WWII 1st Lt. Nathan B. Baskind laid to rest at Normandy American Cemetery with full military honors
Jewish-American U.S. Army 1st Lt. Nathan B. Baskind was laid to rest with full military honors at Normandy American Cemetery, France, today, 80 years after his death during World War II.
In June 1944, Baskind was
assigned to Company C, 899th Tank Destroyer Battalion, as a platoon
commander of four M-10 tank destroyers. Baskind landed on Utah Beach on
D-Day and lost his life in the Battle of Cherbourg 17 days later, on
June 23, 1944.
“Today is unique not just because we are burying and honoring an
American soldier. Eighty years after 1st Lt. Baskind gave his last
measure of devotion, here in Normandy... this ceremony is the statement
of the very best American values, and human values.” said ABMC Secretary
Charles K. Djou.
Baskind was laid to rest with military honors with family, friends, and
U.S. and local officials in attendance. U.S. Consulate for Western
France Elizabeth Webster, ABMC Secretary Charles K. Djou, Volksbund
Secretary General Dirk Backen, Deputy Commanding General for
Interoperability Brig. Gen. Kareem Montague, Operation Benjamin
President Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter, and Operation Benjamin Chief
Historian Shalom Lamm provided remarks to honor the memory and sacrifice
of Baskind. The great-niece of Baskind, Dr. Samantha Baskind, offered
family reflections before Jewish prayers were pronounced.
“Nate's ambition was to be a successful businessman and his favorite
remark was 'As I live and breathe,' shared Dr. Samantha Baskind,
great-niece of Baskind. Today he will really be at rest in France.
Today, a giant scar in my family will be at least partially healed.
The ceremony concluded in the Garden of the Missing, where the name of
Baskind has been memorialized since the aftermath of World War II to
provide a place of mourning and remembrance to his family members.
Eighty years after her great-uncle’s death, Dr. Samantha Baskind placed a
bronze rosette next to his name to indicate that he is no longer
missing.
“It
is our mission to care for those individuals who gave their lives in
service to our nation, no matter how many years have passed since they
made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Scott Desjardins, Normandy American
Cemetery superintendent. “It will be our honor to take care of 1st Lt.
Baskind's grave and our mission to share his story from now on.”
Thanks to the collaboration of Operation Benjamin, the Volksbund, and the support of U.S. Army Europe and Africa units,
this burial ceremony was a solemn moment to commemorate the sacrifice
of 1st Lt. Nathan B. Baskind and a reminder of Gen. John J. Pershing’s
promise that “time will not dim the glory of their deeds.”
Baskind now rests plot A, row 14, grave 45, at Normandy American Cemetery, France.
1st Lt. Nathan B. Baskind's headstone at Normandy American Cemetery, France
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