This American soldier saved Charlemagne’s cathedral in World War II

This American Soldier Saved Charlemagne’s Cathedral in World War II

As the city of Aachen, once the seat of Emperor Charlemagne’s power, lay in ruins during World War II’s harshest winter, an American soldier worked alongside German civilians to protect its ancient cathedral. Walter Johan Huchthausen from Perry, Oklahoma, dedicated himself to preventing the building from collapsing and ensured its preservation for future generations.

Early Life and Education

Huchthausen was the son of a German immigrant and a promising architect. He earned a Master’s degree from Harvard and gained professional experience working in New York and Boston. Later, he became an assistant professor of architecture at the University of Minnesota.

Connection to Germany

His German heritage was deeply important to him. Before the war, he studied in Germany on a Harvard fellowship and became fluent in the language while collaborating with German museum experts. This cultural and linguistic connection played a crucial role in his later work with the U.S. Army Monuments Men, who were responsible for preserving historical artifacts during the war.

Military Service

When World War II began, 38-year-old Huchthausen volunteered for military service in 1942, joining the U.S. forces. Although his time in the U.S. Army Air Forces was brief, his architectural expertise and cultural knowledge made a significant impact.

"Walter Huchthausen strove tirelessly to stop the building from collapsing and ensured it would be preserved as it is today."

His efforts helped save the cathedral in Aachen, preserving an important symbol of European history amid the destruction of war.

Summary: Walter Huchthausen combined his architectural skill and German heritage to protect Aachen’s historic cathedral during WWII, securing its legacy amid devastation.

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Military Times — 2025-11-08