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21st-Century Monuments Men and Women
Today, the terms "Monuments Men" and "Monuments Women" are ubiquitous references to people around the globe dedicated to the protection of cultural heritage. Professionals and volunteers working to protect cultural property in war zones now often refer to themselves, with pride, as modern-day Monuments Men and/or Women.
The Foundation wants to recognize these courageous individuals who now or in recent past have distinguished themselves for their efforts to preserve and protect cultural heritage, especially those who did so in countries not their own. If you would like to recommend an individual to be added to this list, please write to info @ monumentsmenandwomenfnd.org and provide the relevant information about their sacrifice and service.
US Army Monuments Officers Training (AMOT)
Present day Monuments Men and Women in the U.S. Army are designated as 38G/6V Heritage & Preservation Officers. These cultural heritage professionals are assigned to U.S. Army Reserve units within the US Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command (Airborne).
The modern-day Monuments Men and Women are doctrinally tasked with advising and assisting on the administration and management of all activities regarding cultural heritage assets at the national, regional, and provincial levels. They advise military commanders and staff on meeting the obligations of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. U.S. Army Heritage & Preservation Officers provide technical expertise on the systems and processes for the analysis, assessment, planning, and implementation of systems and methods to preserve and safeguard cultural heritage for the benefit of local indigenous populaces and institutions. They also conduct ethnographic research and engagement in order to promote preservation of culture and cultural heritage.
USACAPOC(A) Director of the 38G/6V Heritage & Preservation program, COL Scott DeJesse stated, officer selections made by the U.S. Army Special Operations Command are based upon an applicant’s education and civilian expertise. These professionals come from career fields such as archaeology, education, collections management, data science, museum operations, art history, fine arts, provenance research, environmental management, and cultural program management.
Through their demonstrated dedication to service in the U.S. Army, today’s uniformed Monuments Men and Women have stepped forward to be a part of the crucial mission of protecting cultural heritage when called upon by their nation.
For more details, check the Army Talent Management website, at this link.
The 2022 graduating class of 21 participants— Army Reserve officers and international experts, included art historians, archivists, data scientists, archeologists, curators, conservators, educators, and legal advisors, among others. Among them:
CPT William Baehr
CPT Sonia Dixon
Capt. Tim Le Berre
CPT Kevin Morrow
CPT Hayden Bassett
SFC David E. Harkleroad
CPT Tyler Douglas Lowe
Capt. Ankie Petersen
SSG Nathan Betcher
CPT Christopher A. King, Ph. D.
SSG Hector Membreno
CPT Jessica L. Wagner
In acknowledgement of his and the Foundation’s work preserving the legacy and honoring the Monuments Men and Women of WWII , Robert Edsel was named an honorary AMOT graduate.
Robert Edsel also delivered the keynote address at the graduation ceremony that took place on August 12, 2022 at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History. To read his remarks, click here.