“Sergeant Shemin served at a time when the contributions and heroism of Jewish Americans in uniform were toooften overlooked. But William Shemin saved American lives. He represented our nation with honor. And so it is my privilege, on behalf of the American people, to make this right and finally award the Medal of Honor to Sergeant William Shemin. Sergeant Shemin’s extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service. America is the country we are today because of people like Henry (Johnson) and William (Shemin)—Americans who signed up to serve, and rose to meet their responsibilities—and then went beyond. The least we can do is to say: We know who you are. We know what you did for us. We are forever grateful.” — from President Barack Obama’s speech at the White House Ceremony, June 2, 2015, awarding the Medal of Honor posthumously to William Shemin and Henry Johnson almost a century after their heroic service in World War I.

The book is very well done. William Shemin was a hero and an inspiration to us all with his dedication to his fellow soldiers and his country. It’s great that his heroics, bravery, and leader- ship are finally recognized.
—US CONGRESSMAN BLAINE LUETKEMEYER (R- MO)

The Ivy Hero is inspiring!! Sgt. William Shemin’s heroic battlefield actions exemplify our Soldier’s Creed . . . Never Leave a Fallen Comrade. His greatest Legacy shines through generations . . . a Family of Servant Leaders who continue to strengthen our Communities and Inspire hope in the American Dream for which William Shemin and millions of fellow Veterans fought to perpetuate. —GENERAL DAN ALLYN, US Army (Retired)

I couldn’t be prouder that William Shemin and other Jewish heroes will get the recognition they deserve, and the national gratitude they earned. —SENATOR CLAIRE MCCASKILL (D-MO) at the time of William Shemin’s Medal of Honor ceremony, 2015

The Ivy Hero should be an inspiration for generations of adults and children for many years to come.
— RABBI JEFFREY STIFFMAN, Senior Rabbi Emeritus, Congregation Shaare Emeth, St. Louis

The Ivy Hero is a wonderful read and will provide its readership with insight into what true heroes are, and sacrifices they make for humanity. —STEVE RUHNKE, Retired Curator for the 4th Infantry Division Museum

“The bravest man I ever knew,” said our grandfather, Jim Pritchard, about his dear friend Bill Shemin. His heroic act saved our grandfather and allowed the creation of three more generations that now stretch across this country. The bond between the Shemin and Pritchard family is cherished and the two families are intertwined forever. The Ivy Hero book embodies the message of how one person’s caring for his fellow man has a positive ripple effect on others that reverberates well into the future. —LYNN PRITCHARD AND THE WHOLE PRITCHARD FAMILY including 13 family members from three generations of descendants of their beloved hero, Sgt. Jim Pritchard, spread out through New York, New Jersey, Nebraska, Arizona, California.

We are renaming a school for a hometown hero who went above and beyond. By dedicating this school, students will think about those who served and may well follow in his example to do what is right.
— JOHN NIESZ, Bayonne, NJ Schools Superintendent, around the time of the ceremony naming one of Bayonne’s schools The William Shemin Midtown Community School, 2019

The book about your father came the other day, and I have really been enjoying it. I’m amazed at how well-preserved you and your family have kept your photos and history. I’m blown away by your family’s selflessness at including Henry Johnson. It really shows the breadth of Medal of Honor recipients, both in terms of actions, backgrounds and what turns life took for both of them after the War. That your family ensured both stories continue to be told is an incredible service. — MAJOR JOHN QUINN, Missouri National Guard

I received the advanced copy of The Ivy Hero. Many thanks for passing it along! The illustrations are great. I particularly like the early postwar photos, since they’re so evocative of the era. — PATRICK OSBORN (Curator, National Archives)

I wanted to drop a quick note to say thank you for the wonderful book about your father and Henry Johnson. It’s an incredibly lovely tribute and you and your family should be very proud. — MIKE VENSO, Military and Firearms Curator, Missouri Historical Society, Soldiers Memorial Military Museum, St. Louis

OMG! I am so impressed with the book. It is certainly something students can read and comprehend.
— PAT DZIUBEK, Assistant Principal, Bayonne High School

I received my copy of The Ivy Hero yesterday and I was overwhelmed with excitement. The book is absolutely fantastic. The writing is informative, and the pictures give it the extra visualization that brings the book to life. I am so honored to have been a part of this process and I can’t thank you enough for bringing William Shemin into my life. Your family is extraordinarily lucky to have this book to document William Shemin’s life. I know that it was a labor of love and the result is simply wonderful. Generations will now know about William Shemin because of your prodigious effort. — TONYA ELISHA MELE (Grade 6 English Language Arts Teacher, William Shemin Midtown Community School, Bayonne, NJ)

Once I started to read The Ivy Hero, I couldn’t put the book down. The book reveals how great William Shemin’s efforts were for his country and his family. — BUDDY LEBMAN, 97 year-old World War II veteran, who saw action in the tank and artillery corps with General Patton and participated in the liberation of the Dachau concentration camp.

The Ivy Hero is a truly inspirational accounting of a remarkable man whose courage, conviction and dedication are only eclipsed by his desire to serve and save his fellow man. Bill Shemin’s sacrifice for his country is inspirational and uplifting and gives hope that his life will inspire the next generation that is called to serve above and beyond. Love of country and love of fellow man are echoed through this wonderful book. No one who reads about Bill can help but feel motivated to act courageously not only under fire but in every day decisions that confront us all. — JACK PIROZZI, former Executive Director, major gifts program, Washington University, St. Louis

On The Ivy Hero: ‘Tis a real treasure! — COL. SHERWOOD (WOODY) GOLDBERG (Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army)

The Ivy Hero is great. My family loves it. It is my new history book. I am a visual person and I really love the old pictures. I have been showing it off. So, thank you, thank you. And thank you for including the story of Henry Johnson. — COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR (RET.) LOUIS WILSON

I just got your early reader’s release of The Ivy Hero book and must say, it is terrific! — COL. RICHARD GOLDENBERG, US Army National Guard

The Ivy Hero is wonderful. I’m going to see about having the book added to our Hall of Honor display, where we recognize William. Really good stuff! — MIKE HAYNIE, Vice Chancellor, Syracuse University & Executive Director, D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF)

The Ivy Hero book helped me develop a better understanding of Bill Shemin after his war experiences. It is a well-written biography, and very appropriate for young readers. It also describes the family’s efforts, especially those of Elsie, to correct a flaw of the United States government. — DR. MICHAEL BRIDGEN, Emeritus Director and Professor of The Ranger School, NY

The Ivy Hero contains much more information than one can find in other sources. I am proud to say that I was a small part of the well-deserved though related ceremony paying tribute to these two American heroes.
— (RABBI) CHAPLAIN, MAJOR, BRUCE BUBLICK, United States Air Force (Retired)