served?

What more to you want?

What do you want history to be?

[wmileo]

'“misleading and divisive.” That is loaded with feeling. Why the emotional response?'

There are many Americans of various experiences and backgrounds who have suffered discrimination and also served this country during wartime. Singling out one particular group over the others in this day and age is a misrepresentation and distortion of American History. It is also not the way wars are fought according to my Father and Uncles who actually served in WWII.

There is very little 'feeling' in my 'emotional response'. I just think that your position, especially the accusation that I or anyone else has the desire, ability or predisposition to "erase history" demonstrates that you're not to be taken seriously.

[Teacher317]

"Juden. Juuuuuuuden."