Jewish-American Soldier Finally Honored with Correct Headstone

Intermediate Level | May 9, 2025

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A Long-Overdue Change

A Jewish-American soldier who died in World War II has finally been honored with the correct headstone. For more than 75 years, his grave had a Christian cross. But thanks to new research, the mistake has now been corrected.

The U.S. Army private, Pfc. Bernard Kaltman, was buried in the Ardennes American Cemetery in Belgium after he died in 1944. His grave was marked with a Latin cross, even though he was Jewish.

Correcting the Record

Researchers and volunteers worked with the U.S. government to fix the mistake. In April 2025, a new headstone with the Star of David was placed at his grave. His family said they are grateful that Bernard is finally getting the proper recognition.

According to CBS News, the change was part of a larger effort to correctly honor Jewish soldiers who were mistakenly given Christian symbols.

Why It Matters

Grave markers are not just stone—they tell a story. Having the correct symbol respects the soldier’s religion, identity, and sacrifice. For many families, it brings a sense of peace and justice after years of waiting.

More than 550 Jewish-American soldiers are believed to be buried under crosses due to errors in records or field decisions during the war. Now, families and history groups are working to find and correct those mistakes.

A Step Toward Healing

The correction of Bernard Kaltman’s headstone is more than a change in stone. It’s a symbol of respect and remembrance. As more stories like his come to light, the U.S. continues to honor its promise to remember every fallen hero correctly.

Vocabulary

Headstone (noun): A stone that marks a person’s grave.
- Example: The correct symbol was placed on the Soldier’s headstone.
Grave (noun): A place where someone is buried.
- Example: His grave is in a military cemetery in Belgium.
Symbol (noun): A sign or shape that represents something.
- Example: The Star of David is a Jewish symbol.
Mistake (noun): Something that is wrong or incorrect.
- Example: The grave marker had a mistake.
Volunteer (noun): An unpaid worker doing a job.
- Example: Volunteers helped find the soldiers’ records.
Recognition (noun): Respect or honor given to someone.
- Example: The family was thankful for the recognition.
Effort (noun): Hard work to do something.
- Example: The correction was part of a larger effort.
Sacrifice (noun): Giving up something for a greater good.
- Example: The soldier’s sacrifice is now remembered correctly.
Identity (noun): Who someone is, including religion or culture.
- Example: The correct marker honors his identity.
Peace (noun): A feeling of calm or resolution
- Example: The new headstone gave the family peace.

Discussion Questions (About the Article)

What was the mistake made with Bernard Kaltman’s headstone?
Why is the correction important to his family?
Who helped to make this change possible?
How many other Jewish soldiers might have incorrect markers?
What does this correction symbolize for others?

Discussion Questions (About the Topic)

Why do you think symbols like headstones matter so much to families?
What can be done to prevent mistakes like this in the future?
How can we honor people from all backgrounds fairly?
Have you ever visited a war memorial? What was it like?
Why is it important to keep learning about stories from the past?

Related Idiom

“Set the record straight”
Meaning: To correct a mistake or misunderstanding.
Example: The new headstone helps set the record straight about the soldier’s identity.

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