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Jacobs, Harry A (33743685): Difference between revisions
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== Biography == | == Biography == | ||
Bruce Henderson spoke tonight at the Greater Washington JCC's Lessans Family Literary Series in Rockville, MD. His talk followed a showing of Christian Bauer's 2005 documentary film, The Ritchie Boys. Bruce described how he first learned about Camp Ritchie after reading an obituary of a SF Bay area Ritchie Boy about 4 years ago. A World War II historian, he was Intrigued by the unknown story of the Ritchie Boys and decided to write a book to tell some of their stories. That resulted in the publication in 2017 of Sons and Soldiers. Two special guests in the audience were Ritchie Boys Gideon Kantor and Harry Jacobs, who coincidentally both served together in the 4th Armored Division in WWII. | Bruce Henderson spoke tonight at the Greater Washington JCC's Lessans Family Literary Series in Rockville, MD. His talk followed a showing of Christian Bauer's 2005 documentary film, The Ritchie Boys. Bruce described how he first learned about Camp Ritchie after reading an obituary of a SF Bay area Ritchie Boy about 4 years ago. A World War II historian, he was Intrigued by the unknown story of the Ritchie Boys and decided to write a book to tell some of their stories. That resulted in the publication in 2017 of Sons and Soldiers. Two special guests in the audience were Ritchie Boys Gideon Kantor and [[Jacobs, Harry A (33743685)|Harry Jacobs]], who coincidentally both served together in the 4th Armored Division in WWII. | ||
I met this evening with Ritchie Boy Harry Jacobs before escorting him and his wife Selma to the Greater Washington JCC's Lessans Family Literary Series, where Bruce Henderson spoke about his recently published book that tells incredible stories about some Ritchie Boys, Sons and Soldiers. Harry trained at Camp Ritchie, MD and Camp Sharpe, PA and specialized in Interrogation of Prisoners of War (IPW) and Order of Battle (OB). After arriving in England, he was assigned to Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF) in London. Afterwards, Harry joined OB Team 24 for duty with the 4th Armored Division. Harry entered combat on July 17, 1944 and saw action in the Ardennes, Battle of the Bulge, Bastogne, through Germany and into Czechoslovakia. He was one of the first Americans to liberate the Ohrdruf concentration camp. This is just a snapshot of Harry Jacobs' story. More will follow. A real American hero. | I met this evening with Ritchie Boy [[Jacobs, Harry A (33743685)|Harry Jacobs]] before escorting him and his wife Selma to the Greater Washington JCC's Lessans Family Literary Series, where Bruce Henderson spoke about his recently published book that tells incredible stories about some Ritchie Boys, Sons and Soldiers. Harry trained at Camp Ritchie, MD and Camp Sharpe, PA and specialized in Interrogation of Prisoners of War (IPW) and Order of Battle (OB). After arriving in England, he was assigned to Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF) in London. Afterwards, Harry joined OB Team 24 for duty with the 4th Armored Division. Harry entered combat on July 17, 1944 and saw action in the Ardennes, Battle of the Bulge, Bastogne, through Germany and into Czechoslovakia. He was one of the first Americans to liberate the Ohrdruf concentration camp. This is just a snapshot of [[Jacobs, Harry A (33743685)|Harry Jacobs]]' story. More will follow. A real American hero. | ||
Ritchie Boy Harry Jacobs published “The Pentagon Brank” in 2007. It is a fascinating novel of mystery and intrigue based on Harry’s experience in military intelligence during and after World War II. An Army counterintelligence agent, Kevin Keefer, receives a mysterious letter alleging espionage in the Pentagon. He and his superiors believe the organization involved is the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). There is speculation that the letter’s writer is somehow connected with his father’s military service in World War II. An investigation is ordered by the JCS. The FBI, CIA, and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service become engaged in the plot. Keefer suspects there is a connection between the Pentagon case and a concurrent investigation in Europe. He uncovers damaging information involving his own organization. After several trips to Europe, he discovers the author of the letter, leading to the solution of both his and the FVI’s cases. | Ritchie Boy [[Jacobs, Harry A (33743685)|Harry Jacobs]] published “The Pentagon Brank” in 2007. It is a fascinating novel of mystery and intrigue based on Harry’s experience in military intelligence during and after World War II. An Army counterintelligence agent, Kevin Keefer, receives a mysterious letter alleging espionage in the Pentagon. He and his superiors believe the organization involved is the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). There is speculation that the letter’s writer is somehow connected with his father’s military service in World War II. An investigation is ordered by the JCS. The FBI, CIA, and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service become engaged in the plot. Keefer suspects there is a connection between the Pentagon case and a concurrent investigation in Europe. He uncovers damaging information involving his own organization. After several trips to Europe, he discovers the author of the letter, leading to the solution of both his and the FVI’s cases. | ||
