Selmonsky Family

 

Back row (left to right): Philip Selmonsky, Pauline Knyper Selmonsky, Mary Selmonsky Haber, Bobby Selmonsky, Harvey Stern & Lou Haber

Front row (left to right): Louise Selmonsky Mintzes with Ann Mintzes on her lap, Ethel Selmonsky Jaker, Doris Selmonsky Stern with Susan Stern on her lap, Miriam Seff Selmonsky with Richard Selmonsky on her lap & Louis Stern 

A story from Peter Stern:

Lou Haber was part of the Lost Battalion in World War I - nine companies of the U.S. 77^th Division, roughly 554 men from NYC. 

After an American attack in the Argonne Forest in October 1918, they were isolated by German Forces.  Roughly 197 were killed in action, 150 were missing in action and 194 were rescued.

Historians credited NYC street smarts for the reason some survived, but Lou Haber survived because he was lucky enough to be on sick leave when the battle took place.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_Battalion_(World_War_I)