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.

Place: France

Chateau Thierry and the Valley

Pencil sketch (with other media) of the Valley of the Marne. Hills and Chateau Thierry in the background. Shell torn trees and building in foreground.Currently not on view
Description
Pencil sketch (with other media) of the Valley of the Marne. Hills and Chateau Thierry in the background. Shell torn trees and building in foreground.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-08
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
maker
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25818
catalog number
25818
accession number
64592

Morning on the Marne

A charcoal, pastel, and watercolor drawing of American soldiers in the early morning on the Marne in France. Five American soldiers wearing olive drab uniforms and helmets can be seen walking along a dirt road lined with barbed wire.
Description
A charcoal, pastel, and watercolor drawing of American soldiers in the early morning on the Marne in France. Five American soldiers wearing olive drab uniforms and helmets can be seen walking along a dirt road lined with barbed wire. The soldiers are carrying rifles that are covered at the muzzle. Fields of yellow grass surround the soldiers. To the left of the soldiers, beyond the barbed wire, two soldiers are hazily seen in an encampment. Above the encampment, a biplane is flying with a white and blue stripe on the plane's rudder. The drawing is diffused with the yellow morning light. Signed by the artist at bottom right, "Harvey Dunn, AEF"
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
Dunn, Harvey Thomas
maker
Dunn, Harvey Thomas
ID Number
AF.25710
catalog number
25710
accession number
64592

Untitled

Pencil with ink wash sketch on paper of a landscape of a town along the banks of a river. At center on the far bank is a large building, possibly a cathedral or castle, which has apparently been damaged by shell fire.
Description
Pencil with ink wash sketch on paper of a landscape of a town along the banks of a river. At center on the far bank is a large building, possibly a cathedral or castle, which has apparently been damaged by shell fire. To the right of this along the river are several other tall buildings, some with spires and towers. Below the town is a river wall and below that is a set of stairs leading to a walking path along the river. Indistinct figures can be seen along the river's edge. Signed at bottom left by the artist, "Peixotto, 1918".
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated person
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25865
catalog number
25865
accession number
64592

San Mihiel Drive

Lithographic crayon sketch. A large tree dominates this scene. Troops are advancing down a road from the left foreground to the right background. A shell-torn building is in the left background; wagon, men, and horses are in its yard. Ruined clock tower on far left.
Description
Lithographic crayon sketch. A large tree dominates this scene. Troops are advancing down a road from the left foreground to the right background. A shell-torn building is in the left background; wagon, men, and horses are in its yard. Ruined clock tower on far left. A soldier mounted on a horse is in roughly the center of the scene. Beige textured wove paper. On the bottom edge of the mount is an inscription that reads: "Troops leisurely advancing in St. Mihiel drive by/the ruins of Sichprey [sic], Sept. 13/18."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-09-13
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
maker
Duncan, Walter Jack
ID Number
AF.25704C
catalog number
25704C
accession number
64592

Flying Field at Issoudun

A pencil and watercolor sketch on paper of Field Number One at Issoudun, France. The busy airfield depicted here was part of a large training complex for the U.S. Air Service during World War I.Currently not on view
Description
A pencil and watercolor sketch on paper of Field Number One at Issoudun, France. The busy airfield depicted here was part of a large training complex for the U.S. Air Service during World War I.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-08
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25984
catalog number
25984
accession number
64592

Drawstring bag

Small drawstring knitting bag with two blue birds facing each other who appear to be holding a small cross in their beaks. Blue checkerboard border above and below the birds. Made by French peasant women in French Lorraine during World War I.
Description
Small drawstring knitting bag with two blue birds facing each other who appear to be holding a small cross in their beaks. Blue checkerboard border above and below the birds. Made by French peasant women in French Lorraine during World War I. Sold in America through the Society for Employment of Women in France.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1914-1918
ID Number
2011.0086.13
catalog number
2011.0086.13
accession number
2011.0086

Entrance to the Old Chateau, Granpre

Charcoal sketch on heavy white card stock. The work depicts a chateau in the area of Grandpré, France. The entrance is a large archway surmounted by a hipped roof with dormers.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal sketch on heavy white card stock. The work depicts a chateau in the area of Grandpré, France. The entrance is a large archway surmounted by a hipped roof with dormers.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25825
catalog number
25825
accession number
64592
223708

Soldier leaning against Wrangler

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1945
ID Number
2016.0143.06
catalog number
2016.0143.06
accession number
2016.0143

Fox Conner

Oil on illustration board. Portrait of one star General Fox Conner. Conner wears a Sam Browne belt and a unknown collar disk. He possibly has a black pen in his left breast pocket.Currently not on view
Description
Oil on illustration board. Portrait of one star General Fox Conner. Conner wears a Sam Browne belt and a unknown collar disk. He possibly has a black pen in his left breast pocket.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
Chase, Joseph Cummings
Chase, Joseph Cummings
artist
Chase, Joseph Cummings
ID Number
AF.58087M
catalog number
58087M
accession number
203612

