Overview
- Brief Narrative
- 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.
- Date
-
use:
before 1945 May 08
- Geography
-
use:
United States
- Credit Line
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Stephen K. Yasinow
- Markings
- front, top, printed, red ink : VE
front, top, printed, blue ink : CLOSING SCHEDULE / FOR/ SOUTH SEVENTH ST. STORES
front, center, printed, red ink : WHEN VICTORY IN EUROPE / IS DECLARED
front, bottom, printed, blue and red ink : WHEN ANNOUNCED BEFORE 2 P.M. / STORES WILL BE CLOSED ALL DAY / WHEN ANNOUNCED AFTER 2 P.M. / STORES WILL BE CLOSED BALANCE OF THE DAY / AND ALL OF THE NEXT DAY / SOUTH SEVENTH ST. BUSINESS MEN’S ASSOCIATION / JULIUS HOFFMAN, Pres.
front, bottom margin, printed, blue ink : EXCELLENT PRESS 1341 SOUTH 56th STREET TELEPHONE, BELgrade 1383 - Contributor
-
Subject:
Alexander Wurtz
Subject: J. B. Yasinow D.D.S.
Subject: Rose F. Yasinow
- Biography
-
Alexander (Alex) Wurtz was born on March 27, 1916 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to a Jewish couple, Joseph (b. 1851) and Esther (b.1851) Schuchman Wurtz. He had two brothers, Benjamin (b.1911) and Martin (b. 1923), and two sisters, Sarah (b. 1920) and Clara (b. 1908). His parents and two oldest siblings emigrated from Russia in 1913. His father was a furrier and the family spoke Yiddish at home. Alex worked for the Pearl Garment Corporation in Camden NJ and in 1937 he married Dora Kaplan.
Dora was born on September 30, 1917 in Philadelphia, to a Jewish couple, Jacob and Ida Wolf Kaplan. She had an older sister, Rose, who was born in November 1914 in Philadelphia. In 1935, Rose married Dr. J Benjamin Yasinow. Benjamin was born on July 12, 1908, in New York State to a Jewish couple, Philip (1885-1963) and Rosa (1890-1954 later Rose) Polisky Yasinow. He had a younger brother, Errand (b.1910, later Aaron). Benjamin’s parents emigrated from Russia in 1907; the family lived in Buffalo, New York before settling in Philadelphia. His father was a tin smith and later a sheet metal worker in the automobile industry. Benjamin was a dentist and he and Rose had two sons, Franklin and Stephen.
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 January 22, 1944, Alex 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. On May 7, 1945, Germany surrendered to the Allies. Alex 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. Dr. J. Benjamin Yasinow, aged 72, died on October 29, 1979 in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Rose Yasinow, aged 85, died on February 21, 2000 in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Alexander Wurtz, aged 85, died on March 1, 2002 in Palm Beach Florida.
Physical Details
- Language
- English
- Classification
-
Information Forms
- Category
-
Signs and signboards
- Object Type
-
Window cards (lcsh)
- Physical Description
- Off white cardstock sign with printed red and blue text announcing the VE day closing schedule for stores. Centered at the top, in blue ink, is an image of Uncle Sam in forward profile from the waist up with his arm and hand pointed forward. He wears a white top hat with a blue band with white stars inside, a blue vest with white stars, and a blue bowtie. Above each of his shoulders is a diagonal row of planes, flying in line. He is flanked by a red V and E. Below are several lines of red and blue text, with the two largest, boldest lines separated by blue horizontal lines with a row of stars. The print area is surrounded by an ornate blue border. Just below the top edge are two holes, the left is torn vertically to the edge and the right has a light brown 16.5” string looped through it. The back is stained with ink from another copy of the sign and the bottom left edge is creased.
- Dimensions
- overall: Height: 14.000 inches (35.56 cm) | Width: 10.875 inches (27.623 cm)
- Materials
- overall : cardstock, ink, string
Rights & Restrictions
- Conditions on Access
- No restrictions on access
- Conditions on Use
- No restrictions on use
Keywords & Subjects
- Topical Term
- Jewish soldiers--United States. V-E Day, 1945. World War, 1939-1945. Window cards--United States--History.
- Geographic Name
- Philadelphia (Pa.)
- Corporate Name
- United States. Army. Infantry Division, 9th
Administrative Notes
- Legal Status
- Permanent Collection
- Provenance
- The sign was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2011 by Stephen K. Yasinow, the son of Benjamin and Rose Yasinow and nephew of Alexander Wurtz.
- Record last modified:
- 2023-08-25 17:28:53
- This page:
- https://collections.ushmm.org/search/catalog/irn47875
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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
Yellow civilian Deutsche Wehrmacht armband acquired by a US soldier
Object
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.
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.
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.
