Military

The Museum's superb military collections document the history of the men and women of the armed forces of the United States. The collections include ordnance, firearms, and swords; uniforms and insignia; national and military flags and banners; and many other objects.

The strength of the collections lies in their enormous depth. Some 3,000 military small arms and 2,400 civilian firearms document the mechanical and technological history of the infantryman's weapons from the beginning of the gunpowder era to the present. Among the 4,000 swords and knives in the collection are many spectacular presentation pieces. The collections also include Civil War era telegraph equipment, home front artifacts from both world wars, early computers such as ENIAC, Whirlwind, and Sage, and materials carried at antiwar demonstrations.

This Compromise Settlement Award Sheet was the result of the Japanese American Evacuation Claims Act of July 2, 1948.
Description
This Compromise Settlement Award Sheet was the result of the Japanese American Evacuation Claims Act of July 2, 1948. This legislative measure was enacted to compensate the Japanese American citizens that were forcefully removed from their homes and lost most, if not all, of their property.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1952-02-13
ID Number
1986.3128.05
nonaccession number
1986.3128
catalog number
1986.3128.05
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
maker
Harrington & Richardson Arms Co.
ID Number
AF.65744M
catalog number
65744M
accession number
227493
serial number
4173
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
associated date
ca 1950
user, associated person
May, Geraldine P.
ID Number
1987.0195.02
catalog number
1987.0195.02
accession number
1987.0195
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
maker
Harrington & Richardson Arms Co.
ID Number
AF.65746M
catalog number
65746M
accession number
227493
serial number
4291
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1957
maker
Springfield Armory
ID Number
AF.65357MA
catalog number
65357MA
accession number
226492
serial number
54
catalog number
65357MAV/Uu
Oil on illustration board. Portrait of four star General Chung IL-Kwon. Army Service Ribbons for Decorations and Medals include: Distinguished Service Cross. IL-Kwon wears two unknown Republic of Korea Merit Ribbons above his right breast pocket.
Description
Oil on illustration board. Portrait of four star General Chung IL-Kwon. Army Service Ribbons for Decorations and Medals include: Distinguished Service Cross. IL-Kwon wears two unknown Republic of Korea Merit Ribbons above his right breast pocket. He possibly wears a Korean medal of merit (in the shape of a sun) below his left breast pocket. IL-Kwon wears a blue and white shoulder tab that says "KOREA" above a blue and white triangle patch insignia (inside are three small white stars at the triangle's points and one large white star in the middle of the triangle). He also wears a black tie and glasses.
Location
Currently not on view
associated date
1951 - 1953
associated person
Chase, Joseph Cummings
Chase, Joseph Cummings
artist
Chase, Joseph Cummings
ID Number
AF.58381M
catalog number
58381M
accession number
211728
Physical DescriptionLeather tops and leather cuffs with double strap and buckles. Seven eyelets; interior of straps lined in white canvas. "EJ/HTS" in relief on sole, "RUSSELL HATCH 57100176" handwritten in ink on inside cuff.
Description
Physical Description
Leather tops and leather cuffs with double strap and buckles. Seven eyelets; interior of straps lined in white canvas. "EJ/HTS" in relief on sole, "RUSSELL HATCH 57100176" handwritten in ink on inside cuff.
date made
ca 1952
ID Number
1978.0260.086
accession number
1978.0260
catalog number
1978.0260.086
The IAS Computer was named for the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey. The computer was built from 1946 to 1951 at the Institute under the direction of John von Neumann, a mathematics professor at both Princeton University and the Institute for Advanced Study.
Description
The IAS Computer was named for the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey. The computer was built from 1946 to 1951 at the Institute under the direction of John von Neumann, a mathematics professor at both Princeton University and the Institute for Advanced Study. Funds for the computer came from the Institute, the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, and several military agencies of the U.S. Government. It cost several hundred thousand dollars. The goal of developing the IAS was to make digital computer designs more practical and efficient.
For further information about the computer, see Willis H. Ware. The History and Development of the Electronic Computer Project at the Institute for Advanced Study (1953). This is available online.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1946-1951
director
von Neumann, John
previous owner
Institute for Advanced Study
maker
von Neumann, John
Institute for Advanced Study
ID Number
CI.320250.01
catalog number
320250
accession number
220575
Oil on illustration board. Portrait of four star General James A. Van Fleet.
Description
Oil on illustration board. Portrait of four star General James A. Van Fleet. Army Service Ribbons for Decorations and Medals include: Distinguished Service Cross with two oak leaf clusters, Distinguished Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Silver Star with two oak leaf clusters, Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star with two oak leaf clusters with "V" device, and Purple Heart with two oak leaf clusters. Van Fleet wears the Army Distinguished Unit Badge above his right breast pocket and a Combat Infantry Badge above his service ribbons and his left breast pocket. He wears fatigue clothing (possibly a men's durable press utility uniform, shade olive Green 507) with four silver stars (indicating rank of General) on each side of his collar and the eighth army insignia patch on the shoulder his left arm sleeve. Van Fleet holds a M1 helmet in his right hand (also possibly resting on his leg) that has the eighth army insignia and four silver stars (indicating rank of general) on the font and a unknown insignia on the side (vertical rectangle with red sides and possibly a red "1" on the front). He is in front of a green background. Van Fleet's signature is in the bottom right corner of the portrait.
