German Army officer's visor cap insignia with a silver wire oak leaf wreath and cockade acquired by a US soldier
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 1.750 inches (4.445 cm) | Width: 2.625 inches (6.668 cm)
Creator(s)
- Harold B. Goldberg (Subject)
Biographical History
Harold B. Goldberg (1922-2011) was born in Brooklyn, New York to Samuel and Rose Goldberg. Samuel and Rose were born in Russia and immigrated to the United States before the birth of their children. Samuel worked as a presser in a tailor shop. Harold had six siblings and the family spoke Yiddish and English at home. As a young adult Harold worked as a mail carrier and attended City College in New York. On December 7, 1941, Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. The following day the United States declared war on Japan, and on December 11, Germany declared war on the United States. On October 31, 1942 Harold was drafted into the U.S. military. He entered the army on October 31, 1942 as a private, and received serial number 32613738. He served in Europe until the end of the war. Harold then returned home to New York where he married his wife Rita in 1952. The family lived in New York for the rest of their lives.
Archival History
The badge was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2013 by the family of Harold Goldberg.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of the family of Harold Goldberg
Funding Note: The cataloging of this artifact has been supported by a grant from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.
Scope and Content
German Army officer's visor cap badge with a silver bullion wreath and red centered cockade brought back from the war by Harold Goldberg, an American soldier who served in Europe, circa 1945-1946, during and after World War II.
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Conditions Governing Reproduction
No restrictions on use
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Badge consisting of a hand embroidered, silver thread, elliptical double spray of oak leaves with 6 acorns on a black wool oval attached to dark gray, treated cloth backing. Nested within the branches is a cockade, a raised roundel of concentric, silver aluminum wire circles: a beaded outer circle, a wide fluted circle, a small beaded circle, and a red felt center. The wool is trimmed to outline the wreath.
Subjects
- Jewish soldiers--United States--Biography.
- World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American.
- Souvenirs (Keepsakes)--Soldiers--United States--Biography.
- Soldiers--United States--Biography.
Genre
- Military Insignia
- Object