On June 6, 1944, six Princeton University alumni joined the invasion of Normandy known as "D-Day." They'd just heard that their alma mater's gymnasium had burned down. Shortly after the mission, the group gathered a donation of 100 francs in Allied Military Currency to send to Princeton, along with a letter written on a paper towel. The donation was earmarked to repair the gymnasium and to build a new campus library (i.e., the future Firestone Library). Their letter said, "Both buildings represent much that we are fighting for."
University Librarian Julian P. Boyd wrote to thank them on July 24, 1944. Lt. Frederic "Freddie" E. Fox '39 kept the letter, it seems, and made this display when he came back, including a news clipping about the "invasion money" and some Allied Military francs.
Princeton University Library Records (AC123), Box 491.
I remember Freddie Fox, who was around campus a lot in the early '80s.
