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: Europe

Road Screens of Slashed Burlap

Black and white photograph taken by the Signal Corps during World War I. Slashed burlap screens stand on both sides of a dirt road. The Signal Corps' emblem is visible in the bottom left-and corner of the image.
Description
Black and white photograph taken by the Signal Corps during World War I. Slashed burlap screens stand on both sides of a dirt road. The Signal Corps' emblem is visible in the bottom left-and corner of the image. The photo is mounted on a board, with the title on the board below the photo.
The Photographic Section of the Signal Corps was established in July 1917. It was responsible for the US Army's official ground and aerial photography of World War I.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1917-1918
ID Number
2013.3101.19
nonaccession number
2013.3101
catalog number
2013.3101.19
maker number
22773

Cavalry Officer's Saber

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
associated date
1861 - 1865
ID Number
AF.40929
catalog number
40929
accession number
146693

Americans Retourner Frenche

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1914 - 1918
ID Number
ZZ.RSN82658W76

Soldat Belge

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1914
associated date
1914 - 1918
ID Number
ZZ.RSN82658W82

Field Telephone

Physical DescriptionModel EE-8-A field telephone, leather case.General HistoryAmerican Electric military field phone, model EE-8-A. The phone is encased in leather. The handset is marked American Electric and there is a magneto crank.Currently not on view (batteries)
Description
Physical Description
Model EE-8-A field telephone, leather case.
General History
American Electric military field phone, model EE-8-A. The phone is encased in leather. The handset is marked American Electric and there is a magneto crank.
Location
Currently not on view (batteries)
manufacturer
American Electric Co., Inc.
ID Number
1985.0335.22
catalog number
1985.0335.22
accession number
1985.0335

Anti-Aircraft

Charcoal and watercolor on paper. The painting depicts four American soldiers aiming a Howitzer toward search lights in a night sky.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal and watercolor on paper. The painting depicts four American soldiers aiming a Howitzer toward search lights in a night sky.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
Circa 1919
1919
ca 1919
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
Stanley-Brown, Rudolph
Stanley-Brown, Katharine
artist
Stanley-Brown, Rudolph
ID Number
AF.59708M
catalog number
59708M
accession number
216896

155 M/M G.P.F.- Passing Through A Village

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
Circa 1918
ca 1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
Stanley-Brown, Rudolph
Stanley-Brown, Katharine
artist
Stanley-Brown, Rudolph
ID Number
AF.59732M
catalog number
59732M
accession number
216896

Women Employed at Camouflage Factory, Dijon, France

Black and white photograph taken by the Signal Corps during World War I. A group of women is standing outside a factory holding a large roll of camouflage material. Soldiers are visible behind some of the women.
Description
Black and white photograph taken by the Signal Corps during World War I. A group of women is standing outside a factory holding a large roll of camouflage material. Soldiers are visible behind some of the women. The photo is mounted on a board, with the title on the board below the photo.
The Photographic Section of the Signal Corps was established in July 1917. It was responsible for the US Army's official ground and aerial photography of World War I.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1917-1918
ID Number
2013.3101.58
nonaccession number
2013.3101
catalog number
2013.3101.58
maker number
10930

A Bois Fleury Devant Crasune

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1915-04-02
associated date
1914 - 1918
ID Number
ZZ.RSN82658W83

Officer's Sword

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1750-1770
unspecified
Hopkins
ID Number
AF.35489
catalog number
35489
accession number
91731

Whippet Tanks Camouflaged in an Orchard

Black and white photograph taken by the Signal Corps during World War I. An American soldier is in the center of the photo, climbing around camouflaged Whippet tanks. Part of the Signal Corps' emblem is visible in the bottom left-hand corner of the image.
Description
Black and white photograph taken by the Signal Corps during World War I. An American soldier is in the center of the photo, climbing around camouflaged Whippet tanks. Part of the Signal Corps' emblem is visible in the bottom left-hand corner of the image. The photo is mounted on a board, with the title on the board below the photo.
The Photographic Section of the Signal Corps was established in July 1917. It was responsible for the US Army's official ground and aerial photography of World War I.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1917-1918
ID Number
2013.3101.04
nonaccession number
2013.3101
catalog number
2013.3101.04

Gathering Marsh Grass for Camouflage in San Mihiel Drive

Black and white photograph taken by the Signal Corps during World War I. A group of soldiers is gathering marsh grass for making camouflage. The Signal Corps' emblem is visible in the bottom left-hand corner of the image.
Description
Black and white photograph taken by the Signal Corps during World War I. A group of soldiers is gathering marsh grass for making camouflage. The Signal Corps' emblem is visible in the bottom left-hand corner of the image. The photo is mounted on a board, with the title on the board below the photo.
The Photographic Section of the Signal Corps was established in July 1917. It was responsible for the US Army's official ground and aerial photography of World War I.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1917-1918
ID Number
2013.3101.67
nonaccession number
2013.3101
catalog number
2013.3101.67
maker number
21401

