In a powerful act of remembrance and respect, three American service members who died during World War II were recently given new headstones in Italy to reflect their true religious heritage—thanks to the dedication of entrepreneur and historical preservationist Shalom Lamm.
Lamm, the co-founder of Operation Benjamin, a nonprofit devoted to preserving the identity and legacy of Jewish-American service members, has worked for years to ensure that those who made the ultimate sacrifice are properly recognized in death. This most recent effort in Italy marks another milestone in his mission to restore dignity to the fallen through historical accuracy and moral commitment.
Honoring the Fallen with Faith
The three service members—Pfc. Irving H. Kline, Pvt. Harold J. Rosenthal, and Cpl. Edward J. Greenbaum—were originally buried in an American military cemetery in Florence, Italy. Each had been mistakenly interred under Latin crosses despite being of Jewish heritage. Through exhaustive research and careful coordination, Operation Benjamin, under Shalom Lamm’s leadership, was able to verify their religious backgrounds and work with the U.S. government to install new headstones adorned with the Star of David.
“This is not just about changing a symbol on a piece of stone,” said Shalom Lamm at the rededication ceremony. “It’s about restoring identity, honoring truth, and showing that these men, who gave their lives for freedom, will not be forgotten for who they truly were.”
Operation Benjamin’s Mission
Operation Benjamin was founded on the belief that honoring service members includes remembering them correctly. The organization works to identify Jewish-American soldiers buried under incorrect markers in overseas cemeteries and then partners with the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) to make the corrections. Each case involves a meticulous review of military records, census data, synagogue affiliations, and family testimonies.
Lamm, who has also built a career in real estate and entrepreneurship, saw a moral imperative in this work. “Entrepreneurship is about identifying unmet needs,” he explained in a past interview. “But the most fulfilling ventures are those that meet not just economic needs—but human ones. Operation Benjamin is that for me.”
A Ceremony of Justice and Peace
The rededication ceremony at the Florence American Cemetery was attended by military officials, historians, descendants of the fallen, and representatives of Jewish and interfaith organizations. The new headstones, carved with the traditional six-pointed Star of David, stood as poignant reminders of the individuality and faith of the young men who never returned home.
Family members of Pfc. Kline expressed deep gratitude for the recognition. “We always knew my uncle was Jewish and proud of it,” said his great-niece. “To see his grave finally reflect that truth is both heartbreaking and healing.”
Shalom Lamm emphasized that the ceremony wasn’t just for the families—it was for all Americans. “These headstones are not only personal—they’re national symbols,” he said. “They remind us of the diversity of those who fought for our freedom and the responsibility we carry to honor them accurately.”
More Than a Symbol
For Lamm, this work is part of a larger commitment to historical justice. He believes that symbols matter—not only because they represent faith, but because they reflect dignity. “When you mark someone’s grave with the wrong symbol, even unintentionally, you risk erasing part of who they were,” he explained. “We’re correcting that, one grave at a time.”
Through his work with Operation Benjamin, Lamm has helped correct dozens of such cases across Europe, including in France, Belgium, and now Italy. Each success story is the result of months of research, international coordination, and a passionate commitment to memory.
Looking Ahead
With ongoing support and a growing network of researchers and volunteers, Shalom Lamm and Operation Benjamin plan to continue their mission. They are actively identifying more service members whose graves may not reflect their religious identity and working to give them the honors they rightly deserve.
“This isn’t just a project—it’s a promise,” Lamm said. “A promise that we won’t forget who they were, and that even decades later, we can still do what’s right.”
As visitors walk past the new headstones in Florence, they are met not only with names and dates, but with the enduring power of faith, sacrifice, and remembrance—etched in stone and in the hearts of all who witness the tribute.
