The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-01-14

This nation remembers with honor and gratitude the valor and the deeds of those who re- sponded to the, call of service in 1917 and 1918, and in all other times of peril. 1t has also rec membered the gallant conduct of the neighbor chosen for to-day's program. He is Harry Liebes- kind, secretary and treasurer of the Musler Liebeskind womer's ap. parel store on East Main street, holder of three citations for brav- cry displayed during the World War. Mir. Liebeskind has been honored by the American government twice, and once by the French government. =.
 Harry Liebeslsind was born ct Brooklyn, N. r., Oct. 11th, 1893, the son of Louis and Jennie (Musler) Liebeskind. His nar" ents were natives of Krakau, e city on the Vistula River, in Aus- tria. His mother died here in 1882. His dad is now 6 member of the board of educa- ton and resides ct 10 Kenilworth Street. .. Young Liebeskind was brought to Waterbury when he was three years old. When he was big enough he was sent to Driggs school and later to Crosby high school. He graduated in 1913 and subsequently, enrolled ct the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, Michigan. His early ambition was to become Q doctor 50 he pursued @ medical course at this coeducational insti- .tution. Fourteen days after the United States declared war against Germany Harry Liebes- kind bid goodbye to his colleagues, journey to New Haven, and enc listed with the medical department of the l02nd Infantry. The fact that his parents homeland was allied to Germany meant nothing to this 100 per cent American. He was sent to Fort Ethan Allen for special training, returning later to Yale Field for e short stay before embarking for France. He served 18 months with the Yankee Division and fought in the thickest and bloodieSt sector of the overseas holocaust. He miraculously escaped death and the deadly fumes of poisonous gases. He covered himself with glory and upon his return here was honorably discharged at Bos- ton. His heroic conduct under terrific fro won him the Croi$ de querre from the French gov- ernment and the Distinguished Service Gross and Oak Leaf Cluster from Uncle Sam. They are his cherished possessions to- day.
 After leaving the service Harry spent 0 short vacation here with his folks and then went to New York as Q salesman for triin- ming novelty company. At the end of two years he returned here to enter the MuSler LicbeSkind store, operated by his father, and which has occupied the same site at 8 East Main street for tho past 38 years. It has, of course, been considerably enlarged since the business was founded almost two score years ago. It first opened as c mems and women's store. Later 1t became O depart- ment store. At present the buSi- ness is devoted exclusively to wo- mems wearing apparel.
 Harry Liebeskind married Mss Selma Levin of this city, June g, 1920. They now have two chil- dren: Lois, four and Q half years old, and John, one year old. MT. Liebeskind's chief pastime Is play ing with his little ones. I might point out at this time that the date--April 20th--has some some of significance in Mir. Liebeskind's life. Ho joined the army on April goth, 1917. k1e Whb uOlUEuDiy uAoSiiutBeu eh April goth, 1919. And his daughter, Lois, was born on April 20th, 1881.
 Harry Liebeskind weighs l45 pounds, and IS five feet, seven inches in height, with blue eyes and brown hair. He enjoys sports of oil kinds, especially bas- ketbali and running-track meets. He played on the state champion 10i2.10i3 basketball team at Crosby, and was also q member of the track team. He likes movies based on shakespeareS plays, and is very fond of classical music. He was tenor in the glee club at the University of Michi: