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US Army garrison cap with gold and black piping and captain's insignia worn by a soldier

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Washington, United States

Garrison cap issued to J. George Mitnick by the United States Army during World War II. Mitnick, a 27 year-old Jewish American, served as a captain in the 65th Infantry Division, European Theater. His unit took control of the Ohrdruf concentration camp in April 1945; nearly all the inhabitants were dead, killed by the departing German troops. This was the first concentration camp liberated by US troops and descriptions of the conditions horrified the world. Mitnick’s unit continued on into Austria and was involved with the liberation of Mauthausen concentration camp. Captain Mitnick was awarded two Bronze Stars for his service.

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  • Title: US Army garrison cap with gold and black piping and captain's insignia worn by a soldier
  • Provenance: The garrison hat was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2006 by Ronne Mitnick Hess, the daughter of J. George Mitnick.
  • Subject Keywords: Soldiers--United States--Biography. Jewish soldiers--United States--Biography. World War, 1939-1945--Concentration camps--Liberation. World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American.
  • Type: Dress Accessories
  • Rights: Permanent Collection
  • External Link: See the full record at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
  • Medium: Olive drab, rectangular cap made of heavyweight cloth. The folded brim has gold and black cording and 2 silver bar insignia, and captain’s rank pins on front left side. It is lined with cloth and a leather band.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

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