World War I dog tags worn by a Jewish soldier
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 2.000 inches (5.08 cm) | Width: 2.750 inches (6.985 cm)
Archival History
The dog tag was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2015 by Marlyse Levy Kennedy.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Marlyse Levy Kennedy
Scope and Content
World War I dog tags issued to Alfred Levy for his service in the German Army during the First World War (1914-1918). Alfred, a judge, his wife Marie, and their children Marie-Louise and Theo moved from the Saar region when it voted to reunify with Germany in 1935. They resettled in Luxembourg which was occupied by Germany in May 1940. Restrictions were placed on the Jewish population to segregate them from other citizens and Marie-Louise, 15, had to leave school. In December 1940, the family was deported to Vichy France, and escaped the internment camps to live in Villefranche-de-Rouergue. In November 1942, after Germany occupied Vichy, a neighbor informed upon the Levy family. In 1943, Alfred was notified by the French resistance that he was in danger of arrest. He went into hiding, and was arrested while visiting his family, and then released with the help of a French police office. The entire family went into hiding until the region was liberated in fall 1944. In 1946, they returned to Saar.
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Oval dog tag with two holes at the top. Tag is engraved with the name Alfred Levy as well as other identifying information, including the name of the German district of Fraulautern Saarlouis, the date “15 11 88”, the words/numbers “Ers. Barl J. R. 173, K Nr.” The verso is stamped with the following letters and numbers: J R 173, 7 K, and 862.
front, engraved : Alfred Levy / Fraulautern Saarlouis / 15 11 88 / Ers. Barl J. R. 173, K Nr. back, stamped : J R 173, 7 K, and 862
Subjects
- World War, 1914-1918--Participation, Jewish.
- Jews--Persecutions--France--Biography.
- Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)--France--Personal narratives.
- World War, 1914-1918--Military personnel--German--Personal narratives.
- Jewish refugees--France--Biography.
- World War, 1939-1945--Refugees--France--Personal narratives, Jewish.
- Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)--Luxembourg--Personal narratives.
Genre
- Object
- Military Insignia