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Michaels, Rudolf H. (39007411): Difference between revisions
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|class_display=16 | |class_display=16 | ||
|overseas=Y | |overseas=Y | ||
|birth_place=Germany | |birth_place=East Prussia, Germany | ||
|rank_final=Major | |rank_final=Major | ||
|birth_date=28 July 1916 | |||
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== Biography == | == Biography == | ||
Rudolf | Rudolf Michaels was born in East Prussia in 1916 and grew up in Leipzig. Barred from university as a Jew, he began a bank apprenticeship after school. In 1938 he emigrated alone to the United States; after Kristallnacht his family escaped to England. | ||
Drafted in 1941 under the name Michaels (formerly Michaelis), he trained at Camp Ritchie in early 1944 and landed in France with the 5th Armored Division, where he was noted for successful interrogations. In fall 1945 he returned to the United States, earned a law doctorate, practiced and taught law, and later served as a judge. | |||
== Research notes == | == Research notes == | ||
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<div class="soldier-timeline-body"> | <div class="soldier-timeline-body"> | ||
* Born 28 July 1916 in Germany. | * Born 28 July 1916 in Germany. | ||
* 1938 — Emigrated alone to the United States. | |||
* After Kristallnacht (1938) — Family escaped to England. | |||
* 1941 — Drafted into the U.S. Army (name changed to Michaels). | |||
* 31 August 1942 — Became naturalized citizen. | * 31 August 1942 — Became naturalized citizen. | ||
* 5 April 1944 — Graduated Class 16 (Asst Interrogator, German). | * 5 April 1944 — Graduated Class 16 (Asst Interrogator, German). | ||
* Fall 1945 — Returned to the United States; began law studies. | |||
* Assigned to IPW Team 78 attached to 5th Armored Division. | * Assigned to IPW Team 78 attached to 5th Armored Division. | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
</div><div style="clear: both;"></div> | </div><div style="clear: both;"></div> | ||
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* Dan Gross, ''Timeline of Rudolf H. Michaels for Camp Ritchie'' (private research document; 1 source documents reviewed) | * Dan Gross, ''Timeline of Rudolf H. Michaels for Camp Ritchie'' (private research document; 1 source documents reviewed) | ||
* Dan Gross, ''Timeline of Michaels, Rudolf H. for Camp Ritchie'' (private research files; selected non-private narrative findings; 1 source files: RUDOLF H. MICHAELS.doc) | * Dan Gross, ''Timeline of Michaels, Rudolf H. for Camp Ritchie'' (private research files; selected non-private narrative findings; 1 source files: RUDOLF H. MICHAELS.doc) | ||
* [https://ritchieboys.com/EN/boys_michaels.html The Ritchie Boys: Rudolf Michaels] | |||
Revision as of 04:11, 15 September 2026
| Rudolf H. Michaels | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 28 July 1916 East Prussia, Germany |
| Died | 2009 |
| Nativity | Germany |
| Religion | Jewish |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Army |
| ASN | 39007411 |
| Rank | Major |
| Rank at Ritchie | Technical Sergeant |
| Camp Ritchie | Class 16 (6 February – 5 April 1944) |
| Section | 5C |
| Enlisted | San Francisco, California |
| Team | IPW 78 |
On film Rudolf H. Michaels appears in The Ritchie Boys (Christian Bauer, 2004).
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.
Rudolf H. Michaels (1916–2009) was a United States Army T/Sgt who trained at Camp Ritchie, Maryland, in Class 16.
Biography
Rudolf Michaels was born in East Prussia in 1916 and grew up in Leipzig. Barred from university as a Jew, he began a bank apprenticeship after school. In 1938 he emigrated alone to the United States; after Kristallnacht his family escaped to England.
Drafted in 1941 under the name Michaels (formerly Michaelis), he trained at Camp Ritchie in early 1944 and landed in France with the 5th Armored Division, where he was noted for successful interrogations. In fall 1945 he returned to the United States, earned a law doctorate, practiced and taught law, and later served as a judge.
Research notes
- Ritchie Boy
- Law school professor
- judge
- Portrait and summary from Notable Ritchie Boys slides ( )
Gallery
After you are autoconfirmed, upload a photo and add [[File:Example.jpg|thumb|caption]] here, or set |photo=Example.jpg in the infobox.
Technical record
| Field | Imported value |
|---|---|
| Approx Age at Death | 93 |
| Nara ASN | 39007411 |
| Nara Name | MICHAELS RUDOLF H |
| Nara State | 91 |
| Nara County | 75 |
| Nara POE | 9175 |
| Nara DOE | 110441 |
| Nara Grade Alpha | PVT |
| Nara Grade Code | 8 |
| Nara Branch Alpha | BI |
| Nara Branch Code | 0 |
| Branch | Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA |
| Nara Term or Enlistment | 0 |
| Term of enlistment | Unknown |
| Defer. Date | 0 |
| Nara Source | 0 |
| Nara Nativity | N1 |
| Nara Year of Birth | 16 |
| Nara Race | J |
| Nara Race Description | White not yet a citizen |
| Nara Education | 0 |
| Nara Civilian Occupation | 118 |
| Nara Marital Status | 6 |
| Nara Height (inches) | 74 |
| Nara Weight (lbs) | 177 |
| Class_ASN | 39007411 |
| Class_Name | MICHAELS, Rudolf H. |
| match_method | asn_exact_name_exact |
| row_source | both |
Timeline
- Born 28 July 1916 in Germany.
- 1938 — Emigrated alone to the United States.
- After Kristallnacht (1938) — Family escaped to England.
- 1941 — Drafted into the U.S. Army (name changed to Michaels).
- 31 August 1942 — Became naturalized citizen.
- 5 April 1944 — Graduated Class 16 (Asst Interrogator, German).
- Fall 1945 — Returned to the United States; began law studies.
- Assigned to IPW Team 78 attached to 5th Armored Division.
Sources
- 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)
- Dan Gross, Timeline of Rudolf H. Michaels for Camp Ritchie (private research document; 1 source documents reviewed)
- Dan Gross, Timeline of Michaels, Rudolf H. for Camp Ritchie (private research files; selected non-private narrative findings; 1 source files: RUDOLF H. MICHAELS.doc)
- The Ritchie Boys: Rudolf Michaels