Raoul Wallenberg
Sweden

The chance for a future was secured for tens of thousands of Jews in Budapest through the efforts of Raoul Wallenberg. He arrived

To see a larger view, click the invitation to the dedication ceremony above.

in Budapest in July, 1944 charged with a single mission; to save as many of Hungary's Jews as possible. Brazen and cunning in his methods, Wallenberg stood on the deportation platforms, claiming Swedish protection for thousands destined for the death camps. To thwart the deportations, he established an elaborate intelligence network. Documents such as the "Schutzpass" protective letters were manufactured and placed in the police files of the deportees. As an outraged diplomat, Wallenberg challenged the Hungarian authorities to release those who held Swedish protective letters.

In November 1944, a plan was devised to deal with the "Jewish Question" in Budapest. Ferencz Szalasi, the Hungarian Fuehrer of the Arrow Cross Party, decreed that all Jews of Budapest, then estimated at 100,000, were to be moved to a central ghetto. Wallenberg quickly rented 32 large buildings and placed them under the protection of the Swedish Embassy. Wallenberg's leadership inspired other neutral countries, and the International Ghetto, a safe haven was established. It came to house approximately 15,000 Jews.

In December 1944 the Russians began their assault on Budapest; liberation from German and Hungarian persecution was at hand for Hungary's surviving Jewish population. Though the fighting continued, the Central Ghetto was opened in January 1945. His job not yet finished, Wallenberg set about securing food and protection for his dependents from the Russian command. On January 13 he formally requested protection and was referred to a Major Demchenko. Four days later he told several of his co-workers he was on his way to meet with Major Demchenko. With an acute instinct developed over the past months, he departed with these words, "Whether as a guest or prisoner...I do not know."

Raoul Wallenberg disappeared on January 17, 1945. It is estimated that through his efforts about 10,000+ Jews were saved.