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Meyer, Kurt (0552568): Difference between revisions
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Clear document profile photo; caption military record; add birthplace/awards from transcript |
Restore later-life family photo to Gallery; leave profile photo empty |
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|awards_ribbons=Ribbon_Army_Good_Conduct_Medal_ribbon.png;Ribbon_American_Campaign_Medal_ribbon.png;Ribbon_World_War_II_Victory_Medal_ribbon.png | |awards_ribbons=Ribbon_Army_Good_Conduct_Medal_ribbon.png;Ribbon_American_Campaign_Medal_ribbon.png;Ribbon_World_War_II_Victory_Medal_ribbon.png | ||
|awards_ribbon_rows=Ribbon_Army_Good_Conduct_Medal_ribbon.png;;Ribbon_American_Campaign_Medal_ribbon.png;;Ribbon_World_War_II_Victory_Medal_ribbon.png | |awards_ribbon_rows=Ribbon_Army_Good_Conduct_Medal_ribbon.png;;Ribbon_American_Campaign_Medal_ribbon.png;;Ribbon_World_War_II_Victory_Medal_ribbon.png | ||
|photo= | |||
}} | }} | ||
<div class="soldier-lead"> | <div class="soldier-lead"> | ||
'''Kurt Meyer''' (1922–2014) was a | '''Kurt Meyer''' (1922–2014) was a German-born Jewish Ritchie Boy ([[Class 16]]) who served with Third Army and accepted the surrender of Gen. Jenny near Garmisch-Partenkirchen. | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
== Biography == | == Biography == | ||
Kurt Meyer was born | Kurt Meyer was born on 19 February 1922 in Linz, Rhineland, Germany, to Karl and Martha Meyer. In 1938 his father sent him to Chicago; that fall Karl Meyer was imprisoned and sent to Dachau before the family escaped and reunited in Chicago. Meyer attended Northwestern University and later received a commission. | ||
A fluent German speaker, Meyer trained at Camp Ritchie (Class 16) and served with | A fluent German speaker, Meyer trained at [[Camp Ritchie]] ([[Class 16]]) under enlisted ASN 36648641 before officer ASN 0552568, and served with Patton’s Third Army interviewing German prisoners and screening for SS affiliation. Near Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Garthof-Partnach), about twelve miles from the Meyer family’s ancestral home, he accepted the surrender of Luftwaffe Brigadier General Jenny with seven staff officers and about 150 enlisted men—an episode covered in contemporary Chicago newspapers. | ||
Meyer died on 18 January 2014. | Meyer died on 18 January 2014. | ||
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* Also held enlisted ASN '''36648641''' (Camp Ritchie Class 16). | * Also held enlisted ASN '''36648641''' (Camp Ritchie Class 16). | ||
* Military record (1951 transcript) lists birthplace as Linz, Rhineland, Germany; separated at Camp Ritchie on 15 May 1944 to accept a commission as 2nd Lt. | * Military record (1951 transcript) lists birthplace as Linz, Rhineland, Germany; separated at Camp Ritchie on 15 May 1944 to accept a commission as 2nd Lt. | ||
* Contemporary Chicago newspapers give escape/emigration year as 1938 (not 1936). Wartime newspaper face crop too damaged for profile photo; later clear face used instead. Do not confuse with unrelated Meyer ASN 32902899. | |||
== Gallery == | == Gallery == | ||
<div class="soldier-gallery"> | <div class="soldier-gallery"> | ||
<gallery mode="packed" heights="140px"> | <gallery mode="packed" heights="140px"> | ||
Meyer_Kurt_0552568_portrait.jpg|Transcript of Military Record for Kurt Meyer (enlisted ASN 36648641; RB Archive) | Meyer_Kurt_0552568_portrait.jpg|Transcript of Military Record for Kurt Meyer (enlisted ASN 36648641; separated Camp Ritchie 15 May 1944 to accept commission) — not a portrait (RB Archive). | ||
