Isaac Goldstein Bartner

Isaac Goldstein (AKA Irving Barnter)’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 Isaac Goldstein, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Talma Farm, France, October 19, 1918. Disregarding the warning that to leave shelter meant almost certain death, Private Goldstein went to the aid of a wounded comrade through an open field exposed to murderous artillery and machine-gun fire. Bringing his comrade back to safety, he took a message from the wounded man's pocket and delivered it to its destination. Under cover of darkness he carried his comrade to a first-aid station.

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Life & Service

  • Birth: 8 February 1893, London, United Kingdom
  • Place of Residence: Newark, NJ, United States
  • Race/Ethnicity: Jewish American
  • Death: 5 May 1969 Newark, NJ, United States
  • Branch: Army
  • Military Rank: Private
  • Company: [D]
  • Infantry Regiment: 312th
  • Division: 78th

Personal Narrative

Early Life (Pre-War): Includes general parent information, sibling information, education Toggle Accordion

Isaac Goldstein was born to Hyman (1875-1951) and Ottilia/Celia Radmaker (1872-?), Russian immigrants, on 8 February 1893 in London, England. Goldstein was the second of six children; Sophie (1892-?), Max (1897-1930), Anna (1903-1994), Manning (1905-?), and Marcus (1907-2002). The family arrived in the U.S. anywhere between 1894 and 1900.

Goldstein, Sr. was a shoemaker, later owning his own business. The family settled in Newark, New Jersey, living on Boston Street in the early 1900s, Charlton Street in 1905, and Plane Street in the 1910s. As a teenager and young adult, Goldstein worked in the cigar business; at the time of his enlistment, he was a resident of 345 South 11th St., Newark.

Service: Includes a summary of transfers, rank change(s), training, enlistment, and discharge locations Toggle Accordion

Goldstein was drafted into the U.S. Army on 25 February 1918, he was assigned as a Private to Co. D, 312th Infantry Regiment, 78th Infantry Division, AEF. Pvt Goldstein and Co. D left Brooklyn, New York aboard the U.S. Army Transport Ship Port Melbourne on 20 May 1918. Pvt Goldstein received the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions near Talma Farm, France, on 19 October;

“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 Isaac Goldstein (ASN: 2406728), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company D, 312th Infantry Regiment, 78th Division, A.E.F., near Talma Farm, France, 19 October 1918. Disregarding the warning that to leave shelter meant almost certain death, Private Goldstein went to the aid of a wounded comrade through an open field exposed to murderous artillery and machine-gun fire. Bringing his comrade back to safety, he took a message from the wounded man’s pocket and delivered it to its destination. Under cover of darkness he carried his comrade to a first-aid station.”

Goldstein noted that he was wounded on “Oct 23, 1918; send to Base Hospital #61 Beaume France, then return to the same company Jan 14, 1919”. Pvt Goldstein returned to the United States on an unknown date, he was Honorably Discharged on 31 May 1919.  

Later Life (Post-War): Includes post-war education, occupation, marriage(s) and/or children, location and date of death Toggle Accordion

Upon his return home, Goldstein lived with his parents and siblings on S. 11th Street in Newark, working as a department store salesman. At some point before 1924, Goldstein married Lena Lewis (1895-1970), with her, having two children, Milton Jack (1924-1986) and Marvin (1926-2015). In the 1930s, the family lived on Highland Avenue in Kearny, New Jersey, in the 1940s, 85 Johnstone Avenue, where Goldstein owned a delicatessen and grocery store at the same address.

Around this time, Goldstein changed his surname to ‘Bartner’, as did his wife and children. He also changed his first name from Isaac or “Ike” to Irving. Details surrounding his later life are unknown; Bartner died of an unknown cause on 5 May 1969 in Kearny, he is buried at Congregation B’Nai Jeshurun Cemetery in Elizabeth, New Jersey.