Uncovering the Legacy of 1st Lt. Nathan Baskind: From Missing to Honored Veteran

After 80 years, U.S. 1st Lieutenant Nathan Baskind, a Jewish American officer from Pittsburgh, was laid to rest alongside his comrades in the Normandy American Cemetery in France. Baskind had been considered missing after participating in the D-Day landings on Utah Beach with the 899th Tank Destroyer Battalion.

In the Battle of Cherbourg on June 23, 1944, Baskind was ambushed, shot, and taken prisoner by German forces. Records showed he was treated at a Luftwaffe field hospital, but he succumbed to his wounds and was buried in a mass grave along with Nazi soldiers. His remains were later relocated to the German War Graves Cemetery in Marigny.

Through perseverance and modern DNA technology, Baskind’s fate unfolded. Initially, attempts by the American Grave Registration Service to identify Baskind’s remains did not succeed, despite recovering his unit patch, lieutenant’s bars, and dog tag.

Operation Benjamin, dedicated to correcting the headstones of Jewish American soldiers, played a crucial role in uncovering Baskind’s story. The organization’s investigation found he had been missing for nearly 79 years.

Upon discovering the connection, Operation Benjamin sought out Baskind’s great-niece, Samantha Baskind. Her involvement helped re-open the case. Gathering approvals from the United States, Germany, and France, Operation Benjamin moved forward on exhuming the grave.

“How can you say no to that?” commented Brigadier General Dirk Backen of the German War Graves Commission, upon seeing a video of Samantha Baskind requesting assistance.

A team of experts and volunteers spent three days examining the bones. Thanks to Baskind’s distinct height, they identified remains that matched Baskind with high accuracy. Extensive DNA analysis verified his identity.

Baskind’s remains were finally re-interred with military honors under a Star of David on June 23, 2024, the 80th anniversary of his death. Samantha Baskind emphasized the pride and closure this brought, noting her family’s sense of relief after decades of uncertainty.

Backen reflected on personal connections to the story, recounting the proximity of his own great-uncle’s death during the same period.

Shalom Lamm from Operation Benjamin highlighted the sacrifices made by servicemembers like Baskind in defending freedoms. He stressed the importance of such stories in understanding the costs of war.

Echoing this sentiment, Samantha Baskind underscored the contributions of Jewish Americans to the U.S. military, challenging stereotypes by noting her great-uncle’s ultimate sacrifice.