US glider pilot sterling silver pin acquired by a US soldier
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overall: Height: 0.375 inches (0.953 cm) | Width: 1.375 inches (3.493 cm) | Depth: 0.125 inches (0.318 cm)
US Army glider pilot wingshaped pin with the letter G acquired by William G. Allan, 2nd Lieutenant, 99th Infantry Division, United States Army. Gliders were towed near battle areas then released to navigate their landing. The 99th Infantry was deployed overseas in September 1944, and fought its way across Europe. After the Battle of the Bulge, it was one of the first divisions to cross into Germany in March 1945. The 99th Division is an officially recognized concentration camp liberating unit. In early May, it liberated several Dachau subcamps, including a concentration camp linked to the Muhldorf complex. The division was near Munich when the war ended on May 7 and returned to the US in September.
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Small sterling silver pin cast in the shape of outspread wings with ridged detailing to resemble individual feathers. There is an escutcheon, or shield, in the center at the wing joint with an embossed letter G on a field of horizontal grooves. On the reverse of each wing is a hinged pin back with a hooked catch and the stamped hallmark.
The glider pilot pin was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2006 by Tara Allan Stewart, the daughter of William G. Allan.
William G. Allan served in the United States Army, 99th Infantry Division, during World War II. He achieved the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. The 99th Infantry was deployed overseas in September 1944, and fought its way across Europe. After the Battle of the Bulge, it was one of the first divisions to cross into Germany in March 1945. The 99th Division is an officially recognized concentration camp liberating unit. In early May, it liberated several Dachau subcamps, including a concentration camp linked to the Muhldorf complex. The division was near Munich when the war ended on May 7 and returned to the US in September. William and his wife Sarah had three children. William died in 2005, age 84 years.