United States of America: Second World War United State Army Died in the Service of his Country Certificate, as awarded in the memory of Second Lieutenant Arthur J. Grossman, 86th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th United States Armoured Division, who was killed in action in Brittany on 4 August 1944. A Jewish serviceman, the son of Jewish Russian immigrants, he was awarded both the Silver Star Medal and the Purple Heart Medal.
United States of America: Second World War United State Army Died in the Service of his Country Certificate, officially issued in the name of: ‘Second Lieutenant Arthur J. Grossman,A.S.No. O-1031609’ who gave his life ‘in the European Area, August 4, 1944.’ Bearing Presidential Seal and the facsimile signature of the then President, Franklin D Roosevelt. This of large format, and framed and glazed.
Condition: Good Condition.
Arthur Joseph Grossman was born one 19 March 1918 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the third of five children of Frank and Sarah Grossma, who were Jewish Russian immigrants to the United States in 1910. His mother’s maiden name was Shimon. Arthur went on to study economics at the University of Wisconsin, and was a member of the Phi Epsilon Pi fraternity. He was registered for the draft on 16 October 1940, having been up to then working for the family firm of Grossman Brothers Co.
Grossman then enlisted into the United States Army at Milwaukee on 4 August 1941 (Service No.36217373), and then received a commission as a Second Lieutenant (Service No.O-1031609) and saw service overseas from January 1943. He went on to see service during the Allied invasion of Normandy and the advance into Brittany, with the 86th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th United States Armoured Division. He was killed in action on 4 August 1944.
His Jewish Chaplain, Kent N. Dale wrote home to his parents in December 1944, and stated that Grossman was “truly respected and loved by all - both officers and men - for his remarkable personality and character… He died bravely and courageously - ‘he died that we might live’”. Grossman is buried in Brittany American Cemetery, Montjoie Saint Martin, France. He was awarded both the Silver Star Medal and the Purple Heart.
