The story of The Suitcase doesn’t end with the final page.

On Thursday, October 23, 2025, more than sixty years after his death and eighty years after his involvement in World War II, Vladimir George Taussig has been formally recognized by the Minister of Defence of the Czech Republic for his extraordinary courage and service.

At a ceremony held at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Washington, D.C., before a distinguished audience of ambassadors, military officials, and press (with whom Taussig would’ve felt right at home), Suitcase co-author Deborah Taussig-Boehner, accepted the Cross of State Defence of the Minister of Defence of the Czech Republic on behalf of her late father.

The Cross of State Defence is one of the Czech Republic’s highest honors, awarded only in exceptional cases to soldiers and citizens who have demonstrated heroism in combat or made extraordinary contributions to the defense of the nation and the preservation of human life. 

A moving letter accompanying the award reads, in part: “With this award, I pay tribute to a man whose life story is a testimony of courage, honesty and a deep sense of responsibility towards his country, and whose fate should not be forgotten. When totalitarian ideologies began to devour Europe and Czechoslovakia’s recently-gained freedom and independence dissolved again, he retained a strong moral conviction and determination to defend freedom wherever it was needed–for example, in the Far East, where he led the creation of a Czechoslovak unit within the British battalion of the Shanghai Volunteer Corps. This unit was not only of military but also political importance. It was proof that the Czechoslovaks were actively involved in the joint struggle of the Allies far beyond the borders and never reconciled themselves to the occupation of their homeland.

“By awarding the Cross of National Defence, I pay tribute not only to a soldier, but also to a man who, through his service to his homeland, contributed to the international recognition of the Czechoslovak resistance, and whose attitudes and deeds are still an inspiration for us today.”

This recognition underscores the real-life heroism at the heart of The Suitcase and Taussig’s continued attempts, despite his own flaws and unimaginable challenges, to do what he felt was right rather than what would have been easy. His bravery, leadership, and sacrifice continue to inspire those who read about his journey—and those who carry his memory forward.

As readers discover in The Suitcase, Captain X’s life was defined not just by duty, but by compassion, conviction, and an unbreakable spirit. This award serves as a lasting tribute to that legacy. We, the authors, are immeasurably grateful for this recognition, which we find especially poignant and timely as our own future continues to unfold.