Military
Raymond Zussman
1917–1944 · soldier, Medal of Honor recipient
Hamtramck-born Jewish tank officer who received the Medal of Honor for leading an attack on a French village in September 1944; a park in front of Hamtramck City Hall bears his name.
- Born
Hamtramck, Michigan- Died
near Noroy-le-Bourg, France
aged 27- Detroit years
- 1917–1942
- Field
- Military
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Zussman was born in Hamtramck in 1917 and grew up in a Jewish family; his father Nathan ran a shoe store in the city, and as a boy Raymond sang in his synagogue's choir. He graduated from Central High School in Detroit, completed a year at Wayne State University and took night classes in metallurgy, while working as a Teamsters Local 337 member and shop steward. In World War II he served as a second lieutenant in the 756th Tank Battalion. On September 12, 1944, he led an attack on the village of Noroy-le-Bourg in eastern France, scouting ahead alone on foot under fire and directing his tanks; the action killed 18 German soldiers and captured 92. He was killed in action nine days later and was awarded the Medal of Honor. In 1949 his remains were brought home and reburied at Machpelah Cemetery in Ferndale. Zussman Park in Hamtramck and a playground in Detroit honor him.
Highlights
- Medal of Honor for the attack on Noroy-le-Bourg, September 12, 1944
- Graduate of Detroit's Central High School
- Teamsters Local 337 shop steward before the war
- Reburied at Machpelah Cemetery, Ferndale, in 1949
- Zussman Park in Hamtramck is named for him
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 3
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Memorial
Zussman Park
Park in front of Hamtramck City Hall named for Zussman.
Buried here · 1949
Machpelah Cemetery
Jewish cemetery in Ferndale where Zussman was reburied in 1949.
Studied here · 1930s
Central High School (Detroit)
Detroit high school where Zussman graduated.