Goldenberg, Helen

Clevelander who enlisted in the U.S. Army in May 1944, was trained at Fort Des Moines, Iowa, and served as a clerk/typist in the Women's Air Transport Command in Europe from Dec. 1944 to Apr. 1946. She was known as Helen Horovitz, but changed her name to Helen Horton when she experienced anti-Semitic discrimination. She married David Goldenberg in 1947.

From the description of Goldenberg World War II papers and photographs, 1944-1968. (Rhinelander District Library). WorldCat record id: 277489046

Helen H. Goldenberg (nee Horovitz) (b. 1921) was born in Cleveland. Her family lived in Lakewood, Ohio, near Detroit and Bell Aves. They owned a ready-to-wear clothing business and she claims that they were only one of two Jewish families in Lakewood at the time. The other Jewish family, the Golds, owned a supermarket. Helen explained that her family encountered a great deal of anti-Semitism during the late 1920s-early 1930s. Children used to chase her and her brother, Robert, home from school. If caught, they would physically beat them. On Sundays, she noted that her family could not leave the house as local members of the German Bund would demonstrate in support of the National Socialist movement in Germany.

Anti-Semitism continued into Helen's young adulthood. One such instance involved her attempt to gain employment at Lerner Clothing in Cleveland. Helen initially applied under her original surname, Horovitz (of Hungarian Jewish origin), and was informed that there were no opportunities. Helen had been considering anglicizing her surname due to such discrimination. Therefore, she changed Horovitz to Horton. Several days later, she reapplied for the same job at Lerner; however, under a different name and a change of hat and gloves. Helen was given the job.

Helen enlisted in the U.S. military in May, 1944, initially because she wanted to take advantage of an opportunity to travel. At first, she noted, the military was hesitant to enlist her due to her scoliosis (Helen had polio at age three or four, for which she received no special treatments-she attributes the condition of her spine to either this sickness and/or genetics); however, she was admitted and went into active service in June, 1944.

She completed basic training in six weeks at Fort Des Moines, Iowa. In her unit of 110 women, there were only two Jewish women. Helen was friends with a black sergeant, but explained that this sergeant was not allowed to live in the barracks due to the fact that she was African-American. The women in Helen's unit were very respectful of her Judaism, and would even participate in the celebration of Jewish holidays.

Helen was stationed in Europe between December 1944 and April 1946. She was in Women's Air Transport Command, in which she served as a clerk typist and arranged for transport. This work involved the shipment of ambulatory and litter cases (C54 and C47s, not combat planes). They transported patients, not arms, despite their lack of medical training. Helen was frequently called upon due to her knowledge of shorthand, which she had learned in high school. Eventually, she was ranked as a sergeant and received several decorations for her service.

Helen met her husband, David Goldenberg (d. 1986), through the contact of a mutual friend. Their correspondence began due to the fact that David had expressed surprise that a woman was in the military. Helen and David did not meet in person, but continued their correspondence throughout their military service; David served in the infantry in Europe. In 1946, after over two years of exchanging letters (Helen notes that the two never wanted to exchange photographs), David came to Cleveland to meet Helen. They married in 1947 and had two children: William and Susan.

Under the G.I. Bill, both Helen and David Goldenberg attended college at Bucknell University in Bucknell, PA. Helen received a degree in psychology and political science, and David received a master's in chemical engineering. They returned to Cleveland to live, where Helen worked as executive director of the Cancer Society of Lake County and David worked as a chemical engineer for Industrial Rayon Corporation.

From the guide to the Goldenberg World War II Papers and Photographs, 1944-1968, (Western Reserve Historical Society)