Images(2)

Cap, Garrison

Object number2017.134.3

Date1996-2003

OriginUSA

MediumDacron Polyester; Wool; Satin; Fabric;Leather; Metal; Ink

Credit LineGift of Lisa Schonberger

DescriptionJewish War Veterans Post No. 181 garrison cap.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth: 5.125 × 12.125 × 0.625 in. (13 × 30.8 × 1.6 cm)
InscriptionsFront of proper left side has symbol for the Jewish War Veterans of the United States with gold embroidered text around central circle "JEWISH WAR VETERANS OF THE UNITED STATES" and superimposed on central eagle is gold embroidered "U.S."

Proper left side has two metal pins:
Frontmost pin has silver and blue text "S.S. McKEESPORT / APRIL 29, 1943 / 60TH ANNIVERSARY / IN MEMORY OF";
Rearmost pin has gold text in top left corner "1896-1996 / [American flag] / JWV", gold text to the right "WE SERVED / 100 YEARS", and gold text along bottom "The Jewish War Veterans of the USA".

Proper right side has yellow embroidered text "POST 181" and "J.W.V."

Proper right side has a gold pin with gold text on blue enamel background "JEWISH WAR VETERANS OF U.S."

Handwritten text in ink on the yellow lining "7 5/8".
MarksInterior has two white maker tags on proper left side near rear; each has with black printed text:
Top tag has text "7 5/8 / LOT / PRICE";
Bottom tag has text "55% Dacron / Polyester / 45% Wool / Dry Clean Only / Made in U.S.A."

Verso of JWV 100th anniversary pin (on proper left side of cap) has repeated engraved text "HOLIDAYS ENT. / 609-939-4228".
Historical NotesJacob Greenfield was born in McKeesport, Pennsylvania on July 25, 1895 to Hungarian parents. He was doing electrical work for Westinghouse when he was drafted in the U.S. Army in 1917, and sent to Camp Lee, Virginia, for basic training. He was sent overseas on May 18, 1918. He was killed in action on the first day of the Meuse-Argonne offensive in July 1918. He was eventually reburied in McKeesport, Pennsylvania in September 1921. When the Jewish community of McKeesport started its Jewish War Veterans post in 1957, they named it the Private Jacob Greenfield Post No. 181. The post closed in the summer of 2017. The painting is by John Shlapak (1926-2017), who was born in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, and lived for many years in Munhall, Pennsylvania. He was a veteran and a business man who was also an amateur artist of note. According to the donor, the painting was originally in an oval frame of a dark color, although no images corroborate this. The donor, Lisa Schonberger, is the granddaughter of Jacob Greenfield.

Previous owner Private Jacob Greenfield Post No. 181

Related institution Jewish War Veterans of the United States

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