Spiess Collection

Helmet Liner
2015.029.002
4th Army Colonel's Helmet Liner with badly damaged head band dated 1958 cap device, gold hat band, orange Signal Corp band Worn by Lt. Col. Frank Spiess Sr. 4th Army Interior mud/damage from Hurricane Katrina, 2005 This helmet liner was worn... View Full Record
Belt
2015.029.003
Field Artillery Officer's Dress Belt Worn by COL Frank Spiess Sr. marked "The Gemcraft Belt/Registered/Top Grain Cowhide" Lt.Co. Spiess was an officer of the Field Artillery of the Louisiana National Guard. This is the belt he wore, with the Fi... View Full Record
Cap, Service
2015.029.004
Portions of an Officer's Dress Service Cap Worn by Lt. Col. Frank Spiess Sr. Bill, branch color band (artillery) and gold hat band. This is the remainder of the cap worn by Lt. Col. Spiess. ... View Full Record
Epaulettes
2015.029.006
pair shoulder straps worn by COL Frank G, Spiess, Sr. Assistant Adjutant General 1948- ... View Full Record
Cap Device
2015.029.007
Officer's Cap Device worn by COL Frank G, Spiess, Sr. c. 1930s-70s This cap badge was on Lt. Col. Spiess' cap during his service with the Louisiana National Guard.... View Full Record
Collar Brass
2015.029.008
Pair Antiaircraft Artillery Collar Insignia worn by COL Frank G, Spiess, Sr. c. 1946-70s ... View Full Record
Collar Brass
2015.029.009
Pair U.S. Collar Insignia worn by COL Frank G, Spiess, Sr. c. 1940s-70s ... View Full Record
Cufflinks
2015.029.010
Pair Cufflinks worn by COL Frank G, Spiess, Sr. c. 1930s-70s These cufflinks were worn by Lt. Col. Spiess.... View Full Record
Cufflinks
2015.029.011
Pair Cufflinks worn by COL Frank G, Spiess, Sr. c. 1930s-70s These cufflinks were worn by Lt. Col. Spiess.... View Full Record
Ribbon
2015.029.012
Silver Star Ribbon worn by COL Frank G, Spiess, Sr. c. 1946-70s During World War II, Lt. Col. Frank Spiess was awarded the Silver Star.... View Full Record
Ribbon
2015.029.013
Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon worn by COL Frank G, Spiess, Sr. c. 1946-70s The Presidential Unit Citation was awarded to the 773rd Tank Destroyer Battalion for its actions during the Battle of Chambois, August 17-18, 1944. This battle helped... View Full Record
Wallet
2015.029.015
Identification Wallet marked Frank G, Spiess c. 1942-70s ... View Full Record
Bookend
2015.029.017
76mm Anti-Tank Artillery Round Bookends shot from M10 Anti-Tank Destroyer Property of Frank Spiess, Sr. c. post 1946 The 76mm anti-tank round was used by the M10 Tank Destroyer, the main weapon of the 773rd Tank Destroyer Battalion until April... View Full Record
Dish
2015.029.020
Five (5) 773rd Tank Destroyer Battalion Small Dishes spoon rests? Property of Frank Spiess, Sr. c. post 1946 Memento dishes with the tank destoyer insignia on it with "773rd Tank Destroyer Battalion" around it. ... View Full Record
Dish
2015.029.019
Five (5) 773rd Tank Destroyer Battalion Small Dishes spoon rests? Distinguished Unit Insignia Property of Frank Spiess, Sr. c. post 1946 Memento dishes with the unit insiginia of the 773rd Tank Destroyer Battalion printed on it. ... View Full Record
Mug
2015.029.022
"773rd Tank Destroyer Battalion memento mug "Frank G. Spiess" "Northern France/Ardennes/Rhineland/Central-Europe "Scotland/England/Wales/France/Luxembourg/Belgium/Germany/Czechoslovakia "Bavaria... Germany" c. 1950s... View Full Record
Mug
