EDITORIAL
An Old Soldier's Mettle
E
verything about David Rubitsky's story is hard to believe: that during a
World War II battle in the jungles of New Guinea in 1942, the former
U.S. Army sergeant killed more than 500 Japanese soldiers single-
handedly; that he was denied a Congressional Medal of Honor because he was
Jewish; or that he would fabricate such a story four-and-a-half decades later.
Last week an Army review board, after studying the case for two years, rul-
ed that Rubitsky, now a retired merchant seaman in Milton, Wis., should not be
awarded the military's highest honor because the facts could not be substan-
tiated. The board based its decision on the lack of official records of the incident,
the subsequent death of many of the principal personnel involved in it, and the
failing memories of many of the remaining survivors.
Rubitsky's company commander, Capt. J.M. Stehling, who later retired as a
brigadier general, took up Rubitsky's cause several years ago. Stehling swore
that, upon personally inspecting the battle scene, he had seen more than 500
Japanese soldiers killed or wounded "by the actions of Sergeant Rubitsky .. .
His action was heroic, and he should receive the Medal of Honor."
Several of Rubitsky's military superiors recommended him shortly after the
battle for the Medal of Honor. The response of a Col. Mott, to whom they sub-
mitted the recommendation, was to laughingly ask, "You mean a Jew for the
Congressional Medal of Honor?" and walk away.
Ironically, the Army's review of Rubitsky's application came as the Defense
Department is probing charges that discrimination led to not one of the 295
Medals of Honor awarded in World War II going to black soldiers —and only two
going to Jews.
The-only explanation for the Army review board's decision was that they did
not believe that the incident occurred, though officials were careful not to ac-
cuse Rubitsky of lying. They said he acted honorably in battle and that he and
his advocates suffered from memory lapses. Rubitsky insists it did happen and
that he will appeal his case.
As for why he let the matter drop for more than four decades, Rubitsky ex-
plains that he wanted to forget the horrible memories when the war ended.
Describing the night in question and his shooting and bayoneting of the enemy,
he reflected, "To think that a human being would do that to another human be-
ing, what I did . . . "
But that is what wars are about, and the Medal of Honor is awarded for
gallantry in action at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.
To date, Rubitsky has received no commendation for his role in the war. He
says his goal is not the medal, but justice. Perhaps the ultimate lesson for him,
and for all of us, is that justice is the first victim of war. Soldier that he is,
though, David Rubitsky says he'll fight on, against the odds.
Doomed Dialogue?
I
t's been a year now since the United States decided to end its 14-year ban on
official contacts with the Palestine Liberation Organization and open a dia-
logue with the organization, despite protests from Jerusalem. Has progress
been made in that year?
Yassir Arafat continues to talk out of both sides of his mouth, pledging
peace to the West, and conquest of Israel to the Arab world. Soon after the
PLO's renunciation of terrorism and recognition of Israel last December in
Geneva, PLO officials denied that they had given up armed struggle against
Israel or recognized the Jewish state. And despite much discussion, the PLO
Charter, calling for Israel's destruction, has not been renounced.
Beyond rhetoric, both radical and "moderate" factions within the PLO con-
tinue to carry out terrorist acts — at least 71 acts of terror this year, not to men-
tion more than 150 killings of Palestinians accused of collaborating.
The American reaction to all of this violence has been to complain and to
hold the PLO responsible — but there has been little talk of ending the dialogue,
despite the fact that U.S. officials admit that there has been no tangible pro-
gress in the dialogue.
Washington remains a partner in this frozen dialogue because it is convinc-
ed that the only solution to the Israel-Palestinian impasse is for the PLO to give
its approval of elections in the territories; the PLO remains because it is con-
vinced that the United States can be persuaded to decrease its support of Israel.
8
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1989
LETTERS I
Clarification
The article titled "Nice
Jewish Boys With Bombs"
reprinted from the Village
Voice in the July 25, 1986,
edition of The Jewish News
described Gene Blum of
Baltimore as "a contributor"
to Kahane.
Based on documents and in-
formation presented to us
after publication of the arti-
cle, it appears that Mr. Blum
did not, in fact, contribute to
Rabbi Kahane or the Jewish
Defense League.
Religion Has No
Place In Schools
I am writing in response to
your article "Christmas in
Schools Still an Issue in
Blomfield Hills" (Nov. 24)
regarding holidays in public
schools. In agreement with
Rev. Jim Lyons, it is my opi-
nion that separating public
educaion and religion is ex-
tremely important. I believe
in firm judicial action to keep
all religious symbols and
discussion out of the public
education process.
There already has been
litigation on the subject of
separating church and state
in a variety of manners. One
such example is the 1984 case
against the Birmingham City
Hall, in which a federal ap-
peals court ruled that a
creche was not allowed on the
premises of the city hall.
Though I am Jewish, I do
not feel that Chanukah has
any more right to be
displayed than Christmas. As
Marc Pearl, Washington
representative of the
American Jewish Congress,
said, "Religious symbols do
not belong on government
property. While it may be
legally O.K., it sends certain
ominous signals to minority
religions."
As painful as it may be to
some, religion finds no place
in a public school. The school
I attend is laden with
Christmas tres, menorahs
and other religious symbols.
I am especially uncomfor-
table with the Christmas
trees decorated with Jewish
stars. It becomes almost an
insult, trying to make
everyone happy by putting it
all together.
The simple truth is, all
religions are different, and we
must respect one another and
learn about each other. But a
public institution is not
theplace to pronounce our
own religious beliefs.
Carrie Bree Rice
North Farmington High School
Israeli Housing
Needs Our Help
Begging for visas, Arabs are
lining up at the American
and western European con-
sulates. Things are not too
good for them. They want to
leave Israel and the
territories.
But many young Israelis
are also leaving. The problem
they face is that homes are
outrageously expensive and
practically no rental housing
is available.
And yet, we have a once in
a lifetime opportunity —
something beyond our wildest
dreams. As many as a million
Jews from Russia, eastern
Europe, Argentina and Ethio-
pia in the next few years will
be free to leave and want to
come to Israel.
Unless we do something
about it, that will just be an
empty dream. Israel is not
prepared to provide the hous-
ing for the Jewish newcomers,
let alone those already there.
Israel needs a revolution in
housing. We American Jews
should help.
1) Our American Jewish
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