Hiram
Binghmam IV
(c.
1946)
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A
Distinguished Diplomat
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"He
[Bingham] has a heart of gold.
He does everything he can to help us, within
American law."
Varian
Fry
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But
No Hero of the Holocaust
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We have been
made aware of a communication (dated March 7, 2005)
transmitted by Yad Vashem to the Bingham family that we
believe to be (and to represent) the final outcome of
this complex case. That communication that is presented
in full at the bottom of this page, represents, in our
considerate view, a fair and balanced assessment of Harry
Bingham's deeds during the darkest hours of the
20th Century History.
In a nutshell,
Yad Vashem, after considering this matter for some
seven (7) years, rejected Eric Saul's
Petition for awarding Hiram Bingham IV with the
"Righteous Among the Nations" title. Yad Vashem's
judgment is in fact identical to the one encapsulated so
eloquently by the American National Hero of the
Holocaust, Varian Fry
--the only American, to date, to be awarded with the
"Righteous" title.
The reason for
Yad Vashem's rejection of the Righteous title for Bingham
IV can be explained in simple terms as follows: Bingham
IV during his consular activity in Marseille by not
opposing and in fact fully cooperating with Varian Fry's
operation made Bingham IV a clear sympathizer and a
facilitator, but not a rescuer! And that paramount
distinction is at the crux of understanding this entire
decision rendered by Yad Vashem.
Robert Kim
Bingham often compared his dad to Oskar Schindler. (See,
for instance, Mr. Bingham article of
May 24, 1998, published in The Day
newspaper of New London, Connecticut, USA, entitled
Remembering Salem's "Schindler" (Exhibit 04_Schindler,
hereto). For sure the two men, Schindler and Bingham IV,
had one thing in common: they were both womanizers. But
Schindler, unlike Bingham IV, was a rescuer of Jews
and that is way Schindler was awarded with the "Righteous
Among the Nations" title and Bingham IV was
not.
In our herein
concurring study to Vad Yashem's rendered opinion, we
stated all along, that the late Hiram "Harry" Bingham IV
was a good man during evil times and may his goodness be
an inspiration and an example for others to follow in
trying times. But his goodness and sympathy for Varian
Fry's crusade can never ever be translated into a hero of
the Holocaust which Bingham IV clearly was
not.
May he rest in
peace.
K. K.
Brattman
Managing
Editor
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The
Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance
Authority
Jerusalem,
7 March, 2005
Dear Mrs. Bingham-Endicott,
The
Commission for the Designation of the
Righteous, after examining all the
elements in this interesting case, wishes
to express its appreciation for the
behavior of your late father, Hiram
Bingham IV, in facilitating the emigration
of Jewish persons from France, during
1940-41, when your father served in the
U.S. consulate in Marseilles.
The
Commission was impressed by your father's
positive and friendly disposition to all
who approached him for obtaining visas to
the USA, and especially to Mr. Varian Fry,
and for his efforts to obtain these visas
through diplomatic channels. This included
facilitating the exit of Mr. Lion
Feuchtwanger and his wife from France,
after a visa was received for them through
the intervention of Mrs. Eleanor
Roosevelt, wife of the
President.
Yad
Vashem wishes to express its thanks for
the humanitarian disposition of your
father at a time of persecution of Jews by
the Vichy regime in France. Hiram
Bingham's assistance in this regard stands
out by contrast to certain other officials
who rather acted suspiciously toward
Jewish refugees wishing to enter the
United States. Please be assured that your
father's positive behavior, which has been
richly documented, will remain inscribed
in our archives for the benefit of future
generations.
With
best wishes to you and to the other
members of the Bingham family.
Sincerely
yours,
s/
...Yad Vashem
File
#10404
P.O.B.
3477, JERUSALEM 91034
TEL. 02-6443400 FAX. 02-6443443
02-6443443
www.yadvashem.org
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Editor's
Note: Abigail
Bingham Endicott,
daughter of the late Hiram Bingham IV, acknowledged to
us (in her April 5, 2005, email) receiving
from Yad Vashem the above posted determination letter
and, thanked us for the kind words that we have placed
herein.
Postscript of May
30, 2006:
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On
May 30, 2006, the United States Postal Service
released a series of six commemorative stamps
honoring "Distinguished American Diplomats,"
among them Hiram Bingham IV. The six
diplomats were chosen for their contributions to
international relations, not only as negotiators
and administrators, but also as trailblazers,
shapers of policy, peacemakers, and
humanitarians.
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Bingham IV
for sure was a distinguished diplomat (but no
hero of the Holocaust) and, as we have noted
above, may he "be an inspiration and an example
for others to follow in trying
times."
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