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September 17, 2004/Tishri 2 5765, Vol. 57, No. 3
Heroes Among Us
IRA MORTON
Special to Jewish News
If John Kerry is elected to the nation's highest office this November, he will be remembered along with John Fitzgerald Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson as the only U.S. presidents to have been awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action. All three were quick to publicize their war records for political gain. Kerry has made it the centerpiece of his campaign.
This brings to mind two World War II Silver Star winners who enjoyed successful business careers, contributed to society and were active in the Phoenix Jewish Community for half of a century: Hy Eisenstein and Yale Simons.
Neither man will talk about his war experiences unless asked. I've known both since the late 1960s, but didn't learn of their acts of heroism until 1996 when I came across their oral histories in the archives of the Arizona Jewish Historical Society.
Hy Eisenstein's moment of valor took place in the fall of 1943, aboard the U.S.S. Fisk, a destroyer's escort. While on routine convoy duty in the North Atlantic, the ship suddenly came under heavy German air and submarine attack. On the bridge at the time, Eisenstein's job was to relay firing instructions from the commanding officer to the crew.
With heavy aircraft fire directed at the bridge, the captain lost his balance, fell to the deck and was seriously injured. Although Eisenstein only held the rank of ensign, he displayed the courage and presence of mind of a veteran senior officer.
He immediately assumed temporary command and issued firing orders that ultimately warded off the enemy and saved his ship. For this act of valor in the heat of battle, Ensign Hy Eisenstein was awarded the Silver Star.
He was still serving aboard the U.S.S. Fisk when it was blown up and sunk a few months later. Injured, in shock and kept afloat by his life jacket, he spent many hours in icy waters before being rescued. This earned him the Purple Heart.
In 1944 during the Battle of the Bulge, Company H of the Third Armored Division became engaged in fierce combat deep in German territory. The company, commanded by 1st Lt. Yale Simons, had already lost most of its tanks and were now fighting for survival.
It was now more important than ever to get a wide, clear view of the action ahead, but this was almost impossible to accomplish from the restricted confines of a tank. To get a better look, Yale climbed out of his tank and stood alongside. By so doing he exposed himself to enemy machine gun and small arms fire, but it enabled him to transmit more accurate firing orders to his company via radio communication. The enemy was finally held at bay and Company H survived. For his heroism on the field of battle and for a leg wound requiring a long hospitalization, 1st Lt. Yale Simons was awarded the Silver Star and a second Purple Heart.
We rejoice that Eisenstein and Simons still live among us and will forever honor them for their dignity, humility and service to country.
Preserving the memories and recording the accomplishments of those who have come before us and those now in our midst, is the sacred mission of the Arizona Jewish Historical Society and the Cutler—Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center. For information about membership and activities, call 602-241-7870 or visit www.azjhs.org.
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