Samuel Dreben was truly an amazing man. Coming from a rough background,

facing Russian antisemetism as a child, he would move to America, and use his

talents to better his situation. He would become one of the chief mercenaries in

the banana wars.

     He was born in Poltava, Ukraine, on June 1, 1878, and went to England in 1896.

By January 1899, he had immigrated to America. At the age of twenty, he enlisted

in the United States Army, and fought in the Spanish-American War, the Boxer

Rebellion, and the Philippine Insurrection. An interesting point is that at his point,

he attempted to Join the Japaneese army to avenge Russian anti semitism.

     In 1907, he aided the rebels in the Honduran Rebellion, to help restore the

old president to power. Later, he fought in WW1 in the Texas 141st infantry division.

General Pershing prasied Dreben as"the finest soldier and one of the bravest men"

he had ever known. Pershing chose him to be one of the honor guard at the funeral

of the Unknown Soldier. Died as a successful insurance salesman in Los Angeles

in March of 1925.
 

Sam Dreben Depicted in WW1