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Allied Military Authority currency, 2 francs, for use in France, acquired by a US soldier 2013.442.16 front

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Washington, United States

Allied military currency, 2 francs, issued for use in occupied France acquired by Captain James (Jim) Kirkebo, who served in the United States Army from 1940-1945, including combat duty with the Thunderbolt Division in Europe from December 1944-May 1945. The note was printed by the British and Americans for the June 1944 D-Day invasion. Military currency or occupation money was produced for use by military personnel in occupied territories. The notes for different currencies: lire, francs, kroner, marks, schillings, and yen, had similar designs for ease of production. Kirkebo, 19, enlisted in the US Army in 1940 and, in August 1942, 2nd Lt. Kirkebo became commanding officer, C Company, 21st Armored Infantry Battalion, 11th Armored Division. In December 1944, Kirkebo's unit landed in Normandy, defended Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge, and spearheaded the Allied advance into Germany. Kirkebo received a battlefield promotion to captain on February 1, 1945. On May 5 and 6, soldiers from the 11th Armored liberated Gusen and Mauthausen concentration camps. At Mauthausen, the unit was tasked with caring for 19,000 starving inmates. On May 7, 1945, Germany surrendered. Kirkebo was awarded a Silver Star and 3 Bronze Stars for his leadership and heroism in action.

Allied military currency, 2 francs, issued for use in occupied France acquired by Captain James (Jim) Kirkebo, who served in the United States Army from 1940-1945, including combat duty with the Thunderbolt Division in Europe from December 1944-May 1945. The note was printed by the British and Americans for the June 1944 D-Day invasion. Military currency or occupation money was produced for use by military personnel in occupied territories. The notes for different currencies: lire, francs, kroner, marks, schillings, and yen, had similar designs for ease of production. Kirkebo, 19, enlisted in the US Army in 1940 and, in August 1942, 2nd Lt. Kirkebo became commanding officer, C Company, 21st Armored Infantry Battalion, 11th Armored Division. In December 1944, Kirkebo's unit landed in Normandy, defended Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge, and spearheaded the Allied advance into Germany. Kirkebo received a battlefield promotion to captain on February 1, 1945. On May 5 and 6, soldiers from the 11th Armored liberated Gusen and Mauthausen concentration camps. At Mauthausen, the unit was tasked with caring for 19,000 starving inmates. On May 7, 1945, Germany surrendered. Kirkebo was awarded a Silver Star and 3 Bronze Stars for his leadership and heroism in action.

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  • Title: Allied Military Authority currency, 2 francs, for use in France, acquired by a US soldier 2013.442.16 front
  • Provenance: The currency was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2013 by Jamie Kirkebo, on behalf of the Estate of his father, James Edward Kirkebo., The currency was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2013 by Jamie Kirkebo, on behalf of the Estate of his father, James Edward Kirkebo.
  • Subject Keywords: Soldiers--United States--Biography. World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Western Front--Biography. World War, 1939-1945--Concentration camps--Liberation--Personal narratives. World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American. World War, 1939-1945--Military currency., Soldiers--United States--Biography. World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Western Front--Biography. World War, 1939-1945--Concentration camps--Liberation--Personal narratives. World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American. World War, 1939-1945--Military currency.
  • Type: Exchange Media, Exchange Media
  • Rights: Permanent Collection, Permanent Collection
  • External Link: See the full record at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, See the full record at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
  • Medium: Square 2 france paper currency with a blue-green underprint with a dome flanked by torches with superimposed black wavy lines, and a decorative black border. The denomination 2 is in the 4 inner corners in green ink. The serial number and French text are in the center. The denomination DEUX 2 FRANCS is in the bottom center. The reverse has a red and blue underprint with wavy and distorted lines and a geometric patterned blue border. In the center is a floating French flag with 3 vertical stripes: blue, white, red. Across the bottom of the flagpole is a decorative blue panel with scrollwork flourishes and the French national motto: Liberte Egalite Fraternite. The note is worn and soiled, with a narrow top border., Square 2 france paper currency with a blue-green underprint with a dome flanked by torches with superimposed black wavy lines, and a decorative black border. The denomination 2 is in the 4 inner corners in green ink. The serial number and French text are in the center. The denomination DEUX 2 FRANCS is in the bottom center. The reverse has a red and blue underprint with wavy and distorted lines and a geometric patterned blue border. In the center is a floating French flag with 3 vertical stripes: blue, white, red. Across the bottom of the flagpole is a decorative blue panel with scrollwork flourishes and the French national motto: Liberte Egalite Fraternite. The note is worn and soiled, with a narrow top border.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

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