Location
Currently not on view
associated date
1951 - 1955
associated person
Chase, Joseph Cummings
Chase, Joseph Cummings
artist
Chase, Joseph Cummings
ID Number
AF.58379M
catalog number
58379M
accession number
211728
The Capa Collection in the PHC contains sixty-two images made by Robert Capa, famous for “The Fallen Solider” (not part of the collection).
Description
The Capa Collection in the PHC contains sixty-two images made by Robert Capa, famous for “The Fallen Solider” (not part of the collection). The majority of the collection is wartime photographs of soldiers, civilians and refugee with the main focus on his photographs from WWII, but includes images from China, Israel, and Spain. Highlights of the collection include his breakthrough images of Leon Trotsky and the iconic photographs from the invasion of Normandy. The collection also includes a portrait of Capa by Ruth Orkin (7434). His photographs depict every aspect of war, from the battlefield to the propaganda and graveyards. He shows war heroes being celebrated at parades as well as defeated soldiers surrendering to enemy troops. Through his innovative style of war photography, the reality of combat was made apparent to the world, changing the way that people visualized war.
In 1964 an exhibition of Capa’s photographs called Images of War was hosted by the Smithsonian’s Arts and Industries Museum. The exhibition included a selection of the sixty-eight photographs donated by Robert Capa’s brother, Cornell Capa, and appeared in the exhibit book which was published under the same title.
War photographer Robert Capa was born Endre Friedmann to a Jewish Hungarian family on October 22, 1913. Throughout his teens and early twenties he was heavily involved with local politics and protests. Through his activism he became associated with the Communist Party and was arrested and later expelled, at that time he relocated to Germany. In Berlin, he worked as a darkroom assistant for a photographic agency called Dephot. The director developed an interest in Capa, eventually lending him a Leica 35-mm camera. Capa began covering small events, and adopted a candid, intimate style that would later define him as a photographer. His first important assignment in November of 1932, he covered a speech being given by revolutionary Leon Trotsky in Copenhagen. Forced to smuggle his camera in, Capa positioned himself close to the stage and captured images of the event that embodied the energy of the speaker and audience. The photos were given a full page spread in Berlin’s Der Welt Spiegel.
Not long after, Capa relocated to Paris. In Paris he met and developed friendships with a number of rising photographers such as André Kertéz, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and David Szymin (who later became known as “Chim” Seymour). He also met fellow refugee Gerta Pohorylle. Together they changed their names to Robert Capa and Gerda Taro, in an effort to remove themselves from their identifiably Semitic names and create a more Americanized image of themselves. Beginning in 1936, Capa and Taro traveled to Spain together a number of times to cover the Spanish Civil War. During one of these trips Capa took his most famous and frequently debated Loyalist Militiaman at the Moment of Death, Cerro Muriano, September 5, 1936, commonly known as “The Fallen Soldier.” The image depicts a Spanish militiaman at the exact moment that he is struck by a bullet, caught falling backwards, still midair. Capa and Taro made a number of photographs that received attention in England and the United States. In July of 1937, while Capa was on a trip back to France, Taro was killed in Spain. His book of photographs from the Spanish Civil War, Death in the Making, is dedicated to her.
In 1938 Capa photographed the Japanese invasion of China. During his six months there, he created images that were shown in newspapers and magazines in Europe and the United States. When he returned to Europe, Capa worked on a handful of civilian assignments, as well as a project in Mexico photographing political rallies and protests. With the outbreak of World War II, Capa dedicated his film and energy to photographing allied forces both on the front lines in Europe and in England. He photographed troops in North Africa, Germany, Italy, England, and France.
His most famous photographs from WWII were taken on D-Day during the Allied invasion of Normandy, June 6, 1944. Though he took approximately 150 photographs that morning as troops waded onto Omaha Beach, a darkroom accident in London ruined all but eleven. Ten of those were published in Life magazine with the disclaimer that they were “slightly out of focus,” a phrase that Capa adopted as the title for his autobiography. Despite the poor quality and damage, these images are celebrated as the best from the invasion. After D-Day Capa continued to cover the war, following the allies as they liberated cities and advanced through Europe. His photographs of German soldiers surrendering are powerful and striking images. Throughout his career he focused both on soldiers he was followed as well as the civilians and refugees who were heavily impacted by the war.
After the war Capa gained citizenship to the United States and briefly pursued a career in California. However, in 1947 he returned to Paris and, with friends Cartier-Bresson, Szymin, George Rodger, and William Vandivert, founded the international photographic agency Magnum. Capa split his time between the Paris and New York City offices and swore-off war photography. He photographed refugees in Israel, created travel journals, and in 1954 left for Japan to photograph children. However, Life magazine called him out of Japan to act as an emergency replacement photographer, making images in what was then referred to as French Indochina. On May 25, 1954, while accompanying a convoy of soldiers, Capa stepped on a landmine while trying to make an image of the soldiers and was killed.
