Jewish West Point

Photo Credit: Tommy Gilligan, Pointer View Assistant Editor

Photo Credit: Tommy Gilligan, Pointer View Assistant Editor

In the Jerusalem Post’s travel section (of all places) there is an interesting article about the Jewish experience of visiting The United States Military Academy at West Point. The article intends to highlight the benefits of getting off the beaten path while in New York and checking out some of the lesser known sights like West Point. The great part is that the author points out a trove of Jewish tradition at the academy and how this would be of interest to a Jewish tourist.

The Jewish connection to the US Military Academy has existed pretty much throughout the institution’s history. Half of the first class at West Point in 1802 was Jewish. True! (There were only two men in the class, and one of them was Simon M. Levy, who is reputed to have fought at the battle of Maumee Rapids, Ohio, in the American war with the British in 1812.)

Indeed, the only West Pointer ever buried in the Academy cemetery having been killed fighting under a foreign flag was US Army Colonel David “Mickey” Marcus. He was also known as Israeli General “Michael Stone,” the cover name under which he trained and led Jewish troops in the Jerusalem sector of Israel’s War of Independence. He graduated from West Point in 1924. During World War II, Marcus served in the Pacific and on the staff of Gen. George C. Marshall landed in Normandy in 1944, with US Airborne troops.

He goes on to talk about the Jewish chapel and touches on the current state of Jewish affairs at the academy. It’s a great guide for anyone considering a visit to the area, or even anyone interested in over a century of Jewish life there. Read the full article over at the Jerusalem Post.

One comment

  • Loved this! Provided a copy to a former West Point Superintendent…