Name/Title
World War II Key to Victory PinEntry/Object ID
2026.337.1Description
World War II Key to Victory pin, carved out of wood.Context
Belonged to Martha and Bernice Parfitt. Bernice served in the US Coast Guard during WWII and their brother, Francis, was killed in the war. Bernice Parfitt was a native of Ripon. She graduated from Ripon High School and during WWII she joined the U.S. Coast Guard becoming a Petty Officer 2nd Class. When she returned to Ripon she joined her parents at their photography business, Parfitt Studios.
Martha Parfitt (1914-2013) and Bernice Parfitt (1920-2021) were born in Ripon, the daughters of Harry and Anna (Becker) Parfitt. Martha attended Ripon schools, graduating at 16 years old as valedictorian of her class. Martha attended Oshkosh Business College and worked for a short time at Fond du Lac Court House. On the death of her father, she returned home to work until her mother’s passing. Martha worked in the family-owned photography studio that her parents began in 1913, which Martha later took over.
Bernice also attended Ripon schools. During WWII she enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard and became a Petty Officer 2nd Class. After the service she attended professional photography school and took courses related to photography. Upon completion she returned home to work with her sister. Bernice worked there until her parents retired.Acquisition
Accession
2026.337Source or Donor
Jill DudzinskiAcquisition Method
DonationLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
Pin, BarNomenclature Primary Object Term
Pin, ClothingNomenclature Sub-Class
Clothing AccessoriesNomenclature Class
ClothingNomenclature Category
Category 03: Personal Objects