SS insignia ring taken from a concentration camp guard by inmates to give to a US soldier

Identifier
irn519021
Language of Description
English
Alt. Identifiers
  • 2007.126.2
Level of Description
Item
Source
EHRI Partner

Extent and Medium

overall: Height: 0.875 inches (2.223 cm) | Width: 0.875 inches (2.223 cm) | Depth: 0.500 inches (1.27 cm)

Creator(s)

Biographical History

Robert Hess served in the United State Army during World War II. He was a member of the 92nd Signal Battalion, which arrived at Normandy on July 13, 1944, joined Patton's 3rd Army and fought across Northern France to Germany and Central Europe. He was at Dachau concentration camp near the time of its liberation on April 25, 1945.

Archival History

The signet ring was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2007 by Robert Hess.

Acquisition

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Robert Hess

Scope and Content

Figner ring with the SS dual lightning bolt insignia given to Robert Hess by inmates at the recently liberated Dachau concentration camp. A group of former prisoners took the ring by cutting off the finger of an SS soldier in order to present it as a gift to Hess. Hess was a soldier with the United States 92nd Signal Battalion and was at Dachau around the time of its liberation.

Conditions Governing Access

No restrictions on access

Conditions Governing Reproduction

No restrictions on use

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Circular, silver colored metal ring with a flat, rectangular medallion on top with an embossed design of dual lightning bolts on a black background with white flecks of paint. There are stylized lines engraved up the sides to the top.

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.