2015.029.024
Two 773rd Tank Destroyer Battalion memento mugs "17th Reunion" "1982) etc. ... View Full Record
Mug
2015.029.025
773rd Tank Destroyer Battalion memento mug "21st Reunion" "1990) etc. ... View Full Record
Map
2015.029.027
Framed Silk Map "Zones of France" Mar 1944 Possibly one used by Frank Spiess Sr commanding the 773rd Tank Destroyer Bn. ... View Full Record
Cushion
2015.029.018
773rd Tank Destroyer Battalion Cushion hooked fabric design Property of Frank Spiess, Sr. c. post 1946 ... View Full Record
Mug
2015.029.023
"773rd Tank Destroyer Battalion memento mug "Lt. Col. Frank G. Spiess" "New Orleans, Louisiana c. 1950s... View Full Record
Mug
2015.029.021
LA Guard memento mug Property of Frank Spiess, Jr. or Sr. "USA" on bottom c. 1970s... View Full Record
Buttons
2015.029.014
Officer's Buttons Army Green Service Coat? worn by COL Frank G, Spiess, Sr. (or Jr?) c. 1946-70s ... View Full Record
Grenade, Training
2015.029.016
Pineapple Hand Grenade Trainer re-painted in 2015 c. 1942-46 ... View Full Record
Drawing
2014.011.001
Pencil Sketch, framed Notation on back reads" "LT. Col. Frank G. Spiess (New Orleans, La) Southwest of Paris, France August 1944 World War II 773rd Tank Destroyer Bn. (Third U.S. Army) Commanding Officer Sketch made during combat by" ... View Full Record
Boots
2014.011.002
Officer's Russett Brown Tanker's Boots worn by COL Frank Spiess, 773rd Tank Destroyer Battalion... View Full Record
Belt, Sam Brown
2014.011.003
Sam Brown Belt worn by LTC Frank G. Spiess 773rd Tank Destroyer Bn. World War II... View Full Record
Boots
2014.011.004
Officer's Tall Russett Brown Boots worn by COL Frank Spiess, 773rd Tank Destroyer Battalion... View Full Record
Boot Hook
2014.011.005
Boot Hooks used by LTC Frank G. Spiess 773rd Tank Destroyer Bn. World War II... View Full Record
Belt
2014.011.006
Khaki Belt worn by LTC Frank G. Spiess 773rd Tank Destroyer Bn. World War II "U.S. J.Q.M.D. 1944 40"... View Full Record
Binoculars
2014.011.007
Binoculars in black leather case used by Lt. Col. Frank Spiess "F.G. Spiess 0266094" ... View Full Record
Mitten
2014.011.009
Right-hand Mitten Leather wih palm opening for fingers. "Frank G. Spiess 6-266094" This mitten was used by Lt. Col. Spiess during World War II.... View Full Record
Hat
2014.011.010
Winter Hat "Frank G. Spiess N0-266094" During World War II, the 773rd Tankn Destroyer Battalion participated in the Battle of the Bulge. Lt. Col. Spiess wore this hat during the battle.... View Full Record
Hat
2014.011.011
Winter Hat "Frank G. Spiess NOMA HAT CO., Inc. Cont. W-669-qm-16416 Dated Mar. 4, 1942 Stock No. 73-H-64410 Q.M.C. Tent Spec. P.Q.D. No. 25 Dated 2/10/41 Phila. Q. M. Depot W.C. Bell" An example of an early war winter hat. Lt. Col. Spie... View Full Record
Slide Rule
2014.011.013
Atlas or Midget Slide Rule used by "Captain F.G. Spiess BOC 7. F.A.S." Eugene Dietzgen Co. (c) 1935 $6.00 Fabrikoid Case $.80 extra 4.25 inch diameter ... View Full Record
Sewing Kit
2014.011.014
Personal Sewing Kit with scissors, razor blade, needles, pins thread, thimble and buttons "Frank G. Spiess 6-266094"... View Full Record
Portfolio
2014.011.016
File Portfolio Pouch "Colonel Frank G. Spiess 773rd Tank Detroyer Battalion" ... View Full Record
Razor Blades
2014.011.022
Pack of "Gem" Single Razor Blades used by LTC Frank Spiess, 773rd Tank Destroyer Battalion World War II... View Full Record
