2 place ribbon bar, War Merit Cross 2nd class with swords and Eastern Front ribbons acquired by a US soldier
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 0.750 inches (1.905 cm) | Width: 1.875 inches (4.763 cm) | Depth: 0.250 inches (0.635 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 ribbon bar 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 bar pin with 2 ribbons: War Merit Cross 2nd class with crossed swords pin [Kleine Ordensschnallen] and an Eastern Front ribbon (Ostmedaille] brought back from the war by Harold Goldberg, an American soldier who served in Europe, circa 1945-1946, during and after World War II. The War Merit Cross 2nd class with swords was awarded after 1939 to military personnel for bravery, though not necessarily in combat. The Eastern or Russian Front medal, introduced on May 26, 1942, was awarded to participants of the first winter campaign of Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union launched in June 1941.
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Conditions Governing Reproduction
No restrictions on use
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Small, rectangular, silver colored bar pin covered by 2 grosgrain, vertically striped ribbons stitched together along the short ends. The left ribbon has 5 stripes: red, white, wide black, white, red, with a bronze washed, silver colored metal crossed sword pin, hilts down, on the black stripe. The right ribbon has 5 stripes: wide red, narrow white, medium black, narrow white, wide red. Gray wool is adhered to the back and there is a straight pin and C clasp. It is discolored, with signs of wear.
Subjects
- World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American.
- Jewish soldiers--United States--Biography.
- Soldiers--United States--Biography.
- Souvenirs (Keepsakes)--Soldiers--United States--Biography.
Genre
- Military Insignia
- Object