As you recall from previous posts, the 1942 Rose Bowl game that pitted Oregon State against Duke came at a tumultuous time in our country. Weeks before the game the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, causing the game being moved from California to Duke’s campus in Raleigh, North Carolina. Within a few days after the bombing, America would be at war with both Japan and Germany, and many of the men on both football teams would soon be in the war themselves, with some making the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
This white pinback is a little larger than a silver dollar and reads in Duke blue writing “BEAT HITLER AND OREGON STATE.” While I’m sure many Duke fans wore that pin proudly back in 1942, this is the only one I have ever seen. I have no idea if there was a “Beat Hitler and Duke” pin created for the OSU side, but if there was, I’m sure if would have been worn proudly too!
This pin is great example of sports and world events bringing a group of fans together and the nationalism that often ensues. While the pin was made for Duke fans, I felt it was just too good to not post on an OSU memorabilia blog!
Beaver Relics 
Looks like my first grade kid randomly set the font sizing for each word and then did the centering!
Yep. Their computers weren’t as good back then.
That’s a very cool pin with lots of history.