Overview
- Brief Narrative
- Yellow civilian Deutsche Wehrmacht [German Army] armband presumably brought back from the war by Alexander Wurtz, a Jewish soldier in the US Army, 351st Infantry Regiment. On January 22, 1944, Alexander was drafted into the United States Army and entered active service on February 12. He joined the 351st Infantry Regiment and fought in the Italian campaign until the war ended in May 1945. He and his unit were then assigned to peace keeping duties in northern Italy. Alex was discharged from the Army on February 8, 1946 and returned to Philadelphia.
- Credit Line
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Stephen K. Yasinow
Physical Details
- Language
- German
- Classification
-
Identifying Artifacts
- Category
-
Armbands
- Object Type
-
Brassards (military armbands) (aat)
- Physical Description
- Rectangular, gold cloth armband with Deutsche Wehrmacht machine embroidered in Gothic script on the front in black thread. The short edges are hemmed and sewn together to form a loop and the edges have rolled hems. It appears unused.
- Dimensions
- overall: Height: 4.250 inches (10.795 cm) | Width: 7.250 inches (18.415 cm)
- Materials
- overall : cloth, thread
- Inscription
- front, embroidered, black thread : Deutsche / Wehrmacht [German / Armed forces]
Rights & Restrictions
- Conditions on Access
- No restrictions on access
- Conditions on Use
- No restrictions on use
Keywords & Subjects
- Topical Term
- Civil defense--Germany--Insignia. World War, 1939-1945--Germany--Equipment and supplies. Souvenirs (Keepsakes)--Soldiers--United States. Soldiers--United States. Jewish soldiers--United States.
- Geographic Name
- Germany--Armed Forces--Insignia.
- Corporate Name
- Germany. Wehrmacht United States. Army. Infantry Division, 9th
Administrative Notes
- Legal Status
- Permanent Collection
- Provenance
- The armband was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2011 by Stephen K. Yasinow, the son of J. Benjamin and Rose Kaplan Yasinow and the nephew of Alexander Wurtz.
- Funding Note
- The cataloging of this artifact has been supported by a grant from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.
- Record last modified:
- 2024-05-03 15:03:23
- This page:
- https://collections.ushmm.org/search/catalog/irn47873
Download & Licensing
In-Person Research
- By Appointment
- Request 21 Days in Advance of Visit
- Plan a Research Visit
- Request to See This Object
Contact Us
Also in Yasinow and Wurtz family collection
The collection consists of signs, an armband, documents, and newspapers relating to the experiences of Dr. J. Benjamin and Rose Kaplan Yasinow in the United States and Alexander Wurtz in the United States Army during and after World War II.
Date: 1942 May 06-1945
Stephen K. Yasinow family papers
Document
Collection of newspapers: from Philadelphia and “Stars and Stripes” publications collected by Dr. J. Benjamin Yasinow and Rose Kaplan Yasinow (donor's parents) and by Alexander Wurtz (donor’s maternal uncle by marriage) who served in the US Army 1944-1945; a scrapbook compiled by Alexander Wurtz during his military service in the US and Italy; the scrapbook contains German military badges; American antisemitic leaflet; store signs expressing mourning after President Roosevelt’s death and many other items.
Victory in Europe (VE) day closing schedule sign acquired by relatives of a US soldier
Object
VE Day store closing schedule sign issued by the South Seventh Street Business Men’s Association acquired by Dr. J Benjamin and Rose Yasinow in 1945 while their brother-in-law, Alexander Wurtz, was serving in Europe. Benjamin was a dentist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941. On January 22, 1944 Alexander was drafted into the United States Army and entered active service on February 12. He joined the 351st Infantry Regiment and fought in the Italian campaign until the war ended in May 1945. He and his unit were then assigned to peace keeping duties in northern Italy. Alex was discharged from the Army on February 8, 1946 and returned to Philadelphia.
Sign announcing store closings due to the death of President Franklin D. Roosevelt acquired by a US soldier
Object
Store closing sign acquired by Dr. J Benjamin and Rose Yasinow in 1945 while their brother-in-law, Alexander Wurtz, was serving in Europe. Benjamin was a dentist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941. On January 22, 1944 Alexander was drafted into the United States Army and entered active service on February 12. He joined the 351st Infantry Regiment and fought in the Italian campaign until the war ended in May 1945. He and his unit were then assigned to peace keeping duties in northern Italy. Alex was discharged from the Army on February 8, 1946 and returned to Philadelphia.
Hotel brochure acquired by a US soldier
Object
Brochure for the Grand Hotel Lago in Italy presumably brought back from the war by Alexander Wurtz, a Jewish soldier in the US Army, 351st Infantry Regiment. On January 22, 1944, Alexander was drafted into the United States Army and entered active service on February 12. He joined the 351st Infantry Regiment and fought in the Italian campaign until the war ended in May 1945. He and his unit were then assigned to peace keeping duties in northern Italy. Alex was discharged from the Army on February 8, 1946 and returned to Philadelphia.
Stars and Stripes [Newspaper]
Object
Issue of US Army newspaper, Stars and Stripes Mediterranean (Combat ed.), with headline: 3 Red Armies Cracking Germany's Borders Along Front Of 200 Miles. Poznan Battle Left 25 Miles Behind. Alexander Wurtz, the soldier who saved this newspaper, marked this front page article with 5 arrows: Italy Front Marked by Patrol Contacts, with a January 29 byline of the Advanced Allied Force Headquarters. He also highlighted the sections about the 351st" Infantry Regiment. On January 22, 1944 Alexander was drafted into the United States Army and entered active service on February 12. He joined the 351st Infantry Regiment and fought in the Italian campaign until the war ended in May 1945. He and his unit were then assigned to peace keeping duties in northern Italy. Alex was discharged from the Army on February 8, 1946 and returned to Philadelphia.