At the invitation of Ritchie Boy Harry Jacobs, I was able to attend an annual luncheon meeting of WWII Veterans who served in the US Army's 4th Armored Division during World War II, their families, and friends at Fort Myers in Arlington, VA. Harry had invited me because my late Father, Ritchie Boy Walter Lubran, had served in the US Army's 16th Armored Division, which had liberated Pilzen, Czechoslovakia around the same time that the 4th Armored Division was fighting in Czechoslovakia. Many veterans of the 4th AD helped cadre the newly formed 16th AD when it entered into the ETO in March 1945. Attending the meeting was special guest Brigadier General Creighton W. Abrams III, USA (Ret), whose late Father, General Creighton Abrams, Jr., had as a Lieutenant Colonel commanded the 4th Armored Division's 37th Tank Battalion during WWII. Three 4th Armored Veterans attended the luncheon and, to my surprise, all three were graduates of Camp Ritchie's Military Intelligence Training Center. I had an opportunity to talk with all three of them and will be posting some more stories in the future. | At the invitation of Ritchie Boy [[Jacobs, Harry A (33743685)|Harry Jacobs]], I was able to attend an annual luncheon meeting of WWII Veterans who served in the US Army's 4th Armored Division during World War II, their families, and friends at Fort Myers in Arlington, VA. Harry had invited me because my late Father, Ritchie Boy Walter Lubran, had served in the US Army's 16th Armored Division, which had liberated Pilzen, Czechoslovakia around the same time that the 4th Armored Division was fighting in Czechoslovakia. Many veterans of the 4th AD helped cadre the newly formed 16th AD when it entered into the ETO in March 1945. Attending the meeting was special guest Brigadier General Creighton W. Abrams III, USA (Ret), whose late Father, General Creighton Abrams, Jr., had as a Lieutenant Colonel commanded the 4th Armored Division's 37th Tank Battalion during WWII. Three 4th Armored Veterans attended the luncheon and, to my surprise, all three were graduates of Camp Ritchie's Military Intelligence Training Center. I had an opportunity to talk with all three of them and will be posting some more stories in the future. | ||
Ritchie Boy Harry Jacobs has had a WWII novel published entitled - "The Raid Toward Prague: May 1945." It became available on Amazon on June 29, 2018. Harry Jacobs graduated from Georgetown University and American University. He attended the Military Intelligence Training Center at Camp Ritchie, and was assigned to SHAEF and attached to the 4th Armored Division. His awards and decorations include 5 battle stars, the Bronze Star for Heroism, the Croix de Guerre, and the Diplome, Conseil Regional de Basse Normandie | Ritchie Boy [[Jacobs, Harry A (33743685)|Harry Jacobs]] has had a WWII novel published entitled - "The Raid Toward Prague: May 1945." It became available on Amazon on June 29, 2018. [[Jacobs, Harry A (33743685)|Harry Jacobs]] graduated from Georgetown University and American University. He attended the Military Intelligence Training Center at Camp Ritchie, and was assigned to SHAEF and attached to the 4th Armored Division. His awards and decorations include 5 battle stars, the Bronze Star for Heroism, the Croix de Guerre, and the Diplome, Conseil Regional de Basse Normandie | ||
I'm saddened to report the death of Ritchie Boy Harry A. Jacobs this past Friday, November 23, 2018 at age 94. Harry Jacobs was born in Mannheim, Germany and emigrated to the United States during the Nazi regime. He entered the 12th Class at the Military Intelligence Training Center at Camp Ritchie in September 1943, where he trained to be an Interrogator of Prisoners of War (IPW) and as an Order of Battle (OB) analyst. Jacobs was assigned to Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF), Military Intelligence Service (MIS) in London, and completed British Order of Battle School in London in May 1944. In May 1944, he was assigned to the newly established OB Team 24 for duty with the 4th Armored Division, which landed at Utah Beach and entered into combat on July 17, 1944. The 4th Armored Division was involved in action in the Ardennes, Battle of the Bulge, Bastogne, through Germany and into Czechoslovakia, and