Cpl. Harry Weber enlisted in the Army during World War II. He served as a typist in the 554th Quartermaster Railhead Company. Though he did not serve on the front line of the battlefields, his actions during the war saved the lives of those around him.
Photograph of Harry and Edith Weber on their wedding day.
Weber was born in New York City on July 11, 1917. Both of his parents were Jewish immigrants from Russia. He completed two years of college before enlisting in the Army in January 1943. He married Edith Chizefsky 10 months later.
During World War II, Weber was stationed on a local farm near Omaha Beach. He quickly befriended the French family that lived on the farm, and ensured that the family had food to eat and that they remained safe.
Near the farm, the German Army had placed traps along the roads to target American soldiers. However, the traps also threatened the local civilian population.
One of the children that lived on the farm with Weber wrote a letter describing how the American soldiers saved his life. The letter tells the story of how Weber disarmed one of the traps before he or another child could trigger them.
A German soldier had placed a grenade inside of a corned beef can. The child brought the trap to the attention of Weber and another soldier, who quickly attempted to safely disarm the trap. After it was successfully disarmed, the trap was later destroyed in a controlled detonation.
The author of the letter states that Weber’s actions that day may have saved his life and taught him important lessons for the rest of the war.
Weber went on to be stationed in England, France, Belgium, Germany, and Austria throughout the war. After leaving the Army, he used the G.I. Bill to earn a degree in library science. He then worked as a librarian.
Grave Marker for Cpl. Harry Weber at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.
Harry and Edith Weber lived a long life together. They retired and moved to Florida in 1984, and remained there for the rest of their lives. Harry Weber died on March 18, 1994. Edith Weber died on May 9, 2009. The two are buried together at Florida National Cemetery.
In 2017, the Veterans Legacy Program partnered with University of Central Florida to conduct research on Veterans interred at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida. Harry and Edith’s story is just one of many that students discovered. You can read their full biography here.
To learn more about the Veterans Legacy Program, visit https://www.cem.va.gov/legacy/
Please join us in honoring the service and legacy of Cpl. Harry Weber, ensuring that his memory never fades.
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In November 2024, VA's National Cemetery Administration (NCA) officially opened new Green Burial sections at three national cemeteries.
Beginning on Nov. 9, 2024, VA will accept applications for payment of a monetary allowance for privately purchased OBRs and for OBRs provided by a grant-funded cemetery, when the OBR is placed at the time of interment. This allowance may be paid for burials that occurred on or after the effective date of the new authority which is Jan. 5, 2023.
With help from VBA and NCA, an administrative correction honored a WWII soldier's service and Jewish identity.
Thank you for taking the time to research and publish this article. Very moving. Ordinary people doing extra-ordinary things.
Great story. A reminder for each of us that our daily and ‘normal’ acts of charity or ‘low level’ courage and compassion for others, can make profound difference in others lives.
An inspirational story, many such are left untold. It takes a common man or woman to take action in unique circumstances to perform heroic deeds. Many of these stories will never be told.