Belgium, 50 francs or 10 belga note, acquired by a US soldier 2013.442.42 back
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Washington, United States
Belgian 50 franc or 10 belga note, with 1 Belga equallng 5 Belgian francs, acquired by Captain James (Jim) 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 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.
Belgian 50 franc or 10 belga note, with 1 Belga equallng 5 Belgian francs, acquired by Captain James (Jim) 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 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: Belgium, 50 francs or 10 belga note, acquired by a US soldier 2013.442.42 back
- 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 paper currency in green ink on a pale yellow background. The face has an image of a woman holding a sheaf of wheat seated on one of 2 yoked horses, on a countryside background. To the left is a white circle with a watermarked image of King Albert in profile. The serial number is in the upper right and lower left and the denomination 50 FRANCS or 10 BELGAS is in the lower right corner. French text and other numbers are in the floral and star border. The reverse inverts the design, with a woman holding a masted sailing ship and a cornucopia on a city background on the right and the circle on the left. The denomination 50 FRANK and 10 BELGA is in the lower left corner and there is French text in the top and bottom borders. It is creased and discolored., Rectangular paper currency in green ink on a pale yellow background. The face has an image of a woman holding a sheaf of wheat seated on one of 2 yoked horses, on a countryside background. To the left is a white circle with a watermarked image of King Albert in profile. The serial number is in the upper right and lower left and the denomination 50 FRANCS or 10 BELGAS is in the lower right corner. French text and other numbers are in the floral and star border. The reverse inverts the design, with a woman holding a masted sailing ship and a cornucopia on a city background on the right and the circle on the left. The denomination 50 FRANK and 10 BELGA is in the lower left corner and there is French text in the top and bottom borders. It is creased and discolored.
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