Images(2)

Badge, Membership

Object number2015.42.29

Date1959

MediumMetal/Fabric/Silk/Paper/Ink

Credit LineGift of Susan Muir

DescriptionTop of badge is a rectangular metal piece that is folded over a paper card. Printed black text on the paper card identifies the wearer and is visible through a clear plastic window. Metal piece has raised text and decoration on both sides including event description, checkerboard, and shield on front as well as maker's mark on back; the shield is the 99th Infantry Division's unit insignia. Metal piece has pinback on back. Blue silk ribbon is stapled to the back of the metal piece. The ribbon has silver printed text on the front describing reunion event.Dimensions5.063 x 2.25 x 0.25 in. (12.9 x 5.7 x 0.6 cm)
InscriptionsMetal rectangle at top has raised text on front
On front: "10th ANNIVERSARY REUNION / CHECKER BOARD".

Paper card has black printed text "MARTIN G. TORISKY / 99th SIGNAL CO."

The ribbon has silver printed text on the front "1959 / REUNION / 99TH INFANTRY / DIVISION / ASSOCIATION / PITTSBURGH, PA. / JULY 10-12".
MarksMetal rectangle at top has raised text on back "No. 4" and "PAT. NO. / 2035789"; most of maker's mark is obscured by ribbon, visible portion reads "...INC. / ...MINNESOTA".
Historical Notes99th Infantry Division Association 10th Reunion badge. Part of a collection of WWII-related artifacts from the military service of Gabe Torisky of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, who served with the 99th “Checkerboard” Infantry Division during the Ardennes campaign in Belgium. Martin Gabriel "Gabe" Torisky was of Slovak ancestry and was born on November 11, 1911, in Uniontown, PA. He moved to Pittsburgh in the 1920s and was drafted and sent to 99th Division during World War II. The 99th Division is especially important in relation to Pittsburgh, as the Division was originally headquartered in the city in 1942, and the unit insignia, a black shield with a checkerboard band of nine alternating white and blue squares (for “99”) was derived from the coat of arms for William Pitt and thus, also the city seal of Pittsburgh, on which the checkerboard also appears. Donor Susan Muir is Gabe Torisky's daughter.

Previous owner Martin Gabriel Torisky (born 1911)

Related institution 99th Infantry Division

Related institution 99th Infantry Division Association

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