Statistics on American Jews in World War II

• During the course of World War II, 550,000 men and women of Jewish faith served in every branch of the armed forces of the United States.
• Twenty-two Jews attained senior rank in the armed forces — 18 were generals, 6 were major generals, 12 were brigadier generals,1 was vice admiral, 2 were rear admirals, and 1 was a commodore.
• The total number of Jewish war casualties was 38,338, 11,000 Jews were killed, 7,000 in combat.
• Approximately 26,000 Jewish men and women in uniform received citations for valor and merit. The number of awards totaled 49,315, including 3 Congressional Medals of Honor (Ben Salomon, Isadore S. Jachman, and Raymond Zussman), 66 Distinguished Service Crosses, 28 Navy Crosses, 41 Distinguished Service Medals, 244 Legions of Merit, 1,434 Silver Stars, 2,047 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 191 Soldier's Medals, 28 Navy and Marine Corps Medals, 4,641 Bronze Star Medals, 13,212 Air Medals and 14,550 Purple Hearts.

Source: Bureau of War Records cited in AJHS Newsletter (Fall/Winter 2003)