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Pair of blue and silver collar tabs for a Luftwaffe Hauptmann [Captain] acquired by a US soldier

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Washington, United States

Two collar badges embroidered with birds and oak leaves from a Luftwaffe Hauptmann's uniform acquired by 19 year old David C. Porter during his service as a soldier in the US Army in Germany from February 1945 to July 1946. The tabs would have been worn in pairs on the collar points of a uniform shirt or jacket to distinguish military branch and rank. David was deployed in February 1945 to join troops of the 102nd Infantry Division in combat in Germany. By the end of the war in May, David was a mortar crew chief for Company A, 26th Infantry Regiment. David and other members of the 102nd were selected to serve as guards for the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg. Its purpose was to seek justice for crimes against humanity, evidenced by the Holocaust, perpetrated by Nazi Germany. David was assigned to guard prisoners being prosecuted during the Trial of Major German War Criminals for crimes against peace, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and conspiracy to commit these crimes. David was promoted to Sergeant in September. He guarded the defendants in their cells and then was assigned to stand guard in the courtroom during the proceedings. David returned to the US and was honorably discharged in July 1946. The trial lasted from November 1945 to August 1946. Verdicts were delivered on October 1, 1946: twelve defendants were sentenced to death; three to life imprisonment; four to prison terms ranging from 10-20 years; three were acquitted.

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  • Title: Pair of blue and silver collar tabs for a Luftwaffe Hauptmann [Captain] acquired by a US soldier
  • Provenance: The collar tabs were donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2011 by Ethel P. Kemmerer, the sister of David C. Porter and executor of his Estate.
  • Subject Keywords: Nuremberg Trial of Major German War Criminals, Nuremberg, Germany, 1945-1946. Soldiers--United States--Biography. War crime trials--Europe--History--20th century. World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American. Souvenirs (Keepsakes)--Soldiers--United States--Biography.
  • Type: Military Insignia
  • Rights: Permanent Collection
  • External Link: See the full record at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
  • Medium: a. Angled rectangular blue cloth military gorget with insignia embroidered in silver metallic thread. The design consists of a column of 3 stylized open-winged birds in flight above stylized oak leaves. The border is trimmed with twisted silver metal thread. The patch is glued around stiff brown cloth backing. The diagonal ends are cut to fit on a uniform collar point. The badge is soiled and worn, with loose threads on the back. b. Angled rectangular blue cloth military gorget with insignia embroidered in silver metallic thread. The design consists of a column of 3 stylized open-winged birds in flight above stylized oak leaves. The border is trimmed with twisted silver metal thread. The patch is glued around stiff brown cloth backing. The diagonal ends are cut to fit on a uniform collar point. The front is worn and lightly stained, the back is soiled.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

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