Herbert C. Durkee papers
- Date
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1945-1953
- Language
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English
- Extent
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4 folders
3 oversize folders
- Credit Line
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Elizabeth L. Durkee
The papers consist of signatures, letters, photographs, and other documents associated with the Nuremberg Trial of Major German War Criminals and with Herbert C. Durkee donor's husband, an American military officer in charge of security at the Nuremberg Trial.
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Record last modified: 2018-02-12 10:24:31
This page: https://collections.ushmm.org/search/catalog/irn521914
Also in Herbert C. Durkee collection
The collection consists of a handkerchief, documents, photographs, and signatures relating to the experiences of Herbert C. Durkee after World War II when he served as a guard at the International Military Tribunal in Nuremberg, Germany.
Date: 1945 August-1953
Plaid handkerchief monogrammed HG given by Hermann Goering to an American guard at Nuremberg
Object
Handkerchief embroidered HG and given by Hermann Goering to Herbert C. Durkee, an American guard at the International Military Tribunal in Nuremberg, Germany, between August 1945 and January 1946. Herbert guarded Goering and helped him control his drug dependency to paracodeine. Goering gave Durkee the handkerchief, one of his last personal possessions, in appreciation of Durkee’s kindness. During the war, 2nd Lt. Durkee was a platoon officer in a field artillery unit and fought in France. The war ended when Germany surrendered on May 7, 1945. In August, 1st Lt. Durkee was transferred to serve as an escort guard with the 6850th Internal Security Detachment at the Major German War Criminals Trial in Nuremberg. Durkee was responsible for guarding the prisoners and escorting them to court. The trial began on November 20. Goering and 23 other defendants were charged with crimes against peace, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and conspiracy to commit those crimes. In January 1946, Durkee completed his service in Nuremberg and returned to the US in March. On October 1, 1946, Goering was convicted on all four counts and sentenced to death. He committed suicide by cyanide on October 15, the night before his execution.
