Published by New Castle News

By Dan Irwin Nov 13, 2024

Nathan Baskind didn’t have a large role in New Castle’s past.

But now, he’s a permanent part of its future.

The 28-year-old first lieutenant was killed in World War II, having left a short stint as manager of the city’s Peerless Wallpaper and Paint store to volunteer for service. Surviving the D-Day invasion, his tank was ambushed two weeks later near Cherbourg, and Baskind’s whereabouts became a mystery for 80 years.

Ultimately, it was learned the son of Abe and Lena Baskind was taken to a German hospital in France where he died and was interred in a mass grave with German soldiers.

Decades later, the Jewish businessman’s remains were at last unearthed and identified, and he was reburied in June beneath a Star of David in the Normandy American Ceremony.

On Sunday, a marker detailing Baskind’s life, death and the search for his remains was unveiled at Tifereth Israel Cemetery, adjacent to an existing memorial that pays tribute to him and seven other Jewish men from New Castle who perished in the Second World War.

The fact Baskind grew up in Pittsburgh and spent only a short time in New Castle made the remembrance even more special for around a dozen family members who braved a chilling, relentless rain to be a part of the moment.

“We’re so impressed and grateful that he was remembered and the town feels he’s a part of your history,” said Stewart Sadowsky, the son of Baskind’s twin sister, Pearl.

“I think this is beautiful,” added Samantha Baskind, Nathan’s great-niece. “We’re very honored.”

THE CEREMONY

The unveiling of the marker and the ceremony were provided through a $5,000 legacy gift from the defunct Temple Hadar Israel. Orchestrated by Samuel Bernstine, the final president of the synagogue, and the New Castle Public Library, which researched Baskind’s background, the ceremony featured presentations to the family that included citations from state legislators and a flag from the New Castle Area Honor Guard.

The honor guard also provided prayer, readings, a rifle salute and the playing of taps, while Mohawk High School juniors Joe Roseck and Max Roseck performed “Highland Cathedral” on the bagpipes and drum.

Art Epstein, former Temple Hadar Israel president, and Barry Rudel, former executive director of the Jewish Cemetery Burial Association, offered traditional prayers to close the observance.

FAMILY

Samantha Baskind and Sadowsky had attended Nathan Baskind’s burial ceremony in Normandy, as well as Saturday’s local event.

Though both call Nathan “uncle,” they arrived at those moments from different paths.

“My parents didn’t talk about it at all,” Sadowsky said. “I think they were trying to deal with their pain, and trying to protect my sister and I from this tragic loss.

“I would become aware. They would go to the cemetery, there would be a marker that he was at rest overseas, but when I would ask them about this, they would just very quickly say, ‘Yes, Mom had a brother who died in the war’ — period.”

Samantha’s family was more forthcoming.

“My father would talk about Nate,” she said. “He was very interested in making it clear that he had an uncle who was a great Jewish-American war hero. My dad would mention him, once or twice a year, talk about him on Memorial Day, to bring him to the forefront, and I think in part because he was so fond of Nate’s twin sister, Pearl, Stewart’s mom.

“So when I was young, Pearl was always a part of my life.

“My dad would talk about her quite a bit, then Nate would creep into the conversation.”

Both are grateful for the efforts that led to Nathan’s eventual recognition and traditional Jewish burial, including those by the governments of Germany and France, which worked with the U.S. and Operation Benjamin to bring the quest to fruition.

Along the way, Sadowsky has been able to fill in some gaps in his family history.

“It’s been a tremendous satisfaction in learning about him now,” he said, “reconstructing his last days and appreciating the history, looking back at the family, the experience that I had and understanding it in a different light and seeing through that lens.

“And it goes on. We’re still researching alot of the tales, I feel like I’ve become somewhat closer to someone I’ll never know. It’s an enriching thing for me to be his nephew.”

Louise Silk, whose father was Nathan’s first cousin, came from Pittsburgh, hoping to learn more about her family as well.

“I came here for my father,” she said. “I think he would have been here for sure. I actually don’t know a lot about the family. There are many things I’m wanting to understand here.

“They had a family club and they had minutes in it, and every once in a while they would go to a family in New Castle, so I knew there was someone here, but it wasn’t Baskind, so I want to figure that out. So I just want to understand what happened in my family.”

TRIBUTES

For those unfamiliar with Nathan Baskind’s history, various speakers left no doubt about the man being recognized as a Jewish American war hero.

In presenting the family a citation from the state House of Representatives along with state Rep. Marla Brown, state Rep. Aaron Bernstine called Baskind “a true American patriot and a true American hero.”

State Sen. Michele Brooks referenced the Roseck teens, noting “These young men are just a few years younger than what Nathan was when he chose to go over and serve. I just can’t even imagine the weight on that family as they said goodbye to their son.”

New Castle Public Library Director Andrew Henley, who teamed with Adult Services Manager Gabrielle Lucas to research Baskind’s history, noted: “First Lieutenant Nathan Baskind gave the last full measure of his life for his country, protecting the lives of his family, protecting the individuals of his community and protecting the future generations — which are you, here today.”

Photos by Dan Irwin, New Castle News