Sergeant William Shemin: 10 Facts About the World War I Hero

Last updated on July 16th, 2026 at 10:25 pm

Let’s talk about Sergeant William Shemin, an American military hero from World War I.

The United States has always been a nation of immigrants, and throughout our history, people from different backgrounds, cultures, and religions have stepped forward to wear the uniform and defend our country. Unfortunately, there were times in our history when not every service member was treated equally.

During World War I and World War II, discrimination based on race, ethnicity, and religion was still common in many parts of American society—including the military. While thousands of Soldiers performed extraordinary acts of courage, some were denied the recognition they deserved simply because of who they were.

One of those Soldiers was Sergeant William Shemin.

His story isn’t just about bravery on the battlefield. It’s also about perseverance, leadership, sacrifice, and ultimately, justice. Nearly 100 years after his heroic actions during World War I, Sergeant Shemin finally received the nation’s highest military award—the Medal of Honor.

Sergeant William Shemin: 10 Amazing Facts

In today’s post, I’d like to share 10 inspiring facts about Sergeant William Shemin, one of the greatest Army heroes you’ve probably never heard of.

#1. He Was an American Born to Jewish Immigrant Parents

William Shemin was born on October 14, 1896, in Bayonne, New Jersey.

His parents were Jewish immigrants who had come to America seeking a better life.

Although Shemin was born in the United States, antisemitism was unfortunately common during the early 1900s. Like many Jewish Americans of that era, he often faced prejudice despite being every bit as patriotic as his fellow citizens.

That makes his military service even more inspiring.

He volunteered to defend a country that didn’t always treat him fairly.

#2. He Put His Career on Hold to Serve

Before joining the Army, Shemin attended the New York State College of Forestry at Syracuse University and worked as a park foreman.

When America entered World War I in 1917, he didn’t hesitate.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army and reported for training at Camp Greene, North Carolina.

Like millions of other young Americans, he placed his personal goals on hold because he believed serving his country was more important.

#3. He Served as an Infantry Rifleman

Shemin was assigned to:

• Company G
• 47th Infantry Regiment
• 4th Infantry Division
• American Expeditionary Forces (AEF)

As an infantry rifleman, he served on the front lines of one of the deadliest wars in history.

Life in the trenches was miserable.

Soldiers dealt with mud, disease, artillery bombardments, machine-gun fire, lack of sleep, and constant danger.

Yet Shemin never backed down from his responsibilities.

#4. His Heroism During the Second Battle of the Marne Was Extraordinary

Between August 7 and August 9, 1918, during the Second Battle of the Marne, Sergeant Shemin displayed unbelievable courage.

Repeatedly exposing himself to heavy German machine-gun and rifle fire, he left the safety of his trench to rescue wounded Soldiers.

He carried multiple wounded comrades back to safety despite knowing he could easily be killed.

When officers and senior NCOs became casualties, Shemin immediately assumed command and continued leading the attack.

His actions undoubtedly saved numerous lives.

This is exactly the type of leadership every Soldier hopes to see during combat.

#5. He Continued Fighting After Being Seriously Wounded

Eventually, enemy fire caught up with him.

Shemin was struck by shrapnel, and a bullet pierced his helmet, lodging just behind his ear.

Most people would have sought immediate medical attention.

Instead, Shemin continued performing his duties until he physically could no longer fight.

His willingness to put the mission and his fellow Soldiers ahead of himself is one of the reasons he is remembered as one of the Army’s greatest heroes.

#6. He Initially Received the Wrong Award

For his incredible bravery, Shemin received:

• Distinguished Service Cross
• Purple Heart

Those are prestigious decorations.

However, many historians—and eventually the U.S. Army—believed his actions clearly met the standard for the Medal of Honor.

His company commander described his heroism by writing:

“With the most utter disregard for his own safety, Shemin sprang from his position… dashed out across the open in full sight of the Germans…”

That certainly sounds like Medal of Honor-level courage.

Unfortunately, many historians believe antisemitism influenced why his award was downgraded.

