US Army 71st Infantry Division shoulder sleeve patch with a blue 71 on a red rimmed white circle

Identifier
irn35156
Language of Description
English
Alt. Identifiers
  • 2004.749.14
Level of Description
Item
Source
EHRI Partner

Extent and Medium

overall: | Diameter: 2.500 inches (6.35 cm)

Archival History

The badge was acquired by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2004.

Acquisition

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection

Scope and Content

Shoulder sleeve insignia, 71st Infantry Division, United States Army, nicknamed the Red Circle, of the type used during World War II. The circular badge features a blue 71 on a white circle with a red border, the national colors. The Unit was activated in 1943 and fought in France and Germany in 1945. While advancing through northern Austria to rendezvous with Soviet forces, the Unit liberated Gunskirchen, a subcamp of Mauthausen concentration camp, on May 5th and 6th. Troops found 15,000 ill and starving prisoners in the camp, which had been abandoned by the SS guards on May 4th. The 71st ordered the nearby town to provide food and water for the liberated inmates. The Division continued on to Linz to meet with the Soviet Army before Germany surrendered on May 7, 1945. The Unit was assigned to the Army of Occupation until its return to the United States and inactivation in March 1946.

Conditions Governing Access

No restrictions on access

Conditions Governing Reproduction

No restrictions on use

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Circular, machine embroidered military patch on white net backing with a white field with an embroidered red border. In the center are slanted blue Arabic numerals, 7 and 1, which touch the border. There is slight staining on the back.

Corporate Bodies

Subjects

Genre

This description is derived directly from structured data provided to EHRI by a partner institution. This collection holding institution considers this description as an accurate reflection of the archival holdings to which it refers at the moment of data transfer.