Congressional Gold Medal Awarded to WWII Veteran and Nuremberg Prosecutor

Benjamin Ferencz, a 102-year-old Holocaust survivor, receives the nation's highest civilian honor.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 5:09am

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An extreme close-up of an elderly man's hands holding an ornate medal, with the hands and medal bathed in warm, golden light and surrounded by deep shadows, conceptually representing the reverence and significance of this prestigious award.The Congressional Gold Medal, the nation's highest civilian honor, recognizes the lifelong dedication of a WWII veteran who helped bring Nazi war criminals to justice.West Palm Beach Today

U.S. Representative Lois Frankel joined bipartisan House leaders, Holocaust survivors, and representatives from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Benjamin Berell Ferencz, a 102-year-old WWII veteran and the last surviving Nuremberg prosecutor.

Why it matters

Ferencz's life and work have had a profound impact on international law and the pursuit of justice for victims of genocide. Awarding him the Congressional Gold Medal, the nation's highest civilian honor, recognizes his lifelong dedication to human rights and accountability for war crimes.

The details

Ferencz served in the U.S. Army during WWII and later became the chief prosecutor for the United States in the Einsatzgruppen trial, one of the 12 military tribunals held by the U.S. authorities in Nuremberg, Germany after the war. He went on to advocate for the establishment of the International Criminal Court and worked tirelessly to bring war criminals to justice.

  • Ferencz received the Congressional Gold Medal on April 14, 2026.

The players

Benjamin Berell Ferencz

A 102-year-old WWII veteran and the last surviving Nuremberg prosecutor, known for his lifelong dedication to human rights and accountability for war crimes.

Lois Frankel

U.S. Representative who joined the ceremony to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Ferencz.

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

The national institution in the United States that preserves the memory of the Holocaust.

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What they’re saying

“Benjamin Ferencz's unwavering commitment to justice and human rights has left an indelible mark on the world. This Congressional Gold Medal is a well-deserved recognition of his extraordinary life and legacy.”

— Lois Frankel, U.S. Representative

The takeaway

At 102 years old, Benjamin Ferencz's receipt of the Congressional Gold Medal serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of pursuing justice and accountability for the most heinous crimes against humanity, even decades after they occur.