Sidney Tobias Holzman
Sidney Tobias Holzman’s Personal Narrative was derived from information found in public records, military personnel files, and local/state historical association materials. Please note that the Robb Centre never fully closes the book on our servicemembers; as new information becomes available, narratives will be updated to appropriately represent the life story of each veteran.
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Military Honor(s):
Distinguished Service Cross
Citation: he President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Private Sidney Holzman (ASN: 1391464), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Machine-Gun Company, 132d Infantry Regiment, 33d Division, A.E.F., in the Bois-De-Foret, France, 10 October 1918. After six runners had been killed or wounded in attempts to get through heavy shell fire with an important message from the regimental commander of the 39th Infantry, to the regimental commander of the 59th Infantry, Private Holzman, with Private James J. Snyder, responded to a call for volunteers and succeeded in delivering the message.
Life & Service
- Birth: 23 December 1898, Chicago, IL, United States
- Place of Residence:
- Race/Ethnicity: Jewish American
- Death: 26 July 1967 Chicago, IL, United States
- Branch: Army
- Military Rank: Private
- Company: [Machine Gun]
- Infantry Regiment: 132nd
- Division: 33rd
University of Illinois at Chicago Collection
Check out the Sidney T. Holzman Personal Papers at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
The set is located in Special Collections 2006-03-13:
801 S. Morgan Street
Chicago, Illinois, 60607
STH Collection at the University of Illinois at ChicagoSidney Tobias Holzman was born to Nettie Pollack (1860-1931) and Leopold Holzman (1855-1933) on 23 December 1898 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. Holzman was the last of six children; Chester (1882-1915), Henry (1886-1900), Rose (1889-1968), Anna (1891-1957) and Joseph (1893-1967). Both Leopold Holzman and Nettie Pollack Holzman were Hungarian immigrants; the family settled in Chicago, living at 3812 Aldine (Street or Place) in the 1900s-1910s.
Few details regarding Holzman and his siblings’ early education or employment(s) are available.
Holzman enlisted in the federalized Illinois National Guard on 27 July 1917, assigned as a Private to Machine Gun Company within the 132nd Infantry Regiment, 33rd Infantry Division. Pvt Holzman and M.G. Co. left Hoboken, New Jersey aboard the U.S. Army Transport Ship Mt. Vernon on 16 May 1918.
Pvt Holzman received the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions in the Bois De Foret, France on 10 October 1918;
“The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Private Sidney Holzman (ASN: 1391464), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Machine-Gun Company, 132d Infantry Regiment, 33d Division, A.E.F., in the Bois-De-Foret, France, 10 October 1918. After six runners had been killed or wounded in attempts to get through heavy shell fire with an important message from the regimental commander of the 39th Infantry, to the regimental commander of the 59th Infantry, Private Holzman, with Private James J. Snyder, responded to a call for volunteers and succeeded in delivering the message.”
“…during the action word came from the company commander and that a volunteer was called for to deliver a message of importance from the PC 39th Infantry to the PC 59th Infantry thru heavy shell fire. That he called for volunteers and Private Sidney Holzman (AS No. 1391464) Machine Gun Company, 132nd Infantry responded. That he also called for a man to go with Private Holzman on this particularly dangerous mission and Private James J. Snyder, Machine Gun Company, 132nd Infantry volunteered. That he saw Private Holzman start on his mission and learned afterwards that he was successful.”
“…Commanding Officer had an urgent message to deliver to the 59th Infantry PC. Six runners had been killed or wounded in the attempt and it had not been possible to get a message thru. The Commanding Officer asked me for a runner and I had my First Sergeant call for a volunteer. Private Sidney Holzman (AS No. 1391464) Machine Gun Company, 132nd Infantry, volunteered for the duty after six runners had been killed. He left accompanied by Private James J. Snyder of his company, who had insisted upon accompanying him and Private Holzman delivered his message. Private Snyder was gassed in the attempt and has since died in the hospital. I believe that this action by Private Holzman showed most distinguished gallantry in action and personal bravery over and above the call of duty.”
Then-Private First Class Holzman left Brest, France aboard the U.S. Army Transport Ship U.S.S. Mt. Vernon on 9 May 1919.
Holzman’s initial discharge date is unknown- he re-enlisted before World War II and was retired from the Army on 24 November 1946 as a Lt. Colonel.
Upon his return home, Holzman lived with his parents and brother on 47th St. in Chicago. Around 1925, Holzman married Agnes Furlong (1906-1987); the couple had two children, James Chester (1930-1980) and Mary Lou (1933-). In the 1930s the family lived at 910 77th Street, Chicago, the 1940s, 7910 Ingleside Avenue.
Holzman was active in local and national organizations for a majority of his adult life, including the American Legion and 33rd Division Association. He was elected to the chairmanship of the Board of Election Commissioners of Cook County, Illinois in 1952, serving in that position until the 1960s. Holzman’s role on the Commission was prominent during the Kennedy-Nixon Election of 1960 and Johnson-Goldwater Election of 1964.
Holzman died in Chicago on 26 July 1969 of an unknown cause; he is buried at Ft. Sheridan Post Cemetery, Ft. Sheridan, Illinois.