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U.S. POW to Nazis: I Am a Jew
Highland Park World War II veteran Nathan Firestone showed defiance when questioned by German captors after he was shot down over Austria.
Courage comes in many forms and shapes. For Highland Park World War II veteran Nathan Firestone he was tested when he became a German prisoner of war.
Firestone’s story was retold while honoring him as a “Hero Among Us” as part of Highland Park’s Veterans Day observance today that drew a standing room only crowd of more than 200 people at the Highland Park Public Library.
After flying 27 successful missions over Europe as an officer and navigator of a bomber squadron, his plane went down over Austria; he was captured by the Nazis, interrogated by them and ultimately escaped.
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He was asked why he bombed Austria by his captors. “Ich bin Juden (I am a Jew),” he replied. Watch the Patch video and see why he said that.
The story was related by Highland Park VFW Adjutant Peter Quilici. Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Deerfield) paused in his remarks to thank Firestone who was quick to give credit to his comrades in the Army Air Force.
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