Meet Benjamin Salomon: a dentist turned war hero whose bravery in World War II left a lasting legacy and reshaped history. Join us as we explore the remarkable tale of one of history's toughest individuals: Benjamin Salomon.
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Story and Path
Born on September 1, 1914, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Salomon initially pursued a career in dentistry, graduating from the University of Southern California School of Dentistry in 1937. However, his life took a dramatic turn with the outbreak of World War II.
Despite being exempt from military service due to his profession, Salomon voluntarily enlisted in the U.S. Army in July 1940. He served as an infantryman before transferring to the Army Dental Corps, where he was commissioned as a first lieutenant and assigned as a front-line surgeon.
Salomon's defining moment came during the Battle of Saipan in the Pacific Theater in 1944. On July 7, while stationed at a field hospital, he demonstrated extraordinary courage and disregard for his own safety as he single-handedly defended his wounded comrades against a fierce enemy assault.
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Despite being wounded multiple times, Salomon refused to abandon his post. He continued to treat the wounded and defend the hospital, even using a rifle to repel the enemy when his ammunition ran out. Ultimately, Salomon made the ultimate sacrifice, giving his life to protect his comrades.
Post Battle and Legacy
Days after the fierce battle, a team from the Army returned to the scene only to discover a chilling sight: Benjamin Salomon, still in his valiant stance, had succumbed to his wounds, his body draped over the machine gun with the bodies of 98 enemy troops piled up in front of his position, a testament to his unwavering determination.
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His body had 76 bullet wounds and numerous bayonet strikes, up to 24 inflicted while he was still alive and bravely fought on. Salomon's sacrifice and steadfastness in the face of overwhelming odds remain etched in history as a testament to his unparalleled courage. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions, the highest military decoration in the United States.
Salomon's Medal of Honor citation reads: "With so many wounded to care for, Lt. Salomon could have remained safely in the battalion aid station, but after hearing enemy shelling and spotting enemy infiltrators attempting to overrun the aid station, Lt. Salomon voluntarily ran through a hail of gunfire to help repel the attack. His machine gun was not mounted and he had no assistant gunner, so he mounted his gun on a tripod, braced it against the sandbags, and began firing at the enemy. Almost immediately, enemy soldiers tried to rush his position. During the ensuing hand-to-hand combat, Lt. Salomon realized that his medical supplies would soon be exhausted. Despite being ordered to withdraw, Lt. Salomon stayed at his post to protect his patients. He continued to defend the aid station until he was killed by an enemy grenade."
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In addition to the Medal of Honor, Salomon was also awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal for his valor and sacrifice.
Salomon's story serves as a powerful example of courage, selflessness, and dedication to duty in the face of overwhelming odds. His legacy continues to inspire generations of servicemen and women, as well as civilians, to this day.
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| www.nationalww2museum.org One could easily visualize Ben Salomon, wounded and bleeding, trying to drag that gun a few more feet so that he would have a new field of fire. The blood was on the ground, and the marks plainly indicated how hard it must have been for him, especially in that last move. - Cpt. Edward Love |
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