us-005578-irn60841-irn84707
physical characteristics and technical requirements: Square paper currency with a blue-green underprint with a dome flanked by torches with superimposed black wavy lines and a decorative black border. The denomination 2 is in the 4 inner corners in green ink. The serial number and French text are in the center. The denomination DEUX 2 FRANCS is in the bottom center. The reverse has a red and blue underprint with wavy and distorted lines and a geometric patterned blue border. In the center is a floating French flag with 3 vertical stripes: blue, white, red. Across the bottom of the flagpole is a decorative blue panel with scrollwork flourishes and the French national motto: Liberte Egalite Fraternite. The note is slightly discolored with a narrrow bottom edge, but like new.
conditions of use: No restrictions on use
has or had identifier: http://lod.ehri-project-test.eu/units/us-005578-irn60841-irn84707/alternateIDs/1
has beginning date: http://lod.ehri-project-test.eu/dates/1944-01-01
has or had holder: us-005578
type: RecordSet
identifier: irn84707
record resource extent: overall: Height: 2.625 inches (6.668 cm) | Width: 3.125 inches (7.938 cm)
has or had some members with language: fra
biographical history: James (Jim) Edward Kirkebo was born on April 22, 1921, in Tacoma, Washington. He was the second of three children born to Gerhard and Irene Kirkebo. His parents were both born in Norway and immigrated to the United States in the early 1900s. Gerhard was a building contractor. In spring 1939, James graduated from high school and took a job as a shipping clerk. On September 14, 1940, he enlisted in the US Army. Following the December 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States entered World War II. James was deployed for four and a half months with the Asia Pacific Technical Operations (APTO) unit, through December 1941. James rose to the rank of Sergeant, with a specialty in reconnaissance. On December 7, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor,a, and a few days later the US entered World War II. On May 11, 1942, James was selected to attend the Army’s newly formed Officer Candidate Course at Fort Benning in Georgia. In early August, Staff Sergeant Kirkebo, 2nd Training Regiment, 16th Co., graduated from the Officer’s Candidate Course and was reenlisted as a Second Lieutenant with a specialty in automotive maintenance and repair. In mid-August, the 11th Armored Division, the Thunderbolt Division, was activated, as part of the Third Army. James was made commanding officer of C Company, 21st Armored Infantry Battalion. The unit was deployed in September to Great Britain. In early December, his unit landed in Normandy, France, and moved north into Belgium. They entered combat on December 30, defending the road to Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge. In January 1945, the Division spearheaded the Allied advance into Germany. On February 1, James received a field promotion to Captain. In February and March, the 11th Armored overran several cities, then crossed the Rhine River. In April, the unit turned south towards the Danube River and Austria. James was wounded by shrapnel on April 25, but continued fighting. On May 5 and 6, the Division liberated Gusen and Mauthausen con…
results or resulted from: http://lod.ehri-project-test.eu/units/us-005578-irn60841-irn84707/acquisitions/1
archival history: The currency was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2013 by Jamie Kirkebo, on behalf of the Estate of his father, James Edward Kirkebo.
has record set type: Item
scope and content: Allied military currency, 2 francs, issued for use in occupied France acquired by Captain James (Jim) Kirkebo, who served in the United States Army from 1940-1945, including combat duty with the Thunderbolt Division in Europe from December 1944-May 1945. The note was printed by the British and Americans for the June 1944 D-Day invasion. Military currency or occupation money was produced for use by military personnel in occupied territories. The notes for different currencies: lire, francs, kroner, marks, schillings, and yen, had similar designs for ease of production. Kirkebo, age 19, enlisted in the Army in September 1940. In August 1942, 2nd Lieutenant Kirkebo became commanding officer of C Company, 21st Armored Infantry Battalion, 11th Armored Division, Third Army. In December 1944, Kirkebo's unit landed in Normandy, and defended Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge. The 11th Armored spearheaded the Allied advance into Germany and pushed through to Austria. Kirkebo received a battlefield promotion to captain on February 1, 1945. On May 5 and 6, soldiers from the 11th Armored liberated Gusen and Mauthausen concentration camps. At Mauthausen, they discovered over 19,000 starving inmates. The unit was tasked with caring for the inmates and improving camp conditions. On May 7, 1945, Germany surrendered. Kirkebo was on occupational duty until October when he returned to the US. Kirkebo was awarded a Silver Star and Bronze Star for his bravery in action.
conditions of access: No restrictions on access
is or was included in: us-005578-irn60841
title: Allied Military Authority currency, 2 francs, for use in France, acquired by a US soldier
has end date: http://lod.ehri-project-test.eu/dates/1944-12-31