Street in Neufchâteau

Charcoal, wash, and gouache drawing on card. The work depicts a street scene in Neufchâteau, France. A woman carrying a basket walks down in the road, facing the viewer. A church's tower dominates the background.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal, wash, and gouache drawing on card. The work depicts a street scene in Neufchâteau, France. A woman carrying a basket walks down in the road, facing the viewer. A church's tower dominates the background.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Aylward, William James
ID Number
AF.25669
catalog number
25669
accession number
64592

American Graves at Menil-la-Tour

Pencil and watercolor sketch on beige paper. The work depicts a cemetery with American graves at Ménil-la-Tour, France during World War I. There are several rows of graves, each marked with a cross.
Description
Pencil and watercolor sketch on beige paper. The work depicts a cemetery with American graves at Ménil-la-Tour, France during World War I. There are several rows of graves, each marked with a cross. The graves have small mounds of earth in front of them and wreaths and American flags are sketched on most of the mounds. A barbed wire fence borders the cemetery in the left of the drawing.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-06
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25914
catalog number
25914
accession number
64592

A Forced Landing Near Neufchâteau

Charcoal on white paper. This sketch depicts an aviator and pilot standing on an overturned Breguet reconnaissance plane, probably a Breguet 14. The two men are reading a map. The plane's underside has camouflage and what appear to be French roundels on its wings.
Description
Charcoal on white paper. This sketch depicts an aviator and pilot standing on an overturned Breguet reconnaissance plane, probably a Breguet 14. The two men are reading a map. The plane's underside has camouflage and what appear to be French roundels on its wings. There is a line of trees in the background at left and a village in the background at right.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Townsend, Harry
artist
Townsend, Harry
ID Number
AF.26097
catalog number
26097
accession number
64592

After the Battle of Charteves

Charcoal and ink wash sketch on white paper. The work depicts a damaged village in the aftermath of the Battle of Charteves. A shell-torn church and a number of smaller shell-torn buildings make up the village.
Description
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on white paper. The work depicts a damaged village in the aftermath of the Battle of Charteves. A shell-torn church and a number of smaller shell-torn buildings make up the village. A man, possibly a soldier, is in the street in the right foreground.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-07
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25800
catalog number
25800
accession number
64592

Tea napkin with French Third Republic emblem

WWI French stitchery: tea napkin with French Third Republic emblem motif (black and blue "RF" embroidered on red shield at top; 4 masted French flags below; green and white croix de guerre [war cross] at bottom with gold center). Green embroidery around edges.
Description
WWI French stitchery: tea napkin with French Third Republic emblem motif (black and blue "RF" embroidered on red shield at top; 4 masted French flags below; green and white croix de guerre [war cross] at bottom with gold center). Green embroidery around edges. Pictured at bottom center of photo (unfolded napkin). Made by French peasant women in French Lorraine. Sold in America through the Society for Employment of Women in France.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1914-1918
ID Number
2011.0086.08
catalog number
2011.0086.08
accession number
2011.0086

On the Edge of Belleau Wood

Charcoal and ink wash sketch on paper. The sketch depicts the edge of a wooded area, with timber fortifications in the center of the scene. Hills and small houses in the background.
Description
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on paper. The sketch depicts the edge of a wooded area, with timber fortifications in the center of the scene. Hills and small houses in the background. Belleau Wood was the scene of intense fighting between Allied soldiers and the German Army towards the end of the First World War.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-08
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26028
catalog number
26028
accession number
64592

The Railhead Dump at Ménil-la-Tour

A charcoal and watercolor sketch on brown paper mounted on a white matte paper sealed in the front with a glass sheet and backed by a plastic sheet wrapped in plastic wrap. The scene is of a railhead dump at Menil-la-Tour.
Description
A charcoal and watercolor sketch on brown paper mounted on a white matte paper sealed in the front with a glass sheet and backed by a plastic sheet wrapped in plastic wrap. The scene is of a railhead dump at Menil-la-Tour. Approximately nine men wearing blue, possibly French, are seen in the sketch all over the picture. Seven men are working around a tall pile of baled hay seen in the center of the sketch. Another two men are working on the right side, dragging a sheet. Several tall covered piles are seen besides the hay pile. Two flat cars are seen on the rails. Trash is seen in on the right side behind a lone tree. Behind the trash is a building.
The sketch is mostly colored, but it is not entirely sketched. The sky is colored blue. The tree and the grass are painted green. Other colors include light blue, red, and brown/pink for the ground.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-06
maker
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26058
catalog number
26058
accession number
64592

French Lessons

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-08-18
maker
Signal Corps' Army Pictorial Service and Army Communications Service
ID Number
2013.0327.0657
catalog number
2013.0327.0657
accession number
2013.0327

