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    SS Honor Ring from Vet's estate

    Here is an SS Honor Ring straight out of the woodwork. It was purchased from the daughter of the US Army veteran who brought it back.
    The name of this veteran was 1<SUP>st</SUP> Lieutenant John Straka Jr. who served with the 575<SUP>th</SUP> AAA Bn., attached to the 11<SUP>th</SUP> Armored Division, 7<SUP>th</SUP> Army.
    This was one of the units which helped relieve the 506<SUP>th</SUP> PIR at Bastogne and who fought in many of the same places such as Neufchateau, Foy, etc.

    The name in the ring is to an SS officer by the name of SEEWALD and it was presented on 9-11-41. It is a large size at 10 ½ and is in quite good condition for a well worn Honor ring. In my opinion, on a scale of 1 to 10, I believe this ring to rate a good strong 7!

    With the help of one of our forum members (you know who you are, thank you!) I have learned that there were three Seewald Honor ring recipients.
    An Ustuf. Peter Seewald, who served in Art. Reg. 35 (attached to the 35th SS Pol. GR. Div., which was destroyed in Russia in 44). An Ostuf. Waldemar Seewald, CO of 6<SUP>th</SUP> company/Pz. GR. 39, "Horst Wessel" Div., who was KIA on 4.9.43. And finally an Ustuf. Walter Seewald, CO of 8<SUP>th</SUP> company/GR. 95 (SS Div. Niebelungen).

    Given the area of operations of the 575<SUP>th</SUP> AAA and the area of operations of these three different SS officers, I am leaning towards the belief that the ring belonged to Ustuf. Walter Seewald of the Neibelungen Division (any other thoughts would be welcome).

    Here are some pictures of the ring and the liberator.

    Chuck
    Last edited by vonStubben; 07-25-2008, 09:20 PM.

    #2
    Ring head on
    Last edited by vonStubben; 07-25-2008, 09:20 PM.

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      #3
      Seam
      Last edited by vonStubben; 07-25-2008, 09:20 PM.

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        #4
        another of the seam area
        Last edited by vonStubben; 07-25-2008, 09:20 PM.

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          #5
          the inscription SEEWALD
          Last edited by vonStubben; 07-25-2008, 09:20 PM.

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            #6
            Date section
            Last edited by vonStubben; 07-25-2008, 09:20 PM.

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              #7
              a bit better shot
              Last edited by vonStubben; 07-25-2008, 09:20 PM.

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                #8
                H. Himmler inscription
                Last edited by vonStubben; 07-25-2008, 09:20 PM.

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                  #9
                  Another shot
                  Last edited by vonStubben; 07-25-2008, 09:19 PM.

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                    #10
                    Article on Straka, his wounding, and his unit at Bastogne.
                    Last edited by vonStubben; 07-25-2008, 09:19 PM.

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                      #11
                      Pictures from his photo album. The one photo really shows the stress these men withstood.
                      Last edited by vonStubben; 07-25-2008, 09:19 PM.

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                        #12
                        more from his album
                        Last edited by vonStubben; 07-25-2008, 09:19 PM.

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                          #13
                          His unit was also one of the American units to free Mauthausen concentration camp.
                          Last edited by vonStubben; 07-25-2008, 09:19 PM.

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                            #14
                            From the 3 names mentioned Walter would seem to be the likely candidate.

                            With the help of one of our forum members (you know who you are, thank you!) I have learned that there were three Seewald Honor ring recipients.
                            An Ustuf. Peter Seewald, who served in Art. Reg. 35 (attached to the 35th SS Pol. GR. Div., which was destroyed in Russia in 44). An Ostuf. Waldemar Seewald, CO of 6<SUP>th</SUP> company/Pz. GR. 39, "Horst Wessel" Div., who was KIA on 4.9.43. And finally an Ustuf. Walter Seewald, CO of 8<SUP>th</SUP> company/GR. 95 (SS Div. Niebelungen).
                            It doesn't really change the conclusion but for the sake of accuracy, the 35th SS Pol.Div. was only formed in Feb.45 and surrendered into Soviet captivity in the Halbe pocket, Germany, at the end of the war. The Horst Wessel division was formed in Jan.44 from the 1st SS Inf. Brigade, the 39 Gr. Rgt. named as such in Nov.43. In sept.43 it was known as SS Grenadier Rgt. 8
                            Here's Waldemar's entry in the Volksbund database.
                            http://www.volksbund.de/graebersuche...534D07B101ADBE
                            Collecting German award documents, other paperwork and photos relating to Norway and Finland.

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                              #15
                              Originally posted by Simon orchard
                              From the 3 names mentioned Walter would seem to be the likely candidate.



                              It doesn't really change the conclusion but for the sake of accuracy, the 35th SS Pol.Div. was only formed in Feb.45 and surrendered into Soviet captivity in the Halbe pocket, Germany, at the end of the war. The Horst Wessel division was formed in Jan.44 from the 1st SS Inf. Brigade, the 39 Gr. Rgt. named as such in Nov.43. In sept.43 it was known as SS Grenadier Rgt. 8
                              Here's Waldemar's entry in the Volksbund database.
                              http://www.volksbund.de/graebersuche...534D07B101ADBE
                              Thank you Simon for your thoughts, the explanation of the units, and for the link. It is much appreciated.

                              If anyone else can help find more information in regard to Walter Seewald, I would be grateful.

                              Chuck

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