Memorial

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Pfc Abraham Matza enlisted in New York City, New York on 14 July 1943.

He was born in a traditional Romaniote (Greek) Jewish family, living in the Bronx at the time of Abraham's enlistment. Both of his parents were born in Ioannina, Greece. Pfc Matza lost many of his family in Auschwitz concentration camp.

According to testimony of Jose Longoria, born in Texas, Sgt Matza saved his life on 6 January 1945 at the Battle of the Bulge. Their position was being overrun by the advancing German Army. Sgt Matza was shot in the leg and could not pull back. He had a BAR (Browning Automatic Rifle). He told Jose to fall back. Jose refused. Sgt Matza ordered him to fall back. Jose then retreated. The next morning the American Army regained their previous position. Jose went to look for his friend. He found Matza's body with about 20 -30 bayonet wounds in him. He also found about 40 enemy dead all around Sgt Matza.

Another eyewitness account came from William W. Hitchcock, 1st Scout 3rd Platoon, C Co 1st Bn 289th Infantry Regiment, 75th Infantry Division:
"One soldier, I was told later Abraham Matza, who was hit in the leg, was told to crawl back towards the firebreak. He told his Sgt that it was a slight wound and that he would cover the platoons withdraw as he was a browning automatic man and the platoon would need this fire power....Pfc Matza gave his life protecting the men of the Second Platoon and he took a heavy toll of Germans before they got to him."