Stefanie San Filippo, an MTHS AP United States History teacher and advisor to the school's award-winning History Club, has been selected as a researcher in the prestigious National History Day [NHD] Silent Heroes Series. Working in collaboration with the American Battle Monuments Commission [ABMC], this NHD initiative selects educators to conduct in-depth research into the lives of military heroes — specifically those who served during World War I, World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War. The Silent Hero Series particularly focuses on veterans who are buried or memorialized in American military cemeteries around the world.
San Filippo's Silent Heroes focus is to develop a comprehensive profile of U.S. Army Private Henry A. Dziura. Dziura, a member of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division, was raised in Trenton, New Jersey. The Private lost his life during World War II and is buried at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, France.
"I am conducting extensive research into Dziura’s life, as well as the pivotal role Trenton, and all of New Jersey, played in the war-time production efforts of World War II,” San Filippo explained.
MTHS Media Specialist Jennifer Keneally is assisting San Filippo, with the in-depth research. To achieve a thorough profile, San Filippo and Keneally are utilizing resources such as Ancestry Classroom, historical archives, databases, newspapers and military records. The detailed profile includes research into life in New Jersey during the 1930s and 1940s. Tracing the movements of the famed 101st Airborne Division from their stateside training to their involvement in the D-Day Invasion is also included in the profile.
"This opportunity is especially meaningful to me," San Filippo said, noting that she has a personal passion for World War II history and a special interest in Easy Company, a company which has been widely documented in both literature and film.
As part of the program, San Filippo and other educators in the series meet monthly with historians and research specialists to refine research skills. By April 2025, each educator will submit their research profiles, which will be featured on NHD's Silent Heroes website in summer 2025.
The Silent Heroes Series of profiles will also be shared with the American Battle Monuments Commission for inclusion in their educational resources and materials.