Benjamin Cooper of West Hartford, who participated in the liberation of Dachau Concentration Camp in 1945, received a citation at the State Capitol Friday honoring him for his military service and civic engagement.

WWII veteran Benjamin Cooper of West Hartford (seated) receives a citation from Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Sean Connolly (left), and Assistant Adjutant General of the Connecticut National Guard Brigadier General Francis Evon (right). Seated is Holocaust survivor Henny Markiewicz Simon of Colchester. Courtesy photo

Submitted

WWII veteran Benjamin Cooper with Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Sean Connolly. Courtesy photo

On Friday morning, Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman was joined by Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Sean Connolly and Assistant Adjutant General of the Connecticut National Guard Brigadier General Francis Evon presenting a citation in honor of the military service and continued civic engagement of Benjamin Cooper, 95, West Hartford.

Cooper was a combat medic who served with the U. S. Army 45^th Infantry Division Thunderbirds from 1942-1945 and participated in the liberation of Dachau Concentration Camp in April 1945.

Cooper gives talks at schools and community centers throughout the state and shows many of the historic items he collected during his military service, including a yellow Star of David worn by a French Jew during the occupation.

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