Allied Military Authority, 50 groschen, for use in Austria acquired by a US soldier 2013.442.40 front
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Washington, United States
Allied military currency, 50 groschen, issued for use by Allied troops in occupied Austria, 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. Military currency or occupation money was produced for use by military personnel in occupied territories. 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, 50 groschen, issued for use by Allied troops in occupied Austria, 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. Military currency or occupation money was produced for use by military personnel in occupied territories. 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.
Details
- Title: Allied Military Authority, 50 groschen, for use in Austria acquired by a US soldier 2013.442.40 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--Military currency. 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--Military currency. 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 red-orange ink with a wide, web patterned border with 50 GROSCHEN within a circle within a square in the top corners. In the center is a web patterned, scalloped medallion with the denomination 50, with the text denomination to each side and within a banner below. The reverse has the denomination 50 GROSCHEN in medallions in the top corners flanking a top panel with German text. Below this is the series number and German text. An ornate design with scrolled leaves and wavy medallions covers the remainder. Superimposed on the right and left is the denomination 50, with the text denomination in the center. There is text within a narrow panel along the bottom. The note is soiled and creased., Rectangular paper currency in red-orange ink with a wide, web patterned border with 50 GROSCHEN within a circle within a square in the top corners. In the center is a web patterned, scalloped medallion with the denomination 50, with the text denomination to each side and within a banner below. The reverse has the denomination 50 GROSCHEN in medallions in the top corners flanking a top panel with German text. Below this is the series number and German text. An ornate design with scrolled leaves and wavy medallions covers the remainder. Superimposed on the right and left is the denomination 50, with the text denomination in the center. There is text within a narrow panel along the bottom. The note is soiled and creased.
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