Wallet Represents Recovery of Personal Property After 9/11

A wallet belonging to Giovanna Gambale is displayed at the Museum. The red wallet is heavily damaged and stained with dirt. The contents of the wallet, including credit cards, coupons, note paper, and coins have been laid out in front of it.
A police officer found the wallet of Giovanna Gambale in the ruins of the World Trade Center. (Photo: Deena Farrell)

The recovery of personal property in the wreckage of the World Trade Center after 9/11 strengthened the resolve of workers discouraged by the realization the some victims’ remains might never be found.

About two weeks after 9/11, a police officer found a leather wallet in the ruins of the Marriott Hotel located at 3 World Trade Center. Opening the wallet to look for identification, she recognized the owner’s name as that of her daughter’s friend, Giovanna Gambale, who was an employee of eSpeed, a subsidiary of Cantor Fitzgerald on the 105th floor of the North Tower.

The wallet was returned to the Gambale family through the NYPD Property Clerk Division’s WTC Property Recovery Operation.

By Deena Farrell, 9/11 Memorial Communications Intern

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