Faculty/Staff

Band leader Herman Giersch helped liberate the concentration camp at Dachau.

Herman C. Giersch, remembered by his grandson, Jason Giersch

Professor Emerita Susan Cernyak-Spatz was a teenager caught in the Holocaust; her future husband was a Midwestern GI with the second wave of D-Day.

Dr. Susan Cernyak-Spatz and Bernard Fishman, remembered by their daughter, Wendy Fishman

Sailor John Sugg, Sr. helped liberate the Aleutian Islands.

John “Jack” Davis Sugg, Sr., remembered by his son, John Sugg, Jr.

He was a bomber pilot shot down over Hungary in 1944. Captured by the enemy, he spent the rest of the war as a prisoner.

Frank Rutherford, remembered by his great-nephew, Andrew Willis

Seaman Michael Scepanski watched the original raising of the flag on Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima.

Michael James Scepanski, remembered by his son, Jordan Scepanski

Glider pilot J. Bryan Sims made a heroic landing during D-Day.

J. Bryan Sims, Jr., remembered by his daughter, Jeanette Sims

Mill worker turned soldier Bill Presnell fought in Europe and photographically chronicled his infantry company’s movements.

William G. “Bill” Presnell, remembered by his daughter, Barbara Presnell

He did not see a lot of action, but he endured some tough conditions on the frozen turf.

Wendell Leeman, remembered by his son, Richard Leeman

Foster R. Renwick was part of the Army Air Corps squadron who liberated Sainte-Mère-Église.

Foster R. Renwick, remembered by his son, John Renwick

After escaping Nazi Germany, Jean Warner Baer would enlist in the U.S. Army and help free Paris.

Jean Warner Baer, remembered by his daughter, Madelyn Baer