Hyman Silverman
Hyman Silverman’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: The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Hyman Silverman, Corporal, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Verdun, France, October 27, 1918. When enemy shell fire had ignited an ammunition dump, Corporal (then private) Silverman assisted in removing the ammunition from the blazing dump. Several of his comrades were seriously wounded by exploding shells, and he himself was hit in many places by hand-grenade explosions, but he continued until the greater part of the explosives were moved to safety. He then assisted in removing his wounded comrades, before submitting to treatment for his wounds.
Life & Service
- Birth: 23 March 1895, Boston, MA, United States
- Place of Residence: Chelsea, MA, United States
- Race/Ethnicity: Jewish American
- Death: 21 October 1982 , FL, United States
- Branch: Army
- Military Rank: Corporal
- Company: [E]
- Infantry Regiment: 60th
- Division: 5th
Hyman Silverman was born to Rebecca “Bessie” Appeer/Opper (1873-1922) and Meyer Silverman (1871-1933) on 23 March 1895 in Boston, Middlesex, Massachusetts. Silverman was the third of six children; Sadie (1890-1969), Maurice (1892-1981), Harry William (1898-1961), Eva (1906-1965), and Anna Rachel (1908-1971). In the early 1900s, the family lived at 122 Winnisimmet Street in Chelsea, Suffolk County, where Mr. Silverman owned a store or haberdashery. Silverman attended public school but left high school before completion; according to his Jewish Serviceman Questionnaire, he spent “3 yrs. at Northeastern College C&F; Candidate for the degree of B.C.S.”.
“Left high at 15 years, went to work for Mason Bros. & Co. Commission remained here 10 months, from whence I went clerking in cigar store at $6.00 week, left this partly after being with him for 1 year and nine months because of the lack of opportunity for advancement. I then went to work for Jacob Margolis proprietor U.S. Naval Hospital Canteen, Chelsea, Mass. While with him I was given the chance to pursue a night school course at the Y.M.C.A. I was (here) with him for 3 ½ years and because of my schooling my salary had been doubled within one year. Just before I came into the Army I promoted a booming proposition $25.00 raised every cut off it within 48 hours!”
In 1917, Silverman noted his occupation as a bookkeeper for “Globe Feature Film Corp” located at 21 Winchester St., Boston, Massachusetts.
Silverman was drafted, entering service with the U.S. Army on 23 November 1917. He was initially assigned to 31st Co., 8th Btn., 151st Depot Brigade, but was soon transferred to Co. E, 60th Infantry Regiment, 5th Division, AEF. Private Silverman and Co. E left New York aboard the U.S. Army Transport Ship Canopic on 16 April 1918.
Silverman was promoted to Private First Class on an unknown date, then Corporal on 18 September 1918. Corporal Silverman participated in the St. Mihiel Offensive and Meuse-Argonne Offensive operations- he also was engaged in the St. Die Sector. Corporal Silverman received the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions on 27 October near Verdun, France,
“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 Corporal [then Private] Hyman Silverman (ASN: 2383446), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company E, 60th Infantry Regiment, 5th Division, A.E.F., near Verdun, France, 27 October 1918. When enemy shell fire had ignited an ammunition dump, Corporal Silverman assisted in removing the ammunition from the blazing dump. Several of his comrades were seriously wounded by exploding shells, and he himself was hit in many places by hand-grenade explosions, but he continued until the greater part of the explosives were moved to safety. He then assisted in removing his wounded comrades, before submitting to treatment for his wounds.”
The extent of Cpl Silverman’s wounds are currently unknown. He was initially assigned to leave France in July of 1919, but was transferred to First Replacement Depot, Brest Casual Company 3752 and re-scheduled for departure. Cpl Silverman left Brest, France aboard the U.S. Army Transport Ship U.S.S. Madawaska on 12 August 1919, arriving in Brooklyn, New York on 23 August. Silverman was Honorably Discharged on 3 September at Camp Devens, Massachusetts.
Upon his return home, Silverman worked as a bond salesman. In 1920, he married Jennie Gertrude Toltz (1895-1959); the couple had three children, Beatrice (1922-2016)*, Phyllis (1926-), and Laraine Ryna (1927-1980). The couple lived with the Toltz family in Chelsea, then moved to 7 (Suite 3) Murray St. by 1930. In the 1940s-1950s, the family lived at 25 Cary Avenue, Chelsea, where Silverman worked as a public accountant; at one time, his office was held at 220 Broadway, Chelsea.
For several decades, Silverman was active in the Jewish War Veterans Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Free Masons (member of Hammatt Lodge, East Boston, MA), and, at one time, the N.E. Labor Zionist Organization.
Details related to Silverman’s life between 1950-1980 are unknown; he retired to Daytona Beach, Florida in 1979 and died there on 21 October 1982 of an unknown illness. Silverman is buried at Mount Sinai Cemetery, Daytona Beach, Florida.
*Beatrice Silverman would later marry Norman Kingsley Mailer (1923-2007), novelist and playwright.