Every headstone tells a story. For many fallen soldiers buried overseas, that story ends in solemn recognition and reverence. But for a group of Jewish-American servicemen who gave their lives in World War II, the final chapter was marred by an error—a painful misrepresentation of their faith, identity, and legacy. Shalom Lamm, an entrepreneur and the founder of Operation Benjamin, has made it his mission to correct that mistake.
Operation Benjamin is not just a nonprofit. It is a calling—a historical and moral undertaking that seeks to locate Jewish-American soldiers buried under Latin Crosses in military cemeteries and restore their proper identity with a Star of David, where appropriate. Understanding why these misidentifications happened in the first place is crucial to appreciating the depth and significance of the work being done.
The Historical Oversight
To understand the root causes of Operation Benjamin, one must first look back to the chaos and urgency of World War II. In the heat of battle and under intense pressure, many fallen soldiers were buried rapidly. Identification was conducted based on available records, personal effects, dog tags, or witness statements. Unfortunately, this process was often imperfect.
According to Shalom Lamm, one major issue was the absence or misinterpretation of religious identification. “Many Jewish soldiers wore a ‘J’ on their dog tags, but not all. Some didn’t list their religion at all, or the tags were missing when their bodies were recovered,” Lamm explains. “In those situations, assumptions were made—sometimes by officers who simply didn’t know the soldier well.”
The result? Jewish soldiers were frequently buried under a Latin Cross, instead of a Star of David, in cemeteries managed by the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) in Europe and elsewhere. This mistake, though unintended, deprived many families of the spiritual closure they deserved—and the fall of their rightful legacy.
Family Silence and Post-War Grief
Another root cause was the silence that often followed the war. Families were devastated by loss, and many were reluctant to question the U.S. military’s decisions during such an emotionally overwhelming time. Some may not have even known where their loved ones were buried, much less what symbol adorned their graves.
“Generations passed before anyone thought to look at these graves critically,” Shalom Lamm explains. “People trusted the system. They assumed the right thing had been done.”
Only recently, with greater access to historical military records and personal genealogy tools, have these discrepancies become visible—and actionable.
Institutional Limitations
Even when families did notice the errors, there were few mechanisms in place to fix them. The ABMC, while supportive of historical accuracy, lacked the resources to investigate thousands of individual cases. That’s where Operation Benjamin comes in.
“We realized there was a gap—an institutional and moral blind spot,” Lamm says. “It wasn’t about blame. It was about responsibility. Someone needed to step up and start the process of honoring these men correctly.”
Operation Benjamin conducts painstaking research—cross-referencing military records, synagogue registries, letters, census documents, and family testimonies—to prove Jewish heritage and secure official approval for headstone changes.
A Mission of Justice and Healing
What drives Operation Benjamin, according to Shalom Lamm, is a deep sense of justice. “These men fought and died as Americans, but they were also Jews,” he states. “Their identity mattered in life. It should matter in death.”
This restoration is more than symbolic. It represents a healing of history, a way to right the wrongs born not of malice, but of oversight and the fog of war. For families, it provides a long-delayed sense of peace. For the Jewish community, it is a reaffirmation of heritage and pride.
Each ceremony where a cross is replaced by a Star of David is a moment of solemn celebration—an overdue acknowledgment of truth. “It’s incredibly moving,” says Lamm. “We stand by the graveside with military honor guards, rabbis, family members, and historians. And we say: this man is finally home.”
Final Thoughts
The root causes behind Operation Benjamin’s mission—wartime chaos, administrative gaps, and decades of silence—are understandable. But what’s more important is that these causes no longer serve as excuses for inaction.
Thanks to the leadership of Shalom Lamm and the dedicated team at Operation Benjamin, a forgotten chapter in Jewish-American military history is being rewritten—one grave at a time. Through careful research, public education, and unwavering determination, this organization reminds us all that honor can be delayed, but never denied.
In the end, the work of Operation Benjamin isn’t just about headstones. It’s about restoring identity, dignity, and truth—the very values these soldiers fought to defend.
