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.

Name: Smith, J. Andre

A Field Hospital on the Road to Château-Thierry

Pencil and watercolor sketch on paper. The work depicts a field hospital near Château-Thierry, France. The field hospital, comprised of a number of white tents, is on the right.
Description
Pencil and watercolor sketch on paper. The work depicts a field hospital near Château-Thierry, France. The field hospital, comprised of a number of white tents, is on the right. An ambulance and several people are in the adjacent road, which runs behind several permanent buildings. Two soldiers are sitting under a tree on the left.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25938
catalog number
25938
accession number
64592

Bridge at Echternach

Mixed media sketch on paper. View of a small bridge in the town of Echternach, Luxembourg during World War I.Currently not on view
Description
Mixed media sketch on paper. View of a small bridge in the town of Echternach, Luxembourg during World War I.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25955
catalog number
25955
accession number
64592

Tents and Barracks at Gievres

Mixed media sketch (charcoal, pastel, and likely watercolor and/or gouache) on paper. In the center of the sketch is a stand of tall trees. Tents and other low structures form a line through the drawing. Several soldiers stand among the crop rows.
Description
Mixed media sketch (charcoal, pastel, and likely watercolor and/or gouache) on paper. In the center of the sketch is a stand of tall trees. Tents and other low structures form a line through the drawing. Several soldiers stand among the crop rows. There appear to be several telephone or telegraph poles in the background, behind the tents. These barracks were located at Gievres, France during World War I.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26067
catalog number
26067
accession number
64592

The Luxembourg Frontier

Charcoal and watercolor sketch on paper. The sketch shows the Moselle river and a riverside village to its right in the distance. The village has a church and a few large buildings.
Description
Charcoal and watercolor sketch on paper. The sketch shows the Moselle river and a riverside village to its right in the distance. The village has a church and a few large buildings. There are people (possibly soldiers) along the river bank and on the road headed into the village. There are mountains on the left side of the river.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-11
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26065
catalog number
26065
accession number
64592

The Trail to Belleau Wood

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-07
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26078