Between Shells, Chateau Thierry

Charcoal and crayon drawing on paper of American soldiers rushing out of a shell-torn building during a pause in shelling. Two soldiers have left the building and are running across the building to the left.
Description
Charcoal and crayon drawing on paper of American soldiers rushing out of a shell-torn building during a pause in shelling. Two soldiers have left the building and are running across the building to the left. Two soldiers are visible in the doorway on their way out of the building, with outlines of more soldiers visible behind. All soldiers are in uniform with helmets and rifles with fixed bayonets. The building is white with several large holes in the walls and windows. Green shutters hang askew from the windows and a green door has been taken off its hinges. The doorway is surrounded by elaborate green trim. A black railing in front of the building is bent from damage. Signed by the artist at bottom right, "George Harding, Chateau Thierry"
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
Harding, George Matthews
War Department
artist
Harding, George Matthews
ID Number
AF.25737
catalog number
25737
accession number
64592

American Soldiers Washing Up

Charcoal and ink wash sketch on blue-gray paper. The sketch is a view of the river and the steps leading down to it as seen between two buildings. Several dwellings in the background. Soldier mounting steps and two soldiers at the water.
Description
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on blue-gray paper. The sketch is a view of the river and the steps leading down to it as seen between two buildings. Several dwellings in the background. Soldier mounting steps and two soldiers at the water. The sketch is mounted to a larger piece of heavy white cardboard. A label affixed to this cardboard mount reads: "11./AMERICAN SOLDIERS WASHING UP IN THE DOLLER RIVER IN AN TOWN IN GERMAN/ALSACE. (Massevaux)./Peixotto."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25804
catalog number
25804
accession number
64592

The Market Place, Fere-En-Tardenois

Pencil, charcoal, and ink wash sketch on white paper. The sketch shows damaged buildings on the central square of Fère-en-Tardenois, France during World War I. The square is empty except for a truck, a group of soldiers carrying rifles, and a few people closer to the buildings.
Description
Pencil, charcoal, and ink wash sketch on white paper. The sketch shows damaged buildings on the central square of Fère-en-Tardenois, France during World War I. The square is empty except for a truck, a group of soldiers carrying rifles, and a few people closer to the buildings. The buildings are pock-marked with shell damage, and many of the roofs are so damaged that the rafters are showing.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-08
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25880
catalog number
25880
accession number
64592

Inside the Church at Badonviller

A charcoal, pastel, and watercolor sketch on paper of American troops at a church at Badonviller, France. The church is most likely the Eglise Saint-Martin. Five American soldiers are standing in what used to be the interior of the church.
Description
A charcoal, pastel, and watercolor sketch on paper of American troops at a church at Badonviller, France. The church is most likely the Eglise Saint-Martin. Five American soldiers are standing in what used to be the interior of the church. The church has been damaged; battered wrought iron and other debris are lying exposed in the former aisle of the church. An inscription on the drawing reads "The church at Badonviller is situated on a rise of ground and on that edge of the village that is nearest the German lines. It has suffered from bombardment perhaps more than any other structure in the village. This drawing was made from the chancel and looking along the line of the main aisle and through the archway to the front entrance. The building is hopelessly beyond repair."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25950
catalog number
25950
accession number
64592

View of Buzancy

Mixed media sketch on paper. Scene of the village of Buzancy in Aisne, northern France. Captain J. Andre Smith depicts small structures in the foreground that sustained damage during World War I.
Description
Mixed media sketch on paper. Scene of the village of Buzancy in Aisne, northern France. Captain J. Andre Smith depicts small structures in the foreground that sustained damage during World War I. The perspective of the artwork is from the East, showing the apse and steeple of the village church in the background.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26086
catalog number
26086
accession number
64592

Cocktail napkin with Russian Empire flag

Cocktail napkin with Russian Empire flag motif (white, blue, and red tricolor; yellow and black embroidery in the white stripe). Green embroidery around edges. Made by French peasant women in French Lorraine during World War I.
Description
Cocktail napkin with Russian Empire flag motif (white, blue, and red tricolor; yellow and black embroidery in the white stripe). Green embroidery around edges. Made by French peasant women in French Lorraine during World War I. Sold in America through the Society for Employment of Women in France.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1914-1918
ID Number
2011.0086.03
catalog number
2011.0086.03
accession number
2011.0086

The Church at Fossoy. (On the German Line of Retreat)

Graphite and gouache on paper mounted on heavy white card. The drawing shows a badly damaged church at Fossoy, France. There is a bare tree on the left.Currently not on view
Description
Graphite and gouache on paper mounted on heavy white card. The drawing shows a badly damaged church at Fossoy, France. There is a bare tree on the left.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-07-26
associated person
War Department
artist
Aylward, William James
ID Number
AF.25671
catalog number
25671
accession number
64592

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