Exhibit Pays Tribute to Jewish American Medal of Honor Recipients
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Tom Johnson co-hosted on Feb. 7, 2005 the unveiling of an
exhibit that traces the military contributions of Jewish Americans from the Civil War to Vietnam and is
dedicated to the 17 Jewish American recipients of our nation’s highest military award, the Medal of
Honor.
“I was honored to meet Vietnam veteran Col. Jack Jacobs, U.S. Army (Retired), who is
the only living Jewish American Medal of Honor recipient,” says Johnson.
“The heroism this man demonstrated is both humbling and inspiring for he has
demonstrated what Americans are capable of doing when called upon to defend our country.”
The California State Military Museum and Resource Center created the new exhibit as
part of the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the Nazi’s notorious World War II death
camp in Poland, where an estimated 1.5 million people perished.
The Congressional Medal of Honor Society supports the aims and goals of the museum,
according to Brig. Gen. Donald Mattson, museum director, who invites the community to visit the newly
renovated facility to learn more about the cost of freedom and the men and women from California who
paid the price.
“Elevated to official status as the military museum of the state of California with
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s approval of AB 1939, authored by Assemblyman Dave Cox, the museum ensures
that special exhibits, such as Jewish American Medal of Honor Recipients, recognize our culture and
traditions and the bravery of Americans who have kept us a free nation,” says Mattson.
The museum collects, preserves, and interprets the history and artifacts of the citizens
of the Golden State in all branches of the U.S. armed forces, including the California National Guard.
Located in historic Old Sacramento, the museum maintains and exhibits more than 30,000
artifacts from men and women who served the nation, in displays that tell their personal stories of
military life and combat. More information: (916) 442-2883,
info@militarymuseum.org, www.militarymuseum.org.
The exhibit honoring Jewish American Medal of Honor recipients opened to the public on
Feb. 8, 2005.