Meyer_Kurt_0552568_counterintelligence_clipping.jpg|Kurt Meyer counterintelligence / Ritchie Boys clipping (RB Archive) | Meyer_Kurt_0552568_counterintelligence_clipping.jpg|Kurt Meyer counterintelligence / Ritchie Boys clipping (RB Archive) | ||
Kurt_Meyer_0552568_Chicago_clipping_refugee_revenged.jpg|Chicago newspaper clipping: “Jewish Refugee Revenged” — Lt. Kurt Meyer accepts Gen. Jenny surrender near Garmisch-Partenkirchen (RB Archive). | |||
Kurt_Meyer_0552568_Chicago_clipping_turns_tables.jpg|Chicago newspaper clipping: “Nazis’ Victim Turns Tables” — Karl Meyer family reaction (RB Archive). | |||
Kurt_Meyer_0552568_later_portrait.jpg|Kurt Meyer in later life with family (RB Archive) | |||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
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<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed soldier-timeline"> | <div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed soldier-timeline"> | ||
<div class="soldier-timeline-body"> | <div class="soldier-timeline-body"> | ||
* 19 February 1922 — Born in Germany. | * 19 February 1922 — Born in Linz, Rhineland, Germany. | ||
* | * 1938 — Sent to Chicago; father Karl imprisoned at Dachau before family escape. | ||
* | * Attended Northwestern University; later commissioned (officer ASN 0552568; enlisted 36648641). | ||
* | * Camp Ritchie Class 16; Third Army POW interrogation / SS screening. | ||
* Accepted surrender of Gen. Jenny near Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Chicago press accounts). | |||
* 18 January 2014 — Died. | * 18 January 2014 — Died. | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
</div><div style="clear: both;"></div> | </div><div style="clear: both;"></div> | ||
== Sources == | == Sources == | ||
* [[:File:Kurt_Meyer_0552568_later_portrait.jpg|Later-life photograph of Kurt Meyer with family]] (RB Archive; restored to Gallery; not used as profile photo) | |||
* [[:File:Meyer_Kurt_0552568_portrait.jpg|Transcript of Military Record (enlisted ASN 36648641) — not a portrait]] | |||
* Chicago newspaper clippings (RB Archive): “Jewish Refugee Revenged” / “Nazis’ Victim Turns Tables” — Gen. Jenny surrender near Garmisch-Partenkirchen; escape year 1938; Karl Meyer Dachau | |||
* [[:File:Meyer_Kurt_0552568_counterintelligence_clipping.jpg|Kurt Meyer counterintelligence / Ritchie Boys clipping (RB Archive)]] | * [[:File:Meyer_Kurt_0552568_counterintelligence_clipping.jpg|Kurt Meyer counterintelligence / Ritchie Boys clipping (RB Archive)]] | ||
* [[:File:Meyer_Kurt_0552568_portrait.jpg|Kurt Meyer portrait (RB Archive)]] | * [[:File:Meyer_Kurt_0552568_portrait.jpg|Kurt Meyer portrait (RB Archive)]] | ||
Latest revision as of 04:48, 18 September 2026
| Kurt Meyer | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born | 19 February 1922 Linz, Rhineland, Germany |
| Died | 18 January 2014 |
| Nativity | Germany |
| Religion | Jewish |
| Awards | Good Conduct; American Campaign; World War II Victory |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Army |
| ASN | 0552568 |
| Camp Ritchie | Class 16 (6 February – 5 April 1944) |
| Teams | IPW 7, IPW 155, MII 474-G |
Awards and honors
|
|
|
| Good Conduct | American Campaign | World War II Victory |
Research notes on this page are compiled from the source file and later edits. They may be unverified, incomplete, or incorrect, and should not be treated as established fact. Please correct the article or add sources on the talk page. For class-roster terms, see About the data.
Sources & confidence: Treat Research notes as leads, not settled fact. Prefer NARA, the class roster, newspapers, Find a Grave, or published histories for contested claims. Mark unsourced claims with
{{Needs source}}, or explain disagreements on talk. Baseline import notes: About the data.
