War Tokens
Army Uniform
United States
Howard Nathaniel A\'s army uniform from the Korean War is very important to Bryan A\'s family because it is one of the only belongings that Bryan A\'s family has from him. Bryan A\'s grandfather, Howard, who served in the United States Army during the Korean War, received this army uniform from his sergeant. He was stationed in Panama, South America, for a brief eleven-month tour of duty. Panama is located near the equator, so it is very hot there. This was his main uniform, although he wore a short-sleeved uniform when he was protecting the Panama Canal. This army uniform has three medals that represent Howard A\'s hard work and fine service to this country. Unfortunately, Howard A died in 1972 of skin cancer. After his death, Howard A\'s wife, Judith Kallman, raised three children alone.
This uniform will be cherished forever by the Alter family.
Pictures and Newspaper
England
Mollie F\'s maternal great-grandfather had two photographs taken of himself during World War II. The first one was taken during his training period. This picture was taken by the army and printed in an army newspaper called Yank. The second was taken of him standing next to his tank in England, before his platoon left for Normandy. In World War II, Mollie’s great-grandfather was a tank commander, and he named his tank Florence after his only sister. Mollie\'s great-grandfather was very protective of his men. Subsequently, he was shot in his chest while trying to save his men. Everyone thought he had died, and his body was left on the beach. Luckily, a doctor saw his body and noticed his watch. He proceeded to take the watch off of Mollie’s great-grandfather, and while taking it off, the doctor felt Mollie’s great-grandfather’s pulse. The doctor realized he was still alive and saved his life.
After the war ended, Mollie\'s great-grandfather received a purple heart for his bravery.
Dog Tags
New York
Solomon F\'s paternal grandfather, Dennis F, wore these dog tags while in the U.S. Navy from 1959-1961. Dog tags are on a necklace which is worn by everybody in the U.S. Navy so if someone dies they will know who died. Dennis F\'s dog tags are now kept at his home in New York City. Dennis F was only one of many members of the family who has served in the United States Navy.
Solomon F is very proud of his grandfather.
Army Jacket
United States
Maya G\'s maternal grandfather, Irving K, was awarded a citation while fighting in World War II. It was given to him “for meritorious achievement while participating in sustained bomber combat operations over Germany and German occupied countries.” The citation further states that the “courage, coolness, and skill displayed by these Officers and Enlisted Men upon these occasions reflect great credit upon themselves and the Armed Forces of the United States.” During the war, Maya\'s grandfather and the members of his squad wore leather bomber jackets with the picture and name that was on their airplane. The family has kept these items as a memory from a very significant time in Irving\'s life, when he voluntarily joined the army at the age of 17 to fight in World War II in order to help save the Jews.
The artifacts remind the family of how brave Irving was and how lucky he was to survive while many of his friends and squad members died fighting in the war.
Samurai Sword and Aerial Camera
Japan
Jonathan K\'s maternal great-grandfather, Joseph G, fought in World War II in Japan, and he brought home a samurai sword and an aerial camera. Joseph was interested in photography, and this aerial camera interested him greatly. Part of his service was to maintain “5 T craft” airplanes at the airbase where he was stationed. He would fly frequently over Tokyo, Yokohama, and the Irmagowa air field. After the war, he found the samurai sword and the enormous aerial camera in an abandoned warehouse. These objects have stayed in Joseph’s house since 1946.
These objects interest the family immensely and remind Joseph G of his service to America.
Siddur
New York
Julia L\'s maternal great-grandfather, Israel Wertentheil, was awarded this siddur for fighting during World War Two. This siddur was from the Department of War. It\'s a pocket siddur, and on the inside it shows how many copies they thought they would have to make for that year. Israel’s story is that he was drafted into the army even though he had a son who was an infant and a wife who was expecting another baby. After being drafted into the U.S. Army, he missed the birth of his beautiful daughter, Julia\'s grandmother. This object is so significant to the family because it shows Israel’s bravery and pride, but, most importantly, his patriotic ways. When Israel was issued this siddur, he used it everyday to daven to G-d to return him safety to his wonderful family.
That’s why Julia\'s maternal great-grandfather, Israel, was awarded this siddur.
Award
United States
Jordana H\'s paternal grandfather, Dr. Albie H, received a plaque for fighting in Vietnam. Dr. Albie H received the award because he saved many people’s lives in the army. Dr. Albie H was a war hero and received numerous medals, including the Bronze Star. The Bronze Star is awarded to members of the military service either for combat, heroism or meritorious service. When Dr. Albie H passed away, he received an honorable military funeral.
The wooden plaque will always be important for Jordana\'s family because it highlights her grandfather\'s many accomplishments.
Battalion Book and Photo Album
New York, New York
Zachary Y’s paternal grandfather, Larry, was a surveyor/map maker for the U.S. military during WWII. As part of the 652nd Engineers “A: Company,” an intelligence branch in Patton’s army, his battalion worked around the clock to help move the army from the beaches of Normandy in June of 1944 through the German Western Front. These maps were the eyes used by many commanders to ensure maximum victories with minimal casualties. Zachary’s grandfather was with the U.S. Army when, in May of 1945, the Germans made an unconditional surrender. The book is an important keepsake for the family not only because it relates the story of this battalion and includes pictures of Zachary’s grandfather, but also because on its final pages it documents the witnessed horrors perpetrated by the Germans. The accompanying photo album includes pictures taken during Larry’s military career from surveyor training in Kentucky in 1943 through the end of war in 1945. While many pictures were taken by his friends, the two most important pictures were taken by Larry himself. These are the pictures of the gas chamber door and the concentration camp ovens.
Together, these artifacts testify to the undeniable horrors of the Holocaust and the bravery of the men of that era who helped put an end to it.
Protection for our country
United States
Sarah Lieberman’s paternal grandfather, Michael Lieberman joined the United States army in 1959. Sarah Lieberman’s family has owned this object for fifty two years. Miichael Lieberman served in the U.S Army for six years and was a sergeant in the sixty ninth regiment. On this army jacket there are a lot of different pins which stand for various things. One of the pins is a blue rope, which means that he was always ready to go to war and fight for his country. The pin that has a rainbow on it means that he belonged to the rainbow division. Another pin had a wreath on it which showed he was an expert shooter. Sarah Lieberman’s family values this object.
Michael Lieberman is a brave and loyal citizen of the United States.