The 42nd Infantry Division of the National Guard earned the nickname “Rainbow Division”  because it comprised units from several states that didn’t have their own divisions. Named for its makeup of soldiers from across the United States, the division symbolized unity in the face of global conflict. 

During World War II, the Rainbow Division played a vital role in liberating the Dachau concentration camp in Germany—an experience that left a lasting impact on the soldiers who witnessed the horrors firsthand. Among them were many Jewish-American troops, some of whom had family affected by Nazi persecution. Their contributions were acts of both liberation and personal justice. 

The Philipson Collection includes images and stories from the Rainbow Division that highlight their heroism and their role in confronting the realities of the Holocaust.

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