Jewish War Veterans Honored at American Legion Convention

An interesting fact was brought to light when Governor Frank G. Allen yesterday received Thomas Medbar of Sugar City, Idaho, a World War veteran who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor and who is attending the American Legion convention here. Although he himself is of the Mormon faith, Mr. Medbar might be listed as a person of Jewish extraction, since he admits that his grandfather was a rabbi.

The Governor of Massachusetts also received yesterday Captain Sidney Gumpertz of New York City and Sergeant Benjamin Kauffman of Trenton, N. J., the only two Jewish World War veterans living at present who were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, the records listing only three Jews of the 78 who were so honored; two living and one dead. After receiving them, the Governor presented Gumpertz and Kauffman with State medallions and souvenir histories of the State, published in connection with the Tercentenary. At special summons from the Mayor, they left the State House and were received by Mayor Curley, who presented each one with medals and the famous Washington Elm tree canes.

Thousands of spectators during the Legion parade held here during the week of the American Legion convention watched a uniformed, medal-be-decked World War veteran acknowledge for the Boston City Council the salute of the marching Legionaires. Herman L. Bush, City Councillor, who saw considerable action with the machine gun battalion of the 26th Division and was severely wounded several times, was delegated by the President of the Council to take the salute.

Bush is the only Jew in Boston to wear the distinguished service medal. It is the first time in the history of the City Council that a Jewish soldier was so honored. In his Legion uniform, upon which were pinned the distinguished service cross, the French croix de guerre, the insignia of service at the Mexican border and the service ribbon with its bars indicating the World War engagements in which he participated, Bush attracted considerable attention from the visiting Legionaires.