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Melvin Hurwitz, a decorated World War II hero, celebrated his 100th birthday on March 12th, 2025. Melvin is described as "a devoted husband and father, a successful businessman, and a really nice great guy with a sense of humor!"
Melvin’s father, Benjamin Hurwitz, was born in Belarus, Russia, and began learning clockmaking at the age of 14. A family member brought him to the U.S., where, in 1920, he founded Columbia Jewelry (later renamed Colonial Jewelry) in Baltimore, where he met his future wife, Rae Pushkin, who was also born in Russia. Benjamin and Rae raised four sons: Albert, William, Melvin, and Gerald. Melvin, the second youngest, was born on March 12th, 1925, and grew up in the small town of Westminster, Maryland, where he learned the importance of a close family.
At the age of 18, Mel answered the call to duty to serve his country. When he hadn’t decided which service branch to join, a friend said, “Well, you don’t get to choose where you want to go, so why don’t you go into the Air Force? You’ll have access to a hospital, a bed to sleep in, and meals every day. You’ll also be wearing Silver Wings, and the girls love the Silver Wings!” Melvin was sold! Melvin contacted the Army Air Corps Recruiting Office in Nashville, TN, and was inducted into the U.S. Army Air Corps in the summer of ‘43. Because he proved to be an ace in Morse Code, he trained to become a Radio Operator and attended Waist Gunner training on a B-17.
Melvin’s brothers joined other branches of the U.S. armed forces. His younger brother Gerald served in the Army, while his older brothers William and Albert served in the Navy and the Marines, respectively. Miraculously, they all returned home safely.
Melvin, promoted to Staff Sergeant in the Army Air Corps, served in the 8th Air Force, 493rd Bomb Group, and 863rd Bomb Squadron. His aircraft, referred to at the time, was nicknamed “Organized Confusion." The Bomb Group was the last to become operational, flying their first combat mission on D-Day from Debach, Suffolk. Known as "the Fighting 493rd," the Bomb Group ultimately completed 157 missions, targeting various strategic locations in Germany and tactical objectives in Northern France, Holland, and along the Rhine.
In the days leading up to the end of the war, along with the RAF from the UK and Canada, he played a critical role in “Operation Chowhound,” which involved food drops delivering over 400 tons of food to a reported 4.5 million starving Dutch men, women, and children affected by German blockades. He also flew two repatriation missions, bringing back hundreds of French POWs from Linz, Austria, to Charente, France. Upon returning, he was appointed to the American Society of the French Legion of Honor. Melvin was also awarded the prestigious Audie Murphy Award in recognition of NCOs who exemplify leadership marked by personal concern for the needs, training, development, and welfare of fellow soldiers and their families.
After the war, Melvin joined his father’s jewelry business, which was first established in Westminster, expanding it by opening an additional store in Annapolis, Maryland. Eventually, it was sold, allowing him to join a store that his brother Will had established in Frederick, Maryland. Ultimately, they merged with the original store that his father had opened in Westminster. It was in Frederick that Melvin met his future wife, Bette Fisher Zimmerman. After 30 years, Melvin and Bette retired to Boca Raton, Florida. Sadly, Bette passed away in December 2017. Following her passing, Melvin moved back to Frederick for permanent retirement. Melvin’s family includes a daughter, Aileen Fisher, two grandsons, Ethan and Aaron, and a great-great-grandson, Micah Fisher.
You may have noticed Melvin recently, as he was captured on camera with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Normandy last year during the 80th anniversary of D-Day, where they shared an emotional moment. Melvin embraced the Ukrainian President and referred to him as “ the savior of the people.” Mr. Zelensky told Mr. Hurwitz that he and his fellow World War II veterans had “saved Europe. " Melvin also had the extraordinary experience of meeting Prince William. Just last year, Melvin discovered he had been seated next to John ‘Lucky’ Luckadoo at a dinner at the Norwegian Embassy in Washington, DC. Luckadoo was a pilot on a B-17 in the 101st Airborne Division, featured in ‘Masters of the Air,’ which aired in 2024. Additionally, SSgt Hurwitz was recognized by 8th Air Forces Major General Jason Armagost last year at the 8th AFHS 50th Annual Reunion. The Best Defense Foundation sponsored trips for SSgt Hurwitz to attend D-Day events in Normandy, Berlin, and other WWII-related location
Thank you, Melvin. You served your country with distinction, and we will be forever indebted to you, the many veterans who came home, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice and did not. May they be remembered.
