Images(3)

Pin, Military

Object number2015.42.22

Date1933-1945

OriginGermany

MediumPlastic/Paint

Credit LineGift of Susan Muir

DescriptionNearly circular plastic pin, painted gold on front and unpainted yellow plastic on back. Metal pinback on back at center. Front has a cross crosslet with four swastikas surrounding the cross; dotted border around perimeter. Back has raised text in German.Dimensions1.188 x 1.188 x 0.25 x 1.188 in. (3 x 3 x 0.6 x 3 cm)
InscriptionsBack has raised text in German "OBERMOLLERN, KR. WEISSENFELS / GOLDBRAKTEAT / UM 600, THURINGISCH".
Historical NotesPart 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 Nazi Party

Related institution 99th Infantry Division

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