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name
ATTAS, Nissim - Date of
birth
1925 -
Age
unknown - Place of
birth
New York City, New York -
Hometown
Manhattan, New York County, New York City, New York -
Religion
Jewish
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
32964732 -
Rank
Private -
Function
unknown -
Unit
C Battery,
230th Field Artillery Battalion,
30th Infantry Division
-
Awards
Silver Star,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Died of Wounds - Date of
death
23 January 1945 - Place of
death
In the vicinity of Sankt-Vith, Belgium
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 13 | 28 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Haim Attas (father)
Stella (Stamoula) Attas (mother)
Joseph Attas (brother)
Morris Attas (brother)
Sarah Attas (sister)
More information
Pvt Nissim Attas enlisted in New York City, New York on 2 June 1943.He was born into a Romaniote (Greek Jewish) family and lived with his parents, siblings and Nona (grandmother) in New York City.
Pvt Attas loved playing the harmonica. He tried several times to join the military only to be denied because of his height. However, his desire and enthusiasm to serve made him try one more attempt and this time he stood on his tip toes.
He wrote a letter to his brother Morris dated 4 January 1945, from "somewhere in Belgium". He concludes it with these words, "I know one thing Morris. They can have all the medals, purple hearts and everything else. All I want to know is that I'm coming home safely when this lousy war is over."
He was awarded the Silver Star Medal postumously for his action on 21 January 1945. The citation reads: Pvt Attas was operating a switchboard, while the area he was in was being shelled by heavy enemy artillery fire. In spite of the heavy shelling he remained at his post to keep vital lines of communications open, without regard for his own personal safety. He was wounded in the chest with shrapnel and evacuated.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, Rose Attas-Ferrari, www.memorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Jewish Servicemen Card, www.oldhickory30th.com
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Rose Attas-Ferrari (niece), Jo Engels