Nazi Party SS badge for Social Member

Object | Accession Number: 1995.124.7

Overview

Brief Narrative: Button displaying the Nazi party insignia. Worn by all members most likely on the lapel and obtained during Zaro Calabrese's service in Europe in WWII. SS badge for Social Member [Foerdernde Mitglieder]
Credit Line: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Zaro Calabrese
Markings: Foerdernde Mitglieder
Contributor: Subject: Zaro Calabrese
Biography: Rosario "Zaro" Calabrese served as a member of the 3rd US Cavalry Group, which was attached to the 4th Armored Division of the US Army. The 4th Division landed at Utah Beach in Normandy on July 11, 1944 and entered combat in France. They played a significant role in the breakout from the Normandy beachhead and the liberation of France in 1944, and then fought their way through Germany. On April 4, 1945, they liberated Ohrdruf concentration camp, a subcamp of Buchenwald, the first concentration camp to be liberated by American troops. General Eisenhower visited the camp on April 12. When Germany surrendered on May 7, 1945, the Division was in Czechoslovakia. The 4th was placed on occupation duty until inactivated on April 26, 1946. Zaro settled in New Jersey.

Physical Details

Language: German
Classification: Identifying Artifacts
Category: Badges
Object Type: Lapel pins (aat)
Physical Description: Oval-shaped, displaying an "SS" over a swastika and between the letters "FM"
Dimensions: overall: Height: 0.750 inches (1.905 cm) | Width: 0.750 inches (1.905 cm) | Depth: 0.500 inches (1.27 cm)
Materials: overall : metal, enamel, paint
Inscription: Verso, impressed: "A 25337/Ges/Esch/Reschler/ [illegible]"

Rights & Restrictions

Conditions on Access: No restrictions on access
Conditions on Use: No restrictions on use

Administrative Notes

Legal Status: Permanent Collection
Provenance: The Nazi party pin was donated to United States Holocaust Memorial Museum by Zaro Calabrese in 1995.

Record last modified:: 2023-08-31 10:36:10
This page:: https://collections.ushmm.org/search/catalog/irn9026

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The collection consists of Nazi pins and badges acquired by Zaro Calabrese during his military service in Europe during World War II (1939- 1945).

Date: 1936-1945

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