Abraham Krotoshinsky

Abraham Krotoshinsky (1892–1953) was a United States Army soldier who received the Distinguished Service Cross in recognition of his actions as part of The Lost Battalion.^[1]

Early life

He was born in Plotsk, Poland, a son of Wolf Krotoshinsky, then part of the Russian Empire. He came to New York in 1912, in order to escape service in the Russian Army. He initially worked as a barber "I ran away from Russia and came to America to escape military service. I hated Russia, its people, its government, in particular its cruel and inhuman treatment of Jews. Such a Government I refused to serve.^[2] "

War Service

Krotoshinsky undertook initial training at Camp Upton, where he enjoyed his time in the Army. Shortly after his arrival in France, the 77th division was sent to relieve the 42nd Infantry Division in the Lorraine, where the German Army sent up a welcome balloon which said "Goodbye, Forty-Second! Hello, Seventy-Seventh!.^[3] Shortly thereafter, the 77th was moved to near Chateau Thierry, where it would part of the drive against Germany. Krotoshinsky passed a message, which led him to help rescue the trapped company. During this trip, he played dead and his hand was stepped on by a German officer. After the action he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross by General Pershing.

After the War

Krotoshinsky, with the help of Nathan Strauss, emigrated to Palestine, but found that he did not have the capital to farm successfully. He described himself as a Zionist. After his return to the United States, he was in some difficulty, but was eventually given a job with the United States Postal Service as the result of an executive order from President Calvin Coolidge in 1927, where he served at the 221 East Thirty-Fourth Street Post-office, until his death on 4 November 1953, aged 60. He was survived by three daughters, Mrs. Abigail Krotoshinsky (née Arkin), a foster daughter and a brother, Joseph. He currently has many descendants.^[4][5]

Popular culture

He was portrayed by Arthur Kremer in the 2001 production of The Lost Battalion.^[6]

References