Ephemera

These were the different documents, postcards, and letters that were found in Gerald's belongings. Click to expand the photos, and use the left and right arrows to explore.

Newspaper Clippings

Valkenburg Rest Center

A pamphlet describing the Valkenburg Rest Center in Holland. Valkenburg

Fighting 69th Division Banquet Menu with signatures

A banquet menu with signatures from the Fighting 69th Division Association Reunion banquet. Signatures include those of Major General Emil F. Reinhardt and General Charles L. Bolte, commanders of the 69th Infantry Division.

German postcard found in Leipzig

A postcard, sent from Prague to Leipzig, written in German Kurrent script. Transcription and translation is as follows:

Prag 13.11.44
Die herzlichsten Grüße aus dem schönen Prag sendet Euch allen Walter. Prag ist die schönste Stadt, die ich bis jetzt gese-hen habe, sie gehört ja auch mit zu den fünf schönsten Städten der Erde. Im Hintergrund rechts ist die Burg, es war das erste Bild aus dem Buntfilm "die goldene Stadt". In Wien bin ich auch gewesen, ich war enttäuscht, auch der Prater ist nur ein großes Schützen-fest. Die Parkanlagen sind aber dort gut.

Translation:
Prague 13.11.44
Warmest greetings from beautiful Prague to all of you sends Walter. Prague is the most beautiful city I have seen so far.
It is said to be one of the five most beautiful cities in the world after all. In the background on the right is the castle, it was the first picture from the color movie "The Golden City". I have been to Vienna as well but was disappointed, the Prater is essentially just a big shooting festival. But the parks there are good.

The letters is addressed to:
Fam. Paul Hüfner
Werkmeister bei Opitz
Groitzsch Bez. Leipzig
Am Galgenberg

Official correspondence between the Ex-Ambassador of Germany and the Ambassador of Spain, in Berlin, Germany. Dated 1933.

This is an official, signed and stamped document allowing Mr. Wolff Metternich, the ex-ambassador of Germany, to enter Spain. The direct translation is as follows:
"I hereby recommend to you Count Wolff Metternich, former German ambassador, who is traveling to Spain and the Canary Islands to recover his health. I would be very grateful if you would provide him with all the facilities compatible with current regulations for the registration of his luggage. I take this opportunity to reiterate my sincere regards." Signed by the Ambassador of Spain in Berlin, Germany, on August 22, 1933.

The Army Songbook & handwritten lyrics to the song "The Ballad of Rodger Young"

An army-issued songbook filled with 67 songs. To learn more about the songbook, click here. Folded inside the army book were handwritten lyrics of "The Ballad of Rodger Young," an American war song written by Frank Loesser in March of 1945. To listen to the song, click here.