Imperial Germany Reichsbanknote, 100 mark, acquired by a US soldier 2013.442.26 front
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Washington, United States
100 mark German bank note, 1908 issue, acquired by Captain James Edward Kirkebo, who served in the US Army from 1940-1945, and fought in Europe with the Thunderbolt Division from December 1944-May 1945. 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.
100 mark German bank note, 1908 issue, acquired by Captain James Edward Kirkebo, who served in the US Army from 1940-1945, and fought in Europe with the Thunderbolt Division from December 1944-May 1945. 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.
- Title: Imperial Germany Reichsbanknote, 100 mark, acquired by a US soldier 2013.442.26 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., 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.
- 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: Rectangular 100 mark paper currency in black and blue ink. The face has an oval patterned background with a narrow, geometric border. In the top center is the underprint denomination 100, followed by an O with a strikethrough. In the center is a large, deep blue, left facing crowned Imperial eagle with outstretched wings. Superimposed over the eagle is German text, the denomination 100 and Ein Hundert Mark. The serial number is printed vertically on each side in red. On the upper and lower right is the Reichsbank seal with the Imperial eagle in red. The reverse has a light blue, diamond patterned background within a double bordered geometric frame with the repeating phrase, 100 MARK BANKNOTE, in the inner border. The serial number and letter are printed in red in the top and bottom center. The denomination 100 is printed in emblems in each upper corner. In the center is a large medallion with a portrait of a middle aged woman, with a floral wreath. Two young women in draped gowns hold each side of the frame. The woman on the left has a helmet, crystal, and mallet at her feet; the woman on the right has grain sheaves, fruit, and flowers. The note is discolored and torn., Rectangular 100 mark paper currency in black and blue ink. The face has an oval patterned background with a narrow, geometric border. In the top center is the underprint denomination 100, followed by an O with a strikethrough. In the center is a large, deep blue, left facing crowned Imperial eagle with outstretched wings. Superimposed over the eagle is German text, the denomination 100 and Ein Hundert Mark. The serial number is printed vertically on each side in red. On the upper and lower right is the Reichsbank seal with the Imperial eagle in red. The reverse has a light blue, diamond patterned background within a double bordered geometric frame with the repeating phrase, 100 MARK BANKNOTE, in the inner border. The serial number and letter are printed in red in the top and bottom center. The denomination 100 is printed in emblems in each upper corner. In the center is a large medallion with a portrait of a middle aged woman, with a floral wreath. Two young women in draped gowns hold each side of the frame. The woman on the left has a helmet, crystal, and mallet at her feet; the woman on the right has grain sheaves, fruit, and flowers. The note is discolored and torn.
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