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Kraus, Herbert (35059537): Difference between revisions
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|caption=Lt. Herbert Kraus, in an official photo documenting his field promotion after two years serving in Europe. | |caption=Lt. Herbert Kraus, in an official photo documenting his field promotion after two years serving in Europe. | ||
|birth_place=Demmelsdorf, Germany | |birth_place=Demmelsdorf, Germany | ||
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== Sources == | == Sources == | ||
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* 1940 U.S. Census (where a census match is present) | * 1940 U.S. Census (where a census match is present) | ||
* Ritchie Boys of WWII Facebook page, post dated 2026-08-10 (1 post) | * Ritchie Boys of WWII Facebook page, post dated 2026-08-10 (1 post) | ||
Revision as of 03:50, 31 August 2026
| Herbert Kraus | |
|---|---|
 Lt. Herbert Kraus, in an official photo documenting his field promotion after two years serving in Europe. | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1917 Demmelsdorf, Germany |
| Died | 1986 |
| Nativity | Germany |
| Religion | Jewish |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Army |
| ASN | 35059537 |
| Rank | Private |
| Camp Ritchie | Class 10 (23 July – 20 September 1943) |
| Section | 5D |
| Enlisted | Cleveland, Ohio |
| Teams | IPW 2, IPW 179 |
{{Needs source}}, or explain disagreements on talk. Baseline import notes: About the data.
Herbert Kraus (1917–1986) was a Ritchie Boy (from Germany; Jewish) who trained at Camp Ritchie in class 10 and served with IPW Team 2; 179.
Biography
Herbert Kraus was born in Demmelsdorf, Germany, in 1917, during the first World War. Demmelsdorf was a tiny hamlet with more cows than people, and fittingly, Kraus’s family was in the cattle business. As life became increasingly difficult for Jews under Hitler, Kraus escaped Nazi Germany and found refuge in the U.S. Kraus volunteered for the U.S. Army after Pearl Harbor, but was rejected because he was considered an “enemy alien.” Herbert was eventually drafted and entered the Army in April 1943. Kraus was transferred to Camp Ritchie that summer, graduating from the 10th training class in September. Kraus then served in the 36th Infantry (or T-Patch, with the “T” indicating Texas) Division during the remainder of the war. Kraus entered the Army as a Private and left as a Second Lieutenant, having received a field commission for his service. At the end of the war, Kraus uncovered the true identity of Josef "Sepp" Dietrich, a notorious Waffen SS General who was masquerading as a civilian in a POW cage. Kraus also briefly interrogated Herman Goering after he was captured by the T-Patch Division in May 1945, and he likely interrogated Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt, who held the highest field command in the German Army. Kraus remained in Germany after VE day, helping the Allies de-Nazify southwestern Germany. After the war, Kraus returned to his adopted hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, where he married, raised a family, and was involved in community and synagogue life. He died in 1986, and like so many returning soldiers, Kraus didn’t talk about his war experiences. The preceding account is based on his records uncovered and researched by his son Jeff Kraus. His brothers and mother also made it to America, but his father died shortly after Kristallnacht, the November 1938 Nazi pogrom against Germany’s Jews.
Research notes
- 3rd Army; 5th Army (?)
Gallery
-
Kraus interrogates a German POW. Note the Allied POW/capture processing or interrogation tag on his breast pocket. -
Technical record
| Field | Imported value |
|---|---|
| Approx Age at Death | 69 |
| Nara ASN | 35059537 |
| Nara Name | KRAUS HERBERT |
| Nara State | 53 |
| Nara County | 35 |
| Nara POE | 5323 |
| Nara DOE | 170443 |
| Nara Grade Alpha | PVT |
| Nara Grade Code | 8 |
| Nara Branch Alpha | NO |
| Nara Branch Code | 2 |
| Branch | No branch assignment |
| Nara Term or Enlistment | 5 |
| Term of enlistment | Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law |
| Defer. Date | 0 |
| Nara Source | 0 |
| Nara Nativity | N1 |
| Nara Year of Birth | 17 |
| Nara Race | J |
| Nara Race Description | White not yet a citizen |
| Nara Education | 4 |
| Nara Civilian Occupation | 180 |
| Nara Marital Status | 6 |
| Nara Height (inches) | 88 |
| Nara Weight (lbs) | 110 |
| Class_ASN | 35059537 |
| Class_Name | KRAUS, Herbert |
| match_method | asn_exact_name_exact |
| row_source | both |
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)
- Ritchie Boys of WWII Facebook page, post dated 2026-08-10 (1 post)