After Capa’s death in 1954, his brother Cornell joined Capa’s photo agency, Magnum Photo. In the late 1960s he began mounting exhibitions, and in 1974 founded the International Center for Photography in New York City.
date made
1930 - 1950
maker
Capa, Robert
ID Number
COLL.PHOTOS.000034
Physical DescriptionSilk with images of allied flags and the phrase "THIS BEARER IS U.N. FORCES" in several languages.Specific HistoryThis safe conduct pass was purchased and carried by Corporal George E.
Description
Physical Description
Silk with images of allied flags and the phrase "THIS BEARER IS U.N. FORCES" in several languages.
Specific History
This safe conduct pass was purchased and carried by Corporal George E. Munson, United States Marine Corps.
General History
Pilots and air crews carried small banners, called blood chits, that identified them as members of United Nations forces. In the event they were shot down, the chits offered a reward to anyone who assisted them.
user
1950-1952
user
Munson, Corporal George E.
ID Number
1997.0150.03
accession number
1997.0150
catalog number
1997.0150.03
Oil on illustration board. Portrait of Captain Jack A. Osborne. Osborne wears a olive drab uniform with a infantry pin on his collar and a helmet liner. He has a holster slung across his middle and tucked under his left arm.
Description
Oil on illustration board. Portrait of Captain Jack A. Osborne. Osborne wears a olive drab uniform with a infantry pin on his collar and a helmet liner. He has a holster slung across his middle and tucked under his left arm. Osborne holds a trench knife in his right hand and rests his right elbow on a post. He is in front of a blue background. Osborne's signature is in the bottom left corner. Catalogue card reads: 41st Inf. Division.
Location
Currently not on view
associated date
1951 - 1953
associated person
Chase, Joseph Cummings
Chase, Joseph Cummings
artist
Chase, Joseph Cummings
ID Number
AF.58378M
catalog number
58378M
accession number
211728
This signaling mirror was owned by Waldemar Semenov, whose career as a marine engineer aboard American merchant vessels spanned 54 years. He survived torpedo attacks during World War II, including one that sank the SS Alcoa Guide in 1942.
Description
This signaling mirror was owned by Waldemar Semenov, whose career as a marine engineer aboard American merchant vessels spanned 54 years. He survived torpedo attacks during World War II, including one that sank the SS Alcoa Guide in 1942. Seven Americans lost their lives in the attack.
Signaling mirrors like this were produced in large quantities and issued to military personnel and merchant seamen alike. Small and compact, such mirrors could be used to signal for help over long distances. By aiming the mirror at the sun, the person in distress could signal the reflected flash of light for miles. Numerous improvements were made in the design of the sighting devices and the materials used in the construction of signal mirrors in the 1940s and 1950s. This model was manufactured by the Burton Manufacturing Company, probably in 1955-56.
The following instructions are inscribed on the back of the mirror:
1. Reflect sunlight from mirror onto a nearby surface, raft, hand, etc.
2. Slowly bring mirror up to eye level and look through sighting hole. You will see a bright light spot. This is the aim indicator.
3. Hold mirror close to the eye and slowly turn and so manipulate it that the bright light spot is on the target.
4. Even though no aircraft or ships are in sight, continue sweeping the horizon. Mirror flashes may be seen for many miles, even in hazy weather.
date made
1955-1956
SS Alcoa Guide sank
1942-04-16
maker
Burton Manufacturing Company
ID Number
2005.0295.02
catalog number
2005.0295.02
accession number
2005.0295
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1952
maker
Springfield Armory
ID Number
AF.67998M
catalog number
67998M
accession number
247767
serial number
1315
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
ID Number
AF.69149M
catalog number
69149M
serial number
170
accession number
308845
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
licensee
Garand, John C.
maker
Springfield Armory
ID Number
AF.84468M
catalog number
84468M
accession number
1978.0623
serial number
4289376
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1957
maker
Harrington & Richardson Arms Co.
ID Number
AF.67442M
accession number
243351
catalog number
67442M
serial number
11183
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1953
ID Number
AF.68981M
catalog number
68981M
accession number
260284
serial number
G809
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
maker
Harrington & Richardson Arms Co.
ID Number
AF.84962M
catalog number
84962M
accession number
1978.2410
serial number
16768/17983
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1955
ID Number
AF.72071M
catalog number
72071M
accession number
283570
serial number
S 36088
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
licensee
Garand, John C.
maker
Springfield Armory
ID Number
AF.84454M
catalog number
84454M
accession number
1978.0623
serial number
4234383
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1955
ID Number
AF.65357MB
catalog number
65357MB
accession number
226492
serial number
53
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1955
patentee
Browning, John M.
maker
FN
ID Number
AF.74532M
catalog number
74532M
accession number
292534
serial number
4150
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
maker
Harrington & Richardson Arms Co.
ID Number
AF.66800M
catalog number
66800M
accession number
235947
serial number
4322

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