General Pershing's World War I Victory Medal

World War I Victory Medal awarded to General John J. Pershing, Commander of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF). Bronze medal with a winged figure of Victory holding a sword and shield on the obverse.
Description
World War I Victory Medal awarded to General John J. Pershing, Commander of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF). Bronze medal with a winged figure of Victory holding a sword and shield on the obverse. The medal hangs from a rainbow colored ribbon, with violet on the left and right edges and red at the center. Attached to the ribbon are fourteen battle clasps (from top to bottom): Cambrai; Somme, Defensive; Lys; Aisne; Montdidier-Noyon; Champagne-Marne; Aisne-Marne; Somme, Offensive; Oise-Aisne; Ypres-Lys; St. Mihiel; Meuse-Argonne; Vittorio-Veneto; and Defensive Sector. As Commander of the AEF, Pershing received a battle clasp for every major conflict in which the AEF was involved as well as a clasp for general defense service (Defensive Sector).
Location
Currently not on view
associated date
1914-1918
wearer
Pershing, John J.
ID Number
AF.46879
catalog number
46879
accession number
182935

Soldat Belge

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1914-1919
1914
associated date
1914 - 1918
1914
ID Number
ZZ.RSN82658W73

Doughboy Uniform

Physical DescriptionBrown wool button-down jacket and brown wool breeches.General HistoryEnlisted soldier's uniform.
Description
Physical Description
Brown wool button-down jacket and brown wool breeches.
General History
Enlisted soldier's uniform. The brown, doughy color of the uniform led to these soldiers being referred to as "doughboys," though the exact derivation of the nickname has been debated.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
associated date
1917-1918
ID Number
1977.0082.06
accession number
1977.0082
catalog number
1977.0082.06
81199M

French Halberd

Physical DescriptionForged steel with leather-wrapped wooden handle.General HistoryThe halberd was a versatile pole arm developed as an infantry weapon in the 13th century. It has an ax-like blade and a steel spike mounted on the end of a long shaft.
Description
Physical Description
Forged steel with leather-wrapped wooden handle.
General History
The halberd was a versatile pole arm developed as an infantry weapon in the 13th century. It has an ax-like blade and a steel spike mounted on the end of a long shaft. By the time of the Seven Years War it was carried by sergeants as a symbol of rank and authority.
ID Number
AF.66750M
catalog number
66750M
accession number
229198

Drying Sheds for Bessoneau Covers for Hangars

Black and white photograph taken by the Signal Corps during World War I. A group of women is working on making camouflage covers in front of a drying shed. The drying shed houses camouflage covers for Bessonneau hangars.
Description
Black and white photograph taken by the Signal Corps during World War I. A group of women is working on making camouflage covers in front of a drying shed. The drying shed houses camouflage covers for Bessonneau hangars. The photo is mounted on a board, with the title on the board below the photo.
The Photographic Section of the Signal Corps was established in July 1917. It was responsible for the US Army's official ground and aerial photography of World War I.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1917-1918
ID Number
2013.3101.11
nonaccession number
2013.3101
catalog number
2013.3101.11
maker number
10058

The Ammunition Dump 1919

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1919
Circa 1919
ca 1919
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
Stanley-Brown, Rudolph
Stanley-Brown, Katharine
artist
Stanley-Brown, Rudolph
ID Number
AF.59728M
catalog number
59728M
accession number
216896

One of the Store-Rooms for Finished Camouflage Material

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1914-1918
associated date
1914 - 1918
ID Number
ZZ.RSN82658W90

Painted Burlap Drying at Camouflage Factory at Dijon, France

Black and white photograph taken by the Signal Corps during World War I. Women are standing over unrolled sheets of painted burlap as it lays on the ground to dry. The top left-hand corner of the photo is missing, and the bottom right-hand corner is torn.
Description
Black and white photograph taken by the Signal Corps during World War I. Women are standing over unrolled sheets of painted burlap as it lays on the ground to dry. The top left-hand corner of the photo is missing, and the bottom right-hand corner is torn. The photo is mounted on a board, with the title on the board below the photo.
The Photographic Section of the Signal Corps was established in July 1917. It was responsible for the US Army's official ground and aerial photography of World War I.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1917-1918
ID Number
2013.3101.32
nonaccession number
2013.3101
catalog number
2013.3101.32
maker number
10056

Near to SIllegible Bend

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1914-1919
associated date
1914 - 1918
ID Number
ZZ.RSN82658W75

240 M/M Trench Mortar 1919

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1919
Circa 1919
Circa 1919
ca 1919
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
Stanley-Brown, Rudolph
Stanley-Brown, Katharine
artist
Stanley-Brown, Rudolph
ID Number
AF.59710M
catalog number
59710M
accession number
216896

Tobacco Pipe

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1854
year used
1854 - 1855
ID Number
DL.222250
catalog number
222250
accession number
41356

305 M/M Gun

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
Circa 1918
ca 1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
Stanley-Brown, Rudolph
Stanley-Brown, Katharine
artist
Stanley-Brown, Rudolph
ID Number
AF.59714M
catalog number
59714M
accession number
216896

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