Kurt Meyer (1922–2014) was a German-born Jewish Ritchie Boy (Class 16) who served with Third Army and accepted the surrender of Gen. Jenny near Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Biography[edit | edit source]
Kurt Meyer was born on 19 February 1922 in Linz, Rhineland, Germany, to Karl and Martha Meyer. In 1938 his father sent him to Chicago; that fall Karl Meyer was imprisoned and sent to Dachau before the family escaped and reunited in Chicago. Meyer attended Northwestern University and later received a commission.
A fluent German speaker, Meyer trained at Camp Ritchie (Class 16) under enlisted ASN 36648641 before officer ASN 0552568, and served with Patton’s Third Army interviewing German prisoners and screening for SS affiliation. Near Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Garthof-Partnach), about twelve miles from the Meyer family’s ancestral home, he accepted the surrender of Luftwaffe Brigadier General Jenny with seven staff officers and about 150 enlisted men—an episode covered in contemporary Chicago newspapers.
Meyer died on 18 January 2014.
Research notes[edit | edit source]
- Also 36648641 Pfc
- Canonical page is officer ASN 0552568. Merge/retire enlisted ASN 36648641 under the dual-ASN policy. Do not use unrelated Meyer ASN 32902899. Thin family note; no unsupported unit detail or award added.
- Also held enlisted ASN 36648641 (Camp Ritchie Class 16).
- Military record (1951 transcript) lists birthplace as Linz, Rhineland, Germany; separated at Camp Ritchie on 15 May 1944 to accept a commission as 2nd Lt.
- Contemporary Chicago newspapers give escape/emigration year as 1938 (not 1936). Wartime newspaper face crop too damaged for profile photo; later clear face used instead. Do not confuse with unrelated Meyer ASN 32902899.
Gallery[edit | edit source]
-
Transcript of Military Record for Kurt Meyer (enlisted ASN 36648641; separated Camp Ritchie 15 May 1944 to accept commission) — not a portrait (RB Archive). -
Kurt Meyer counterintelligence / Ritchie Boys clipping (RB Archive) -
Chicago newspaper clipping: “Jewish Refugee Revenged” — Lt. Kurt Meyer accepts Gen. Jenny surrender near Garmisch-Partenkirchen (RB Archive). -
Chicago newspaper clipping: “Nazis’ Victim Turns Tables” — Karl Meyer family reaction (RB Archive). -
Kurt Meyer in later life with family (RB Archive)
Technical record[edit | edit source]
| Field | Imported value |
|---|---|
| Approx Age at Death | 92 |
| row_source | demographics |
Timeline[edit | edit source]
- 19 February 1922 — Born in Linz, Rhineland, Germany.
- 1938 — Sent to Chicago; father Karl imprisoned at Dachau before family escape.
- Attended Northwestern University; later commissioned (officer ASN 0552568; enlisted 36648641).
- Camp Ritchie Class 16; Third Army POW interrogation / SS screening.
- Accepted surrender of Gen. Jenny near Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Chicago press accounts).
- 18 January 2014 — Died.
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Later-life photograph of Kurt Meyer with family (RB Archive; restored to Gallery; not used as profile photo)
- Transcript of Military Record (enlisted ASN 36648641) — not a portrait
- Chicago newspaper clippings (RB Archive): “Jewish Refugee Revenged” / “Nazis’ Victim Turns Tables” — Gen. Jenny surrender near Garmisch-Partenkirchen; escape year 1938; Karl Meyer Dachau
- Kurt Meyer counterintelligence / Ritchie Boys clipping (RB Archive)
- Kurt Meyer portrait (RB Archive)
- Camp Ritchie Museum, Inc. Classes 1–31 roster entry for Kurt Meyer, enlisted ASN 36648641 (Class 16)
- RB Archive family correspondence from Kurt Meyer's stepchild (escape from Germany, Third Army service, and POW/SS screening)
- Camp Ritchie Museum, Inc. (The Ritchie History Museum), Classes 1–31 roster data
- Dan Gross research spreadsheets, including original Excel timeline/roster work, combined with other research and records
- NARA World War II Army enlistment records (where a NARA ASN is present)
- 1940 U.S. Census (where a census match is present)