WWII art protector to be honored

EASTON, Pa. - Lafayette College is paying tribute to one of the last surviving members of the World War II group known as the Monuments Men.

Lafayette will present an honorary degree to 88-year-old Harry Ettlinger at its commencement ceremony May 24.

The Monuments Men worked to save cultural treasures across Europe that had been seized by the Nazis. Ettlinger was a U.S. soldier who helped recover stolen art stored in German salt mines.

George Clooney recently directed and starred in a historically based movie called The Monuments Men.

Ettlinger, who lives in Rockaway, N.J., inspired the film character Sam Epstein, played by Dimitri Leonidas.

Lafayette has about 2,400 students.