Born Friedrich

Born, Friedrich Friedrich Born, a Swiss citizen working for the International Committee of the Red Cross in Budapest, began taking personal initiatives to save Jewish lives in occupied Hungary in 1944. He is especially noted for saving 6,000 Jewish children placed in homes under the protection of the International Red Cross. Under Born’s leadership, two sections dealing with children were established: Section A, placed under the leadership of the Zionist leader, Otto Komoly; Section B, under Reverend Gabor Sztehlo* (see Hungary) of the Good Shepherd Committee. Born also established Section T – Transportation unit, engaged in relief, rescue and resistance operations. Thus, Born helped rescue thousands of Jews from death camps and supplied children’s homes and the people in the ghetto with food, medicine and fuel. Hospitals, public kitchens, homes for the aged and handicapped, as well as many other public institutions were identified by big signs on which was written: “under the protection of the International Committee of the Red Cross.” Born was responsible for that, together with his associates. He also negotiated with the authorities on behalf of the Jews and thanks to his efforts, protective letters issued by the Vatican and foreign Legations were recognized, as were the extraterritorial status of institutions and buildings protected by the International Red Cross. Various witnesses attested to the remarkable efforts made by Born to help protect the innocent and oppressed. One of the witnesses, Hanzi Brand mentioned that Born indeed risked his life to help Jews. On January 4, 1987, Yad Vashem recognized Friedrich Born as Righteous Among the Nations.