Sara Shemin Cass - The Ivy Hero: The Brave Life of Sergeant William Shemin

Welcome to The Ivy Hero, the true story of Sergeant William (Bill) Shemin. Our tale will take you back in time over one hundred years and all the way up to present day. Bill Shemin is the grandfather of one of the authors of this book (Sara) and was the first cousin of the grandmother of the other author (Dan).

Bill Shemin was an American soldier who fought in World War I. He was dedicated, fearless, and brave. As you read these pages, you will understand why he is a hero. But what about the ivy part?

Sergeant Shemin fought with the U.S. Armys 4th Division, which is known as the Ivy Division because the Roman Numeral for 4 is composed of an I before a VIVso its nickname is IVY. But theres a more poetic reason as well. The Ivy Divisions motto, mirroring the way the ivy plant itself grows, is steadfast and loyal. After serving in World War I in the Ivy Division, Bill Shemin used the ivy plant as the logo for his tree and plant business. And steadfast and loyal was how he lived his life.

You will meet more than one hero in this story.

In addition to Bill, you will learn about his daughter, Elsie Shemin-Roth. She waged her own battle for many years after Sgt. Shemins death to have the U.S. government award him the Medal of Honor that rightfully should have been awarded him at the time of his service in World War I.

You will also meet Henry Johnson, an African American soldier who, like Bill, fought bravely and heroically in World War Inot far away from the battlefields where Bill fought in France in 1918. Like Bill, Henry Johnsons bravery in saving his fellow soldiers lives went unrecognized with a Medal of Honor in his lifetime, even though his actions certainly called for one.

William Shemin was discriminated against because he was a Jewish American, and there was a pronounced mood of anti-Semitism in the United States in 1918 that is, unfortunately, once again on the rise today. Henry Johnson was discriminated against because he was African American at a time when African Americans were severely discriminated against in the U.S. Army and throughout American life.

Although much progress has been made, racial and religious discrimination have been with American society from the birth of our country to the present day. The struggle for equality and freedom continues, as people try to make the United States a more perfect union. The pain and suffering of war and discrimination run through this story, but it has a hopeful ending. And so much can be learned from the lives and experiences of these heroes!

Before you start reading, there are a few things you should know about the design and organization of this book.

Words that are in bold are defined in the Glossary at .

Special material appearing with its own title in a box with a yellow background is a Sidebar, and provides further insight to the main story in the book.

At , you will find some questions that relate William Shemins life experiences to those of todays young people and studentsyou may find these interesting to think about.

A website for this book provides more information and will be regularly updated: www.TheIvyHero.com. We invite your comments online at the website.

We hope you enjoy the story we have brought to life from our family history as much as we enjoyed writing it.

Sara & Dan

Ivy is not boastful like a rose, but steadfast and sturdy. When you try to cut it down, it simply grows back. The beautiful emerald leaves glisten in the sun and cover the ground with the softness of spring and the resilience to survive the winter. No matter what, ivy is a survivor.

tonya elisha mele,Teacher
William Shemin Midtown Community School

The Ivy Hero

The Brave Life of Sergeant William Shemin

president barack obama
Medal of Honor Ceremony for William Shemin and Henry Johnson,
the white house, 2015