Military

Frank Brownell's Medal of Honor

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.

Date: 1950s

FN FAL (Fusil Automatique Léger) ANC 1964 Automatic Rifle

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1953
maker
Fabrique Nationale D'Armes De Guerre
FN
ID Number
AF.74841M
catalog number
74841M
accession number
294007
serial number
212

H&R Inc. T48 Automatic Rifle

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

Safe Conduct Pass

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

Ingram Police Ordnance Company M6 Submachinegun

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

Navy

Collegiate pennant representing the United States Naval Academy. The pennant is made of blue felt and has the Naval Academy's crest on one end (yellow) and the text "Navy" on the other (yellow).
Description (Brief)
Collegiate pennant representing the United States Naval Academy. The pennant is made of blue felt and has the Naval Academy's crest on one end (yellow) and the text "Navy" on the other (yellow). On the tip of the pennat is a pinback button that is blue and yellow with the text "Navy," a blue ribbon (faded), a gold ribbon (faded) and a plastic goat charm, representing the Navy mascot, Bill the Goat. The Naval Academy was founded in 1845 and has the motto "Ex Scientia Tridens," which means: From Knowledge, Sea Power which appears on the school's crest. Navy has a long athletic tradition with their most famous athlete being Heisman Trophy winner, Roger Staubach.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950s
associated institution
United States Naval Academy
ID Number
1979.1162.178
accession number
1979.1162
catalog number
1979.1162.178

Evening Dress Skirt

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

James A. Van Fleet

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

H&R Inc. T48 Automatic Rifle

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

Combat Boots

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

Ithaca Gun Co. Sub-Mach. Gun Model 3A1 Submachinegun

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
ID Number
AF.75914M
catalog number
75914M
accession number
298714
serial number
741235

Springfield Armory M1 Garand Rifle

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

H&R Inc. T48 Automatic Rifle

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

Chung IL-Kwon

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

Springfield Armory U.S. T44 E6 Rifle Cal. .30

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

Chinese Type 50 Submachinegun

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1952
ID Number
AF.67532M
serial number
22950
catalog number
67532M
accession number
243898
serial number
2950

Signaling Mirror

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

Springfield Armory U.S. Rifle T44E4

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

Cap, Overseas

associated date
1941 - 1955
user
Gable, Clark
ID Number
AF.79705M
catalog number
79705M
accession number
321728

IAS Computer

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

Mosch. Autom. Beretta Model 4 1949/1952 Submachinegun

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 9152
associated date
1952
maker
Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta
ID Number
AF.69618M
catalog number
69618M
accession number
270452
serial number
AS7393

Harrington & Richardson Model 65-H&R Reising Semiautomatic Rimfire Rifle

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

FN FAL (Fusil Automatique Léger) Automatic Rifle

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

Compromise Settlement

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

Harrington and Richardson Arms M4 Bolt Action Survival Rifle (Hornet Cartridge)

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

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