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Winning over Nazis to Win the War

Virtual Event
Rocket scientist Wernher von Braun (left), a former Nazi, receives a federal civilian service award from President Dwight D. Eisenhower circa 1959. Alamy

Rocket scientist Wernher von Braun (left), a former Nazi, receives a federal civilian service award from President Dwight D. Eisenhower circa 1959. Alamy

After escaping the Nazis, Arno Mayer and other German Jewish refugees learned how to glean information from the enemy as part of a secret American military operation during World War II.

Mayer faced a moral dilemma when he was ordered to work with German rocket scientist Wernher von Braun and other Nazis who immigrated to America after the war. Von Braun’s skills and know-how were considered so valuable that even President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who had witnessed Nazi atrocities firsthand, embraced him. Join us to learn more about Jewish refugee soldiers and the 1,600 Nazis permitted to immigrate to America.

Guests
Dr. Mark Alexander, Historian, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Dr. Robert K. Sutton, author, Nazis on the Potomac: The Top-Secret Intelligence Operation that Helped Win World War II

Host
Dr. Edna Friedberg, Historian, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Watch live at facebook.com/holocaustmuseum. You do not need a Facebook account to view our program. After the live broadcast, the recording will be available to watch on demand on the Museum’s Facebook and YouTube pages.

 

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