Strap, Shoulder

Object Name:

Strap, Shoulder

Object ID:

2016.027.04.1-2

Creator:

Gemsco

Place of Origin:

New York, NY

Date:

1942-1954

Description:

Pair of shoulder insignia (straps or boards), worn by Brigadier General Onslow S. Rolfe (1895-1985) of Concord, NH, during World War II. Convex, rectangular boards covered in black wool felt with gold metallic border. Silver metallic star in center of each. 2016.027.04.1 has two metal clips on back, one of which is stamped "GEMSCO" within a wreath. 2016.027.04.2 has a clip stamped "U.S. PAT. / 2845630 / GEMSCO N.Y." and a black metal snap.

Material:

Textile
Wool
Metal

Dimensions:

W-1.8 L-3.8 inches

Provenance:

Part of the Onslow Sherburne Rolfe Papers, containing approximately 125 items including photographic prints, photograph albums, published histories, genealogy materials, loose papers, certificates, medals, patches, military decorations, and other items documenting the life and career of General Onslow Sherburne Rolfe (1895-1985). The collection was donated by his daughter.

Onslow Sherburne Rolfe was born in Concord, NH, on January 16, 1895, to Robert Henry Rolfe and Grace Stearns Rolfe, the daughter of New Hampshire Governor Onslow Stearns. He attended West Point and then served in World War I with the Third Division. After the war, he attended several officer and military training schools and was posted to a variety of positions. He then went on to command the 87th Mountain Battalion Reinforced (Ski Troops) and the Mountain Winter Warfare Schools in 1941. In 1942 the Battalion was expanded to a Regiment, which he commanded. He then went onto become Assistant Division Commander of the 71st Infantry Division and travelled to Europe with the division during World War II. After the war, he was appointed Land Salzburg Area Commander in Salzburg, Austria. He returned to the United States and worked in the Research and Development Section at Fort Monroe, VA. He then went to Japan in 1952, where he headed the Northern Command. He returned to the U.S. in 1954, when he was placed on the Temporary Disability Retired List, then in 1959, the Permanent Retired List. He and his wife, Nan Elizabeth (Belles) Rolfe retired to Winter Park, FL, where he was active in retired military, Masonic, and golfing organizations.

Credit Line:

Gift of Ann R. Symroski

People:

Rolfe, Onslow S. (1895-1985)

Subjects:

World War II, Generals