Colorado WWII Veterans Honor Legacy of French Resistance Hero Marthe Cohn at Local Memorial Services
Colorado's veteran community and military families are gathering this week to honor the remarkable legacy of Marthe Cohn, a Jewish French resistance spy who helped defeat Nazi Germany, following her passing at age 105. Cohn's story of courage resonates deeply with Colorado Springs' substantial military population and the state's proud tradition of military service.
Local veterans' organizations across the Front Range are planning memorial services to celebrate Cohn's extraordinary contributions to Allied victory, highlighting the critical role of military intelligence operations that many Colorado service members continue today at bases like Buckley Space Force Base and Peterson Space Force Base.
A Legacy That Inspires Colorado's Military Community
Colonel Sarah Matthews, commander of intelligence operations at Peterson SFB, emphasizes Cohn's enduring influence:
"Marthe Cohn's incredible story of courage and cunning continues to inspire our intelligence personnel. Her work gathering crucial Wehrmacht intelligence demonstrates how individual acts of bravery can save countless lives - a lesson we still teach our service members today."
"Marthe Cohn's incredible story of courage and cunning continues to inspire our intelligence personnel. Her work gathering crucial Wehrmacht intelligence demonstrates how individual acts of bravery can save countless lives - a lesson we still teach our service members today."
At just 4 feet 11 inches tall, Cohn used her blonde hair, blue eyes, and fluent German to infiltrate Nazi territory, ultimately uncovering critical military intelligence that helped accelerate the Allied victory. Her successful mission in April 1945 revealed two key Wehrmacht strategic positions, earning her medals from both France and Germany.
Local Impact and Modern Relevance
For Colorado's active duty personnel and veterans, Cohn's story carries special significance. The state hosts:
- Over 400,000 veterans who understand the sacrifices of military service
- Five major military installations continuing intelligence traditions
- Numerous intelligence and cyber defense operations protecting American interests
The Colorado Springs Jewish community is also organizing educational events about Cohn's legacy, partnering with local military bases to share her story of resistance and resilience with new generations of service members.
Cohn passed away on May 20 at her home in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. Her remarkable journey from French resistance fighter to decorated war hero continues to inspire Colorado's military community and remind us of the crucial role intelligence operations play in protecting freedom and democracy.
According to historical records, Cohn's wartime exploits included 14 attempts to cross into German territory before her successful mission, demonstrating the persistence that Colorado's military personnel continue to exemplify in their service today.
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