The General: William Levine, Citizen Soldier and Liberator

Levine in his family store in Lake Superior port town of Duluth, Minnesota.

William Levine matriculated from Officer Candidate School as a Second Lieutenant.

Levine had to leave behind his wife Leah to attend basic training. 

Levine attended basic training at Fort Bliss.

Levine's enlistment record indicates he was drafted in August 1942.

Leah Levine kept a diary during the 1943 while Wiliam was in Officer Candidate School.

Levine attended Anti-aircraft Officer Candidate School.

Captain William Levine enjoys a light moment with an artillery buddy.

Levine achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Levine’s 45th Division crossed the Rhine River near Nordheim.

The 1918 Ludendorff Bridge, near Remagen, was captured intact by the U.S. Ninth Armored Division in March 1945. 

Levine served forty months in the regular army.

Levine was permitted to keep as a war souvenir a German Walther 7.65 mm automatic pistol.

Levine acquired a Captured Equipment Certificate for the Walther 7.65 mm pistol he brought back from Europe.

Among Levine’s papers was this U.S. Army medical record of Maurice Pioro, the prisoner Levine had encountered and aided two weeks earlier when he first entered the Dachau camp.

The Dachau Concentration Camp was liberated in April 1945.

The last German POWs held at Dachau were released and left the camp at the end of June 1945.

Following his service in the regular Army, Levine worked as the president of Lakeside Plastics Sales Co. while also serving in the Army Reserves.

Levine spent a great deal of time at Fort Sheridan while serving in the Army Reserves.

Leah Levine is pictured with her children John and Maxine.

In February 1957 Levine assumed command of the 383rd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Gun Battalion, whose key weapon was the M51 Skysweeper.

Brigadier General Levine in olive khakis.

On November 21, 1970, Major General Levine was promoted to commanding officer of the 85th Division (Training).

Levine took command of the 85th Training Division at Fort McCoy in November 1970. 

This page from Levine’s military record shows army service-school courses he took from the 1940s until 1962.

Maj. Gen. William Levine during a training exercise at an undisclosed location.

William Levine was promoted to the rank of Major General in May 1967.

William Levine married Rhoda Kreiter in 1980.

Levine and former Red Army soldier Leon Kotlowsky, who met when U.S. and Soviet troops mingled at the River Elbe in 1945, were reunited at a ceremony for Jewish veterans in Tel Aviv in 1985.

Polish soldier Leon Kotlowsky wrote to William Levine in June 1985.

Memorial book for the deported Jews of Belgium in which Maurice Pioro inscribed a note to William Levine.

Levine reconnected with Maurice Pioro nearly four decades after Levine saved him at Dachau.

The Moriah Congregation in Deerfield, Illinois dedicated this plaque to Levine as thanks for his service to the temple.

Major General William Levine retired from the U.S. Army Reserve in July 1975.

Major General William Levine was awarded the Legion of Merit medal in 1969.

Major General William Levine was awarded the Army Commendation Medal.

Major General William Levine was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. 

Major General William Levine was awarded the European, African, Middle Eastern Campaign Medal for his service during World War II.

Major General William Levine was awarded the World War II Victory Medal.

Major General William Levine Was awarded the Army Occupation Medal with a Germany clasp. 

Major General William Levine was awarded the American Campaign Medal.

Major General William Levine was awarded the Armed Forces Reserves Medal.