Jewish WWII Hero’s Grave in Italy Finally Honored with Star of David After 80 Years

In a poignant ceremony on May 15, 2025, a Jewish-American hero’s grave in Florence, Italy, finally received its rightful Star of David, correcting an 80-year-old error. Private First Class Frank Kurzinger, a medic in the Army’s 10th Mountain Division, died at 22 on February 19, 1945, while rushing to aid his wounded friend, Private Del Riley, during a brutal assault on Italy’s Mount Belvedere. The two were part of a daring nighttime push against the Gothic Line, armed only with bayonets and grenades to avoid detection by German forces. Kurzinger triggered a landmine, sacrificing his life instantly.

Riley, injured by shrapnel that cauterized his wound but led to a lifelong bone disease, survived the war but never forgot his friend’s bravery. Born in Wurzberg, Germany, Kurzinger fled Nazi persecution with his family in 1938, settling in Denver, Colorado, before enlisting to fight for freedom. Yet, despite his Jewish heritage, he was buried under a cross at the American Cemetery in Florence—until Operation Benjamin, a nonprofit dedicated to honoring Jewish soldiers’ legacies, stepped in.

The reconsecration ceremony, attended by descendants of both Kurzinger and Riley, was a moment of closure and honor. Bruce Riley, Del’s son, traveled to Italy to pay tribute, leaving a challenge coin and a shell casing from his father’s 21-gun salute at the gravesite. “Frank’s sacrifice won’t fade on my watch,” Bruce declared, emphasizing the enduring bond between the two soldiers.

This story isn’t just about correcting a headstone; it’s a reminder of the personal costs of war and the quiet heroism that lingers in memory. As we reflect on such sacrifices, we’re reminded to keep history’s truths alive, ensuring no hero’s story is buried under the wrong symbol.