Julien David Saks

Chemical engineer, attorney, colonel, loving father, grandfather, and husband, Julien David Saks was born in Anniston, Alabama to Amelia Judah Rice and Joseph Saks.

Julien grew up in Anniston, Alabama and earned his BS degree from Georgia Tech, graduating with Highest Honors at the age of 19.

In 1930, Col. Saks and two others wrote “Synthesis in Diphenyl Series II”, a nationally acclaimed report read before the American Chemists Society. In 1933, Col. Saks passed the Alabama Bar Exam and began to practice law. Soon afterwards, he entered the real estate business. On August 6, 1941, he married Lucy-Jane Watson, with whom he lived happily for 52 years.

Saks entered World War II as a First Lieutenant and became chemical warfare officer of the 12th Armored Division. In Europe, Col. Saks and the 12th Armored Division liberated Colemar and 11 of Dachau’s satellite concentration camps near Landsberg, Germany. He and his division spearheaded General Patton’s drive to the Rhine River, captured a bridge over the Danube River, and played a major role in the closing of the Brenner Pass.

Saks received the Liberation of Colmar Medal from the French government, the Bronze Star, the European Theatre of Operation medal with three campaign stars, the Pre-Pearl Harbor medal, the Occupation of Germany medal, and the World War II medal. After the war, he was instrumental in sending pictures and affidavits to Holocaust Museums around the world documenting the Holocaust.

After the war, Col. Saks earned his MBA in economic statistics from the University of Alabama. He was the master of the Anniston Lodge Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and President of Congregation Beth-El in Anniston. He was the adjunct of the American Legion Post Number 26 and a member of Posts 40 and 8. Saks was the Regional Holocaust charman of the Jewish War Veterans. He was awarded a commendation by the Jewish Community Council for the work that he did.

He was the author of “Are Introductions That Important?” published in Toastmasters International Magazine, “Indescribable Horror,” published in the Rosh Hashana Edition of the Jewish Herald Voice and “In the Beginning,” a book relating evoluation to Biblical Creation.