Syracuse University celebrates the recognition of 1924 alumnus, William Shemin, who will receive his long-deserved Medal of Honor–the nation’s highest military decoration for valor—for conspicuous gallantry during World War I on June 2, in a White House ceremony. President Barack Obama will present the medal to Shemin’s daughter, Elsie Shemin-Roth ’51, who was instrumental in ensuring her father’s service and valor were recognized.
Shemin, who was stationed in Syracuse prior to deploying to France, returned to pursue studies at Syracuse University in 1919 and graduated in 1924. During his studies at SU, he was also a member of the Syracuse University football and lacrosse teams. Many of Shemin’s descendants have attended Syracuse University, some of which include his son, Emmanuel “Manny” Shemin ‘52, who served as a University Trustee, his daughters Elsie Shemin Roth ’51 and Ina Shemin-Bass ’53, his granddaughter, Leslie Shemin-Lester ’84, who currently serves on the College of Visual and Performing Arts Deans Advisory Council, and his great-grandson William Cass ’08, who is co-chair of the university’s Metro New York Leadership Council.
To our knowledge, William Shemin is Syracuse University’s first and only graduate to earn the Medal of Honor. Information on his courageous action is available at http://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/shemin/. President Obama’s announcement of William Shemin as the nation’s newest Medal of Honor recipient is posted at https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/05/14/president-obama-award-medal-honor. A more in-depth story can be found here.