House passes bill to replace crosses with Stars of David on Jewish veterans graves

Currently, families seeking to replace grave markers must present the commission with evidence of their relative’s religious heritage and formally request changes.

By Jewish Breaking News

House lawmakers have approved a bill to correct a century-old injustice affecting hundreds of Jewish American soldiers whose graves in overseas military cemeteries are marked with crosses instead of Stars of David.

The Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act passed by voice vote Monday and now moves to the Senate for consideration.

The bipartisan legislation was sponsored by Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) and Rep. Max Miller (R-OH).

Due to the sheer scale of burials that occurred during World Wars I and II, hundreds of American-Jewish servicemembers killed in action were improperly buried under Latin Cross grave markers, rather than Stars of David. It is estimated that as many as 900 remain that way today.

The American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) oversees 26 military cemeteries containing 124,000 fallen soldiers across 17 countries, including France, the United Kingdom, the Philippines, Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.

Currently, families seeking to replace grave markers must present the commission with evidence of their relative’s religious heritage and formally request changes.

Without dedicated resources, this process proves difficult for families attempting to document their ancestor’s faith decades after death.

Under the bill’s provisions, the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) will establish a 10-year program contracting with nonprofit organizations to identify Jewish servicemembers buried under incorrect markers.

Congress would provide $500,000 annually for five years to fund the research efforts.

“This bill is an important step to allow for research necessary to correct these errors,” said Wasserman Schultz.

“This will make it possible for these brave Jewish servicemembers’ descendants to know that their loved one’s military service, life and religious heritage are properly honored.”

Operation Benjamin, a New York-based nonprofit that works with the commission to preserve the memory of fallen Jewish American soldiers, praised the new bill in a statement, saying: “This vote represents more than funding. It is a recognition that the sacred duty of remembrance belongs to the entire nation.”