Object Record
Images
Additional Images [4]
Metadata
Accession number |
2015.059 |
Object Identification Number |
2015.059.001 |
Object Name |
Armband |
Donor |
Rasmussen, Merle |
Description |
Red wool armband with a round patch stitched onto the outside. On that patch is a white background with a black stitched swastika, a design resembling two squared "S" shapes turned to overlap each other into a sort of square shape. On the white background of the patch is a faded red stamp of what appears to be a bird with outstretched wings, a circle directly below it, and lettering around the outer edges. The armband has a seam about halfway around from the patch. It was likely sewn onto the shirt or jacket it was originally worn with. |
Dimensions |
W-4.188 L-7.875 inches |
Creation Date |
ca. 1930s-1940s |
Place Of Origin |
Germany |
Owned By |
Nazi soldier/Rasmussen, Junior Marion |
Used By |
Nazi soldier |
Material |
wool |
Associated People |
Rasmussen, Junior Marion Rasmussen, Merle |
Search Terms |
Rasmussen, Junior Marion Rasmussen, Merle WWII World War II World War Two military Nazi Germany swastika armband Berlin Weston Germany |
Given In Memory Of |
In Memory of Junior Marion Rasmussen |
Provenance |
The Nazi armband and pin and the medals were souvenirs that Junior Marion Rasmussen traded for rations he was given. He didn't drink or smoke so it was likely he used those to barter with the locals for these items. All of the materials in this donation belonged to the donor's father, Junior Marion Rasmussen, who served in the U.S. Army immediately following WWII, in the 78th Division, 16th Cavalry, Berlin Constabulary, in a Reconnaissance Unit. He served as a Private First Class in Berlin, patrolled the American Sector, befriended German civilians, and collected souvenirs which he brought home to the U.S. Rasmussen (May 22, 1924-May 17, 2015) was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa and was the son of Danish American parents Marion (1885-1969) and Maren Kristine (Steffensen) Rasmussen (b. ?) who were married on January 5, 1921. Maren died on May 31, 1924, just days after giving birth. In 1925, Marion remarried to another Danish immigrant woman, Marie E. Jensen, to help raise his son. Junior Rasmussen married Mary Elizabeth on May 19, 1956, and they had one son, the donor. Marion's parents were Lars Christian Rasmussen and Karen Marie Andersen Rasmussen. Lars was born in 1851 in Hjørring, Denmark, and died in 1934 in Neola, Iowa. Karen was born in 1843 in Voer, Hjørring, Denmark, and died in 1928 in Neola. The couple immigrated in 1882. Their son Marion was born in Weston, Iowa, south of Neola about 10 miles. |
Images |
290\2015059001.JPG |
Date Received by Museum |
11/28/2015 |