US Army 69th Infantry Division patch worn by a Jewish emigre soldier
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 2.750 inches (6.985 cm) | Width: 2.250 inches (5.715 cm)
Archival History
The patch was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2016 by Arona Pistiner.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Arona Pistiner
Scope and Content
US Army 69th Infantry Division patch worn by Josef Pistiner during his World War II service. The patch has the number 69 in the national colors, red, white, and blue. Josef left Berlin, Germany, with his parents Aron and Tauvbe and brother Max in 1939 for the United States. Nicknamed the Fighting 69th, tbe Division landed in Le Havre, France, on January 24, 1945, and advanced through France and Belgium into Germany. On April 19, 1945, the Division captured Leipzig. Unit troops discovered Leipzig-Thekla concentration camp, a subcamp of Buchenwald. Germany surrendered on May 7, 1945, and the Division remained on occupation duty until their return to the US on September 13, 1945.
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Rectangular military patch machine embroidered on white netting with interlocked stylized numbers: a red 6 on the left and a blue 9 on the right. The numbers are separated by a narrow white line and the patch is bordered in white.
Corporate Bodies
- United States. Army. Infantry Division, 69th
Subjects
- Soldiers--United States--Biography.
- World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives.
- Jewish soldiers--United States--Biography.
- Jewish refugees--United States--Biography.
Genre
- Military Insignia
- Object