Concentration Camp Liberators Oral History Project
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Interviewer
Michael Hirsh
Publication Date
March 2022
Date
March 2008
Abstract
Morris Eisenstein was a corporal in the 42nd Infantry Division, which liberated Dachau on April 29, 1945. He and his unit were waiting for orders in the town of Dachau when they were told to investigate something outside the town. Eisenstein was one of the first American soldiers to enter the camp and was immediately surrounded by thousands of prisoners. Firing his rifle into the air, he addressed them with a Hebrew prayer, which calmed them down. As Eisenstein walked through the camp, he stumbled over a man sitting on the ground and offered him some money. The man insisted on giving him something in return: the Star of David badge from his uniform. After walking around the camp, Eisenstein collected his men and went on to Munich. He has been frequently interviewed and has been featured in at least two books.
Keywords
World War II (1939-1945), Holocaust (1939-1945), Concentration camps, Concentration camps--Liberation, Jewish veterans, Veterans, Genocide, Crimes against humanity, United States. Army. Infantry Division 42nd, Dachau (Concentration camp)
Extent
00:16:59; 13 page transcript
Subject: geographic
Dachau (Germany); Munich (Germany)
Language
English
Digital Date
2022
Media Type
Oral histories
Format
Digital Only
Identifier
C65-00036
Recommended Citation
Eisenstein, Morris, "Morris Eisenstein Oral History Interview" (2022). Concentration Camp Liberators Oral History Project. 28.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/concentration_OH/28
Rights Statement
