This American soldier saved Charlemagne’s cathedral in World War II
As the city of Aachen, once the seat of Charlemagne’s empire, lay in ruins during one of the harshest winters of World War II, an American soldier worked alongside German civilians to protect its ancient cathedral from destruction.
Walter Huchthausen’s mission to preserve history
Walter Johan Huchthausen of Perry, Oklahoma, devoted himself to preventing the cathedral’s collapse and ensuring its survival. A talented architect and the son of a German immigrant, he demonstrated both technical skill and deep respect for historical heritage.
Academic achievements and professional path
After earning his Master’s degree from Harvard, Huchthausen worked in New York and Boston before becoming an assistant professor of architecture at the University of Minnesota. His creative approach and commitment to historical integrity gained him recognition in his field.
Connection to Germany and cultural ties
Huchthausen valued his German ancestry. Before the war, he studied in Germany on a Harvard fellowship, achieving fluency in the language and collaborating with museum experts. This experience later proved essential to his role as part of the U.S. Army’s Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives unit, dedicated to saving cultural treasures from wartime damage.
Service during the war
In 1942, at age 38, Huchthausen volunteered for military service, joining the U.S. Army Air Forces. His time in uniform was brief, but his impact on cultural preservation during the war remains lasting.
“Walter Huchthausen strove tirelessly to stop the building from collapsing and ensured it would be preserved as it is today.”
Author’s summary
Walter Huchthausen, an American architect and soldier, combined his cultural insight and engineering skill to save Aachen’s cathedral, preserving one of Europe’s oldest monuments for future generations.