Luftwaffe officer's insignia with embroidered silver wire eagle and swastika acquired by a US soldier
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 1.750 inches (4.445 cm) | Width: 3.125 inches (7.938 cm)
Creator(s)
- Harold B. Goldberg (Subject)
Biographical History
Harold B. Goldberg (1922-2011) was born in Brooklyn, New York to Samuel and Rose Goldberg. Samuel and Rose were born in Russia and immigrated to the United States before the birth of their children. Samuel worked as a presser in a tailor shop. Harold had six siblings and the family spoke Yiddish and English at home. As a young adult Harold worked as a mail carrier and attended City College in New York. On December 7, 1941, Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. The following day the United States declared war on Japan, and on December 11, Germany declared war on the United States. On October 31, 1942 Harold was drafted into the U.S. military. He entered the army on October 31, 1942 as a private, and received serial number 32613738. He served in Europe until the end of the war. Harold then returned home to New York where he married his wife Rita in 1952. The family lived in New York for the rest of their lives.
Archival History
The badge was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2013 by the family of Harold Goldberg.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of the family of Harold Goldberg
Funding Note: The cataloging of this artifact has been supported by a grant from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.
Scope and Content
Luftwaffe officer's insignia patch with an embroidered silver bullion thread flying eagle and swastika brought back from the war by Harold Goldberg, an American soldier who served in Europe, circa 1945-1946, during and after World War II. It would be placed on the front crown of an officer's hat or above the right breast pocket of a jacket.
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Conditions Governing Reproduction
No restrictions on use
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Hand embroidered, silver wire Luftwaffe eagle on dark gray wool attached to gray cloth backing, cut into an eagle shaped patch. The eagle is portrayed in left semi-profile, flying right, with wings extended, clutching a mobile swastika in 1 talon.
Subjects
- Jewish soldiers--United States--Biography.
- Souvenirs (Keepsakes)--Soldiers--United States--Biography.
- World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American.
- Soldiers--United States--Biography.
Genre
- Military Insignia
- Object