FIU Law alumnus Willard Shepard played a key role in bringing to life the Emmy-nominated documentary Untold Valor: The Remarkable Story of a 105-Year-Old Jewish WWII Veteran. The feature, produced by Miami’s Community News, tells the powerful story of Sgt. Daniel Jacobson, a World War II veteran who played a role in liberating Holocaust survivors and later guarded Adolf Hitler’s residence after the dictator’s defeat.
In the documentary, Shepard highlights Jacobson’s remarkable act of defiance, using Hitler’s personal stationery to write love letters to his wife, transforming a symbol of hate into one of resilience and hope. The story has resonated widely, earning Miami’s Community News a nomination from the Suncoast Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
Reflecting on the experience, Shepard noted the lasting impact of Jacobson’s legacy: “Jacobson’s message is one for the ages. With a stroke of a pen, he taught Adolf Hitler—and those who think like him, that hatred and racism will never win.”
With a distinguished career in journalism, law, and military service, Shepard continues to use his platform to share meaningful stories that preserve history and inspire future generations.