#7. Nearly a Century Later, Justice Was Finally Served

In 2015, President Barack Obama upgraded Sergeant Shemin’s Distinguished Service Cross to the Medal of Honor.

Because Shemin had passed away decades earlier, the medal was accepted by his daughters:

• Ina Bass
• Elsie Shemin-Roth

It was an emotional ceremony that finally recognized what many people had believed for years.

Although the recognition came far too late for Sergeant Shemin himself, his family finally received the honor he had earned nearly a century earlier.

Better late than never.

#8. He Built a Successful Civilian Life

After returning from World War I, Shemin resumed his education and earned his degree.

He later founded a successful landscaping business in the Bronx, New York.

He married, raised three children, and became an active member of his community.

Like many veterans, he didn’t spend his life talking about what he had done during the war.

Instead, he quietly built a family, worked hard, and contributed to society.

His service didn’t define his entire life—but it certainly shaped the man he became.

#9. His Medal of Honor Helped Correct a Historical Injustice

Sergeant Shemin wasn’t the only Soldier whose award was reconsidered.

In the early 2000s, the Army reviewed numerous cases involving Jewish and Hispanic Soldiers whose valor may have been undervalued because of discrimination.

Several awards were upgraded after careful historical review.

These reviews weren’t about rewriting history.

They were about making sure extraordinary heroism received the recognition it deserved, regardless of a Soldier’s race, religion, or ethnicity.

That’s something I think all Americans can appreciate.

#10. His Leadership Still Inspires Soldiers Today

One reason I enjoy writing about military history is because leadership principles never go out of style.

Sergeant William Shemin demonstrated qualities every Soldier should strive to develop:

• Courage
• Selfless service
• Initiative
• Leadership under pressure
• Physical toughness
• Mental resilience
• Loyalty to fellow Soldiers

He didn’t wait for someone else to act.

He saw what needed to be done and took action.

That’s leadership.

Whether you’re a private, NCO, officer, or civilian leader, there’s something you can learn from Sergeant Shemin’s example.

Leadership Lessons from Sergeant William Shemin

If I had to summarize his life into a few leadership lessons, they would be these:

• Lead from the front.
• Put your people before yourself.
• Courage is doing the right thing despite fear.
• Don’t wait to be told what to do when lives are on the line.
• Great leaders serve others first.
• Recognition may come late—but character lasts forever.

Those are lessons every Army leader can benefit from.

Final Thoughts

Sergeant William Shemin may not be as well-known as names like Audie Murphy, Alvin York, or Desmond Doss, but his story deserves to be remembered alongside theirs.

He repeatedly risked his life to save others, continued leading after being wounded, and displayed extraordinary courage during one of World War I’s fiercest battles. Although it took nearly 100 years for him to receive the Medal of Honor, the delay doesn’t diminish what he accomplished on the battlefield.

One of the things I appreciate most about studying military history is seeing how leadership, courage, and selfless service transcend race, religion, ethnicity, and background. When bullets are flying, what matters most is your character, your competence, and your willingness to take care of the Soldiers beside you.

Sergeant William Shemin embodied those qualities.

His story reminds us that true leadership isn’t about rank or recognition. It’s about doing the right thing when it matters most—even if no one is watching.

Thank you, Sergeant William Shemin, for your incredible service and sacrifice. America is a better country because of Soldiers like you.

Suggested Resources

If you’d like to learn more about Sergeant William Shemin, World War I, or Medal of Honor recipients, here are a few excellent resources:

Books

• The First World War – One of the best one-volume histories of World War I.
• The American Soldier in World War I – A detailed look at the experiences of U.S. Soldiers during the Great War.
• Medal of Honor: Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty – Inspiring stories of America’s highest military award recipients.

Online Resources

• U.S. Army Center of Military History
• Congressional Medal of Honor Society
• National World War I Museum and Memorial

These resources provide additional information about Sergeant Shemin’s heroism, the Medal of Honor, and the important role American Soldiers played during World War I.