Sam Dreben

Was known as "The Fighting Jew". Many books, articles, and a TV special written about him.

Dreben fled the anti-Semitic oppression of Russia for the freedom of America, arriving in 1896. He enlisted in the U.S. Army serving in the Spanish-American War and Boxer Rebellion. He reenlisted in WWI winning the D.S.C. (U.S.), the Croix de Guerre, (Fr.) and the Medaille Militaire, (Bel.). He was a soldier of fortune in numerous Latin American and Mexican revolutions and even served with Pancho Villa as a member of his Golden Guard. He was a respected resident of El Paso, Texas before moving to Los Angeles, California, in 1925. When he died, due to a medical error in Los Angeles, the Texas Legislature adjourned for the day and flew all flags at half staff to honor the greatest hero of W.W.I from Texas.