The European Theater
Gallery 17
|
|
| | | | | |
This uniform was worn by Captain Thomas P. Cocke, who graduated from the United States Naval Academy in February 1941. After graduation, he was assigned to the battleship USS Mississippi until the attack on Pearl Harbor. The USS Mississippi was detailed to monitor convoy operations in the North Atlantic during ths time; Captain Cocke's American Defense Service Medal bears a small bronze letter "A" in recognition of this service. After Pearl Harbor, he was stationed in Iceland where he continued to monitor the shipping lanes. After the war, he was assigned to the Civil Engineering Corps of the Navy, where he was a public works officer at various bases in the United States. His two brother also served in the war; Duncan M. Cocke was a Captain in the Marine Corps, and R. Preston Cocke served in the 116th Naval Construction Battalion. (Donated by R. Preston Cocke)
|
|
|
| | | | | |
May 8th, 1945 edition of The Columbus Citizen announcing the end of the war in Europe. While proclaiming victory, the headlines also point out that the Japanese will still have to be defeated.
|
|
| | | | |
| | | Uniform worn by Sergeant Parker of the 6850th Internal Security Detachment, the unit responsible for guarding the Nazis tried by the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg. 22 top Nazi officials were charged with: Conspiracy to Wage Aggressive War, Crimes Against Peace, War Crimes, and Crimes Against Humanity. The trial began on 18 October 1945, and on 01 October 1946 the verdicts were announced: 12 of the defendants were sentenced to death, 3 sentenced to life imprisonment, 4 given prison sentences ranging from 10 to 20 years, and 3 were acquitted. The sentences were carried out in the early hours of 16 October, although shortly before the hangings were to begin, Hermann Goring committed suicide with poison he managed to hide throughout the trial.
|
|
|
| | | | | |
Close up of Sergeant Parker's visor hat, showing the special blue and gold enamelled "GUARD" badge under the standard enlisted mans hat insignia.
|
|
|
| | | | | |
Sergeant Parker owned this booklet which listed the major participants of the trial (both the Allies and those on trial), the charges, and a brief biography of each of the accused.
|
|
|
| | | | | |
All spectators and press members attending the trial were required to have a signed pass to be admitted. This press pass was issued for the session held on 19 September, 1946.
|