he was among the first Americans at the liberation of the Ohrdruf Concentration Camp. His awards included five battle stars, the Bronze Star Medal, the Croix de Guerre, the Diplome, Conseil Regional de Basse Normandie, and he was inducted into the French Legion of Honor in 2015. His novel, the Raid Toward Prague, was published in July 2018. Below is a photo of Harry Jacobs taken earlier this year in his home surrounded by documents, photos, and awards that he received during his Army career. | I'm saddened to report the death of Ritchie Boy Harry A. Jacobs this past Friday, November 23, 2018 at age 94. [[Jacobs, Harry A (33743685)|Harry Jacobs]] was born in Mannheim, Germany and emigrated to the United States during the Nazi regime. He entered the 12th Class at the Military Intelligence Training Center at Camp Ritchie in September 1943, where he trained to be an Interrogator of Prisoners of War (IPW) and as an Order of Battle (OB) analyst. Jacobs was assigned to Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF), Military Intelligence Service (MIS) in London, and completed British Order of Battle School in London in May 1944. In May 1944, he was assigned to the newly established OB Team 24 for duty with the 4th Armored Division, which landed at Utah Beach and entered into combat on July 17, 1944. The 4th Armored Division was involved in action in the Ardennes, Battle of the Bulge, Bastogne, through Germany and into Czechoslovakia, and he was among the first Americans at the liberation of the Ohrdruf Concentration Camp. His awards included five battle stars, the Bronze Star Medal, the Croix de Guerre, the Diplome, Conseil Regional de Basse Normandie, and he was inducted into the French Legion of Honor in 2015. His novel, the Raid Toward Prague, was published in July 2018. Below is a photo of [[Jacobs, Harry A (33743685)|Harry Jacobs]] taken earlier this year in his home surrounded by documents, photos, and awards that he received during his Army career. | ||
We're sad to announce that Selma Jacobs, widow of Ritchie Boy Harry Jacobs, passed away on April 14, 2021 at age 94 in Chevy Chase, MD. Ritchie Boy Harry Jacobs, who passed away in November 2018, was the author of two books on World War II: The Raid Toward Prague 1945, and The Pentagon Brank. | We're sad to announce that Selma Jacobs, widow of Ritchie Boy [[Jacobs, Harry A (33743685)|Harry Jacobs]], passed away on April 14, 2021 at age 94 in Chevy Chase, MD. Ritchie Boy [[Jacobs, Harry A (33743685)|Harry Jacobs]], who passed away in November 2018, was the author of two books on World War II: The Raid Toward Prague 1945, and The Pentagon Brank. | ||
== Research notes == | == Research notes == | ||
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<div class="soldier-gallery"> | <div class="soldier-gallery"> | ||
<gallery mode="packed" heights="140px"> | <gallery mode="packed" heights="140px"> | ||
1722490334439547.jpg|In the photo to the left, Bruce Henderson (left) is with Ritchie Boy Gideon Kantor (right). In the photo on the right, Dan Gross, Camp Ritchie's (Unofficial) Historian (left) is with Ritchie Boy Harry Jacobs (right). | 1722490334439547.jpg|In the photo to the left, Bruce Henderson (left) is with Ritchie Boy Gideon Kantor (right). In the photo on the right, Dan Gross, Camp Ritchie's (Unofficial) Historian (left) is with Ritchie Boy [[Jacobs, Harry A (33743685)|Harry Jacobs]] (right). | ||
1722490957772818.jpg|In the photo to the left, Bruce Henderson (left) is with Ritchie Boy Gideon Kantor (right). In the photo on the right, Dan Gross, Camp Ritchie's (Unofficial) Historian (left) is with Ritchie Boy Harry Jacobs (right). | 1722490957772818.jpg|In the photo to the left, Bruce Henderson (left) is with Ritchie Boy Gideon Kantor (right). In the photo on the right, Dan Gross, Camp Ritchie's (Unofficial) Historian (left) is with Ritchie Boy [[Jacobs, Harry A (33743685)|Harry Jacobs]] (right). | ||
1722506917771222.jpg | 1722506917771222.jpg | ||
1730207630334484.jpg | 1730207630334484.jpg | ||
1810051279016785.jpg|Pictured below, they are (left to right): Harry Jacobs, Gideon Kantor, and Alfred Shehab. | 1810051279016785.jpg|Pictured below, they are (left to right): [[Jacobs, Harry A (33743685)|Harry Jacobs]], Gideon Kantor, and [[Shehab, Alfred H. M. (01012319)|Alfred Shehab]]. | ||
2057022217653022.jpg | 2057022217653022.jpg | ||
2133378296684080.jpg | 2133378296684080.jpg | ||
Revision as of 12:44, 26 August 2026
| Harry A Jacobs | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Jakob Helmut |
| Born | 1924 |
| Died | 2018 |
| Nativity | Germany |
| Religion | Jewish |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Army |
| ASN | 33743685 |
| Rank | Private |
| Camp Ritchie | Class 12 (27 September – 25 November 1943) |
| Section | 5B |
| Enlisted | Ft Myer, Virginia |
{{Needs source}}, or explain disagreements on talk. Baseline import notes: About the data.