Stars and Stripes [Newspaper]
Object
Issue of US Army newspaper, Stars and Stripes Mediterranean (Combat ed.), with headline: Corregidor's Fall Imminent; Warships Blast Jap Islands. Among front page articles, is this: Intricate Mine System Facing Allies in Italian Fighting. The newspaper was saved by Alexander Wurtz, a Jewish soldier in the US Army. On January 22, 1944, Alexander was drafted into the United States Army and entered active service on February 12. He joined the 351st Infantry Regiment and fought in the Italian campaign until the war ended in May 1945. He and his unit were then assigned to peace keeping duties in northern Italy. Alex was discharged from the Army on February 8, 1946 and returned to Philadelphia.
Stars and Stripes [Newspaper]
Object
Issue of US Army newspaper, Stars and Stripes Mediterranean (Combat ed.), with headline: Fresh Marines Rushed Into Fierce Iwo Battle. The newspaper was saved by Alexander Wurtz, a Jewish soldier in the US Army. On January 22, 1944, Alexander was drafted into the United States Army and entered active service on February 12. He joined the 351st Infantry Regiment and fought in the Italian campaign until the war ended in May 1945. He and his unit were then assigned to peace keeping duties in northern Italy. Alex was discharged from the Army on February 8, 1946 and returned to Philadelphia.
Stars and Stripes [Newspaper]
Object
Issue of US Army Stars and Stripes Mediterranean newspaper with the headline: World Council Plan Okayed. At the bottom of the front page is a handwritten note by Alexander Wurtz marking an article and telling his family that his unit just took over that area. The article is titled: 5th Army Cracking Down on German PWs in Italy with a June 12 byline from the 5th Army enemy concentration area. Over 66,000 German soldiers of 5 surrendered German divisions were sent to this location for processing by the 442nd Regiment combat team. It notes the German's surprise at impersonal, non-preferential treatment, and quotes Col James Fry asst. commander, 85th Division that: Our policy is one of just plain being tough. They'll get nothing from us but groceries and work. The newspaper was saved by Alexander Wurtz, a Jewish soldier in the US Army. On January 22, 1944, Alexander was drafted into the United States Army and entered active service on February 12. He joined the 351st Infantry Regiment and fought in the Italian campaign until the war ended in May 1945. He and his unit were then assigned to peace keeping duties in northern Italy. Alex was discharged from the Army on February 8, 1946 and returned to Philadelphia.
The Blue Devil Newspaper [Newspaper]
Object
Issue of the Blue Devil Newspaper, published by the US Army 88th Infantry Division, with the headline: 88th's Break-Up Slated / De-Activation will come in states at undefined date ; more details expected ; Mission remains same. The newspaper was saved by Alexander Wurtz, a Jewish soldier in the US Army. On January 22, 1944, Alexander was drafted into the United States Army and entered active service on February 12. He joined the 351st Infantry Regiment and fought in the Italian campaign until the war ended in May 1945. He and his unit were then assigned to peace keeping duties in northern Italy. Alex was discharged from the Army on February 8, 1946 and returned to Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) [Newspaper]
Object
Victory Extra issue of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Tuesday morning edition, with the headline: VICTORY Full Surrender Ends War In Europe acquired by Dr. J Benjamin and Rose Yasinow in 1945 while their brother-in-law, Alexander Wurtz, was serving in Europe. Benjamin was a dentist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941. On January 22, 1944 Alexander was drafted into the United States Army and entered active service on February 12. He joined the 351st Infantry Regiment and fought in the Italian campaign until the war ended in May 1945. He and his unit were then assigned to peace keeping duties in northern Italy. Alex was discharged from the Army on February 8, 1946 and returned to Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) [Newspaper]
Object
Peace Extra issue of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Wednesday morning edition, with the headline: WAR ENDS.acquired by Dr. J Benjamin and Rose Yasinow in 1945 while their brother-in-law, Alexander Wurtz, was serving in Europe. Benjamin was a dentist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941. On January 22, 1944 Alexander was drafted into the United States Army and entered active service on February 12. He joined the 351st Infantry Regiment and fought in the Italian campaign until the war ended in May 1945. He and his unit were then assigned to peace keeping duties in northern Italy. Alex was discharged from the Army on February 8, 1946 and returned to Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Record (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) [Newspaper]
Object
Philadelphia Record, Victory Edition, with the headline: WAR IS ENDED IN EUROPE / Nazis Surrender Unconditionally; Tuesday to Be V-E Day in Britain acquired by Dr. J Benjamin and Rose Yasinow in 1945 while their brother-in-law, Alexander Wurtz, was serving in Europe. Benjamin was a dentist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941. On January 22, 1944 Alexander was drafted into the United States Army and entered active service on February 12. He joined the 351st Infantry Regiment and fought in the Italian campaign until the war ended in May 1945. He and his unit were then assigned to peace keeping duties in northern Italy. Alex was discharged from the Army on February 8, 1946 and returned to Philadelphia.
The Day [Newspaper]
Object
VJ Day (Victory in Japan) issue of The Day, the national Jewish daily newspaper, published in Philadelphia and New York acquired by Dr. J Benjamin and Rose Yasinow in 1945 while their brother-in-law, Alexander Wurtz, was serving in Europe. Benjamin was a dentist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941. On January 22, 1944 Alexander was drafted into the United States Army and entered active service on February 12. He joined the 351st Infantry Regiment and fought in the Italian campaign until the war ended in May 1945. He and his unit were then assigned to peace keeping duties in northern Italy. Alex was discharged from the Army on February 8, 1946 and returned to Philadelphia.
