Harry L. Ettlinger facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Harry L. Ettlinger
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Ettlinger in 2007
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| Born |
Heinz Ludwig Chaim Ettlinger
January 28, 1926 |
| Died | October 21, 2018 (aged 92) Trenton, New Jersey, U.S.
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| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Engineer |
Harry L. Ettlinger (born Heinz Ludwig Chaim Ettlinger, January 28, 1926 – October 21, 2018) was an American engineer. He was also a very important member of a special group called the Monuments Men. These brave people worked to save valuable art and historical treasures during and after World War II.
On October 22, 2015, Harry Ettlinger and another Monuments Man, Richard Barancik, received a very high honor. They were given the Congressional Gold Medal. This award is one of the highest honors a civilian can get in the United States. It recognized their amazing work in protecting the world's cultural heritage. Ettlinger passed away on October 21, 2018, in Trenton, New Jersey, when he was 92 years old.
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Harry L. Ettlinger: A Hero Who Saved Art
Harry L. Ettlinger's life story is truly inspiring. He was part of a unique group of people who risked their lives. Their mission was to protect and find art and historical items stolen during World War II.
Early Life and Moving to America
Harry Ettlinger was born in Karlsruhe, Germany, on January 28, 1926. His family was Jewish. During the 1930s, a terrible time began in Germany. The Nazi party, led by Adolf Hitler, came to power. They persecuted Jewish people and started World War II.
Because of this danger, Harry's family had to leave their home. They moved to the United States in 1938. Harry was just 12 years old when they arrived in America. They settled in Newark, New Jersey.
Joining the U.S. Army
When Harry grew up, he joined the United States Army. This was during World War II. He was sent back to Germany, the country he had left as a child. Because he spoke German, he was very helpful to the American forces.
His language skills led him to a very special assignment. He became part of the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives program. This group was known as the "Monuments Men."
The Important Work of the Monuments Men
The Monuments Men were a small group of about 345 men and women. They were art experts, museum directors, historians, and architects. Their job was to protect cultural treasures during the war.
During World War II, many valuable artworks and historical buildings were in danger. Some were destroyed by bombs. Others were stolen by the Nazis. The Monuments Men worked to prevent more damage. They also searched for and returned stolen art to its rightful owners.
Harry Ettlinger's role was very important. He helped identify and recover many pieces of art. He worked in dangerous areas, often near the front lines of the war. Their efforts saved countless masterpieces from being lost forever.
A Legacy of Protecting Culture
After the war, Harry Ettlinger became an engineer. He continued to live in the United States. However, his work as a Monuments Man was not forgotten.
In 2015, the U.S. Congress decided to honor the Monuments Men. They were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. This was a huge recognition for their bravery and dedication. Harry Ettlinger was one of the few surviving Monuments Men to receive this award in person.
His story reminds us how important it is to protect art and history. These treasures tell us about our past and help us understand different cultures. Harry Ettlinger and the other Monuments Men made sure these stories could continue to be told.