Harry A Jacobs (1924–2018) was a Ritchie Boy (born Jakob; Helmut; from Germany; Jewish) who trained at Camp Ritchie in class 12.
Biography
Bruce Henderson spoke tonight at the Greater Washington JCC's Lessans Family Literary Series in Rockville, MD. His talk followed a showing of Christian Bauer's 2005 documentary film, The Ritchie Boys. Bruce described how he first learned about Camp Ritchie after reading an obituary of a SF Bay area Ritchie Boy about 4 years ago. A World War II historian, he was Intrigued by the unknown story of the Ritchie Boys and decided to write a book to tell some of their stories. That resulted in the publication in 2017 of Sons and Soldiers. Two special guests in the audience were Ritchie Boys Gideon Kantor and Harry Jacobs, who coincidentally both served together in the 4th Armored Division in WWII.
I met this evening with Ritchie Boy Harry Jacobs before escorting him and his wife Selma to the Greater Washington JCC's Lessans Family Literary Series, where Bruce Henderson spoke about his recently published book that tells incredible stories about some Ritchie Boys, Sons and Soldiers. Harry trained at Camp Ritchie, MD and Camp Sharpe, PA and specialized in Interrogation of Prisoners of War (IPW) and Order of Battle (OB). After arriving in England, he was assigned to Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF) in London. Afterwards, Harry joined OB Team 24 for duty with the 4th Armored Division. Harry entered combat on July 17, 1944 and saw action in the Ardennes, Battle of the Bulge, Bastogne, through Germany and into Czechoslovakia. He was one of the first Americans to liberate the Ohrdruf concentration camp. This is just a snapshot of Harry Jacobs' story. More will follow. A real American hero.
Ritchie Boy Harry Jacobs published “The Pentagon Brank” in 2007. It is a fascinating novel of mystery and intrigue based on Harry’s experience in military intelligence during and after World War II. An Army counterintelligence agent, Kevin Keefer, receives a mysterious letter alleging espionage in the Pentagon. He and his superiors believe the organization involved is the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). There is speculation that the letter’s writer is somehow connected with his father’s military service in World War II. An investigation is ordered by the JCS. The FBI, CIA, and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service become engaged in the plot. Keefer suspects there is a connection between the Pentagon case and a concurrent investigation in Europe. He uncovers damaging information involving his own organization. After several trips to Europe, he discovers the author of the letter, leading to the solution of both his and the FVI’s cases.
At the invitation of Ritchie Boy Harry Jacobs, I was able to attend an annual luncheon meeting of WWII Veterans who served in the US Army's 4th Armored Division during World War II, their families, and friends at Fort Myers in Arlington, VA. Harry had invited me because my late Father, Ritchie Boy Walter Lubran, had served in the US Army's 16th Armored Division, which had liberated Pilzen, Czechoslovakia around the same time that the 4th Armored Division was fighting in Czechoslovakia. Many veterans of the 4th AD helped cadre the newly formed 16th AD when it entered into the ETO in March 1945. Attending the meeting was special guest Brigadier General Creighton W. Abrams III, USA (Ret), whose late Father, General Creighton Abrams, Jr., had as a Lieutenant Colonel commanded the 4th Armored Division's 37th Tank Battalion during WWII. Three 4th Armored Veterans attended the luncheon and, to my surprise, all three were graduates of Camp Ritchie's Military Intelligence Training Center. I had an opportunity to talk with all three of them and will be posting some more stories in the future.