Hearing Aid
2014.011.023
Hearing Aid worn by LTC Frank Spiess Artillerymen were particularily suseptable to hearing loss, thus requiring hearing aids later in life.... View Full Record
Patch, Shoulder Sleeve Insignia
2014.011.024
Shoulder Sleeve Insignia This is the insignia for the Tank Destroyer Force. This patch was worn by Lt. Col. Spiess, commading officer of the 773rd Tank Destroyer Battalion... View Full Record
Nametag
2014.011.025
Leather Nametag "Spiess Asst. Adj. Gen. LA" ... View Full Record
Saber
2014.011.030
M1902 Officer's Saber used by LTC Frank Spiess "M.C. Lilley & Co. Columbus, Ohio" bakelite handle... View Full Record
Handkerchief
2014.011.064
Women's Handkerchief "Thelma" or maybe "Helena" probably gifted to LTC Frank Spiess, 773 Tank Destroyer Battalion during movement through Europe, 1944-45. World War II It was not uncommon for woman to give gifts such as this handkerchief... View Full Record
Streamer
2014.011.067
US Campaign Streamer "Argentan-Falaise Gap, Chambois, France" World War II During the battle of the Falaise Gap, the 773rd Tank Destroyer Battalion fought at Chambois, France with the 90th Infantry. Between August 17 and August 21, the battalion... View Full Record
Flag
2014.011.068
Nazi Germany Flag Vehicle Banner Collected by Lt. Col. Frank Spiess, 773 Tank Destroyer Battalion as they crossed the Siegfried Line north of Luxemberg on January 30th, 1945 (F. Spiess. Jr. pers.comm. 3/11/14). World War II... View Full Record
Suitcase
2014.011.069
Large Black Suitcase "LT. COL. FRANK G. SPIESS 0-266094" 773 Tank Destroyer Battalion World War II This piece of luggage was used by Lt. Col. Spiess during his time in World War II.... View Full Record
Decal
2014.011.073
Washington Artillery Decals (2)... View Full Record
Game Piece
2014.011.050
Dice-Like Game Piece World War II This is a die for an unknown game possibly played by Lt. Col. Spiess.... View Full Record
Sword
2014.011.029
Luftwaffe Sword, Scabbard and Hanger "Solingen" German Air Force Many American G.I.s collected German militaria while fighting in Europe. This is one example of the items brought home by Lt. Col. Spiess.... View Full Record
Dagger
2014.011.028
Reichs Labor Service RAD Hewer and Sheath German Labor Service Dagger This is another example of the items brought home with Lt. Col. Spiess. The German on the blade reads "work nobly."... View Full Record
Cap, Garrison
2014.011.017
Three (3) Garrison Caps Hungarian Artillery never issued Although never fighting in Hungary during the war, Lt. Col. Spiess became the owner of many items from the Hungarian Artillery. Lt. Col. Spiess may have traded something, like food, to... View Full Record
Flag
666338
773 Tank Destroyer Battalion Flag Damaged during Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Cleaned in 2017 (Rebecca Marcus). Could be the flag in the picture of the 773rd Tank Destroyer Battalion in Petrovice, Czechoslovakia, 1945 (see Spiess Collection). ... View Full Record
Photograph
2015.029.032 (15)
Battalion flag and US flag in Petrovice, Czechoslovakia, 1945
World War II Photograph Owned by Frank Spiess, Sr. Commander, 773rd Tank Destroyer Bn This picture shows the battalion flag and US flag in Petrovice, Czechoslovakia in 1945. This may be the battalion flag in the Jackson Barracks archive. ... View Full Record