Ritchie Boy Harry Jacobs has had a WWII novel published entitled - "The Raid Toward Prague: May 1945." It became available on Amazon on June 29, 2018. Harry Jacobs graduated from Georgetown University and American University. He attended the Military Intelligence Training Center at Camp Ritchie, and was assigned to SHAEF and attached to the 4th Armored Division. His awards and decorations include 5 battle stars, the Bronze Star for Heroism, the Croix de Guerre, and the Diplome, Conseil Regional de Basse Normandie
I'm saddened to report the death of Ritchie Boy Harry A. Jacobs this past Friday, November 23, 2018 at age 94. Harry Jacobs was born in Mannheim, Germany and emigrated to the United States during the Nazi regime. He entered the 12th Class at the Military Intelligence Training Center at Camp Ritchie in September 1943, where he trained to be an Interrogator of Prisoners of War (IPW) and as an Order of Battle (OB) analyst. Jacobs was assigned to Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF), Military Intelligence Service (MIS) in London, and completed British Order of Battle School in London in May 1944. In May 1944, he was assigned to the newly established OB Team 24 for duty with the 4th Armored Division, which landed at Utah Beach and entered into combat on July 17, 1944. The 4th Armored Division was involved in action in the Ardennes, Battle of the Bulge, Bastogne, through Germany and into Czechoslovakia, and he was among the first Americans at the liberation of the Ohrdruf Concentration Camp. His awards included five battle stars, the Bronze Star Medal, the Croix de Guerre, the Diplome, Conseil Regional de Basse Normandie, and he was inducted into the French Legion of Honor in 2015. His novel, the Raid Toward Prague, was published in July 2018. Below is a photo of Harry Jacobs taken earlier this year in his home surrounded by documents, photos, and awards that he received during his Army career.
We're sad to announce that Selma Jacobs, widow of Ritchie Boy Harry Jacobs, passed away on April 14, 2021 at age 94 in Chevy Chase, MD. Ritchie Boy Harry Jacobs, who passed away in November 2018, was the author of two books on World War II: The Raid Toward Prague 1945, and The Pentagon Brank.
Research notes
- Also Class 10 GerOB
- Camp Sharpe
- OB 24
Gallery
-
In the photo to the left, Bruce Henderson (left) is with Ritchie Boy Gideon Kantor (right). In the photo on the right, Dan Gross, Camp Ritchie's (Unofficial) Historian (left) is with Ritchie Boy Harry Jacobs (right). -
In the photo to the left, Bruce Henderson (left) is with Ritchie Boy Gideon Kantor (right). In the photo on the right, Dan Gross, Camp Ritchie's (Unofficial) Historian (left) is with Ritchie Boy Harry Jacobs (right). -
-
-
Pictured below, they are (left to right): Harry Jacobs, Gideon Kantor, and Alfred Shehab. -
-
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-
Technical record
| Field | Imported value |
|---|---|
| Approx Age at Death | 94 |
| Nara ASN | 33743685 |
| Nara Name | JACOBS HARRY A |
| Nara State | 34 |
| Nara County | 1 |
| Nara POE | 3347 |
| Nara DOE | 230643 |
| 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 | 24 |
| Nara Race | J |
| Nara Race Description | White not yet a citizen |
| Nara Education | 5 |
| Nara Civilian Occupation | 101 |
| Nara Marital Status | 6 |
| Nara Height (inches) | 4 |
| Nara Weight (lbs) | 0 |
| Class_ASN | 33743685 |
| Class_Name | JACOB, Helmut Albert; JAKOB, Helmut A. |
| match_method | pass2_asn_last |
| row_source | both |
Sources
- Camp Ritchie class roster (classes 1–31), merged research file
- 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 2018-01-26 (2 posts)
- Ritchie Boys of WWII Facebook page, post dated 2018-02-02 (1 post)
- Ritchie Boys of WWII Facebook page, post dated 2018-04-16 (1 post)
- Ritchie Boys of WWII Facebook page, post dated 2018-10-05 (1 post)
- Ritchie Boys of WWII Facebook page, post dated 2018-11-26 (1 post)
- Ritchie Boys of WWII Facebook page, post dated 2021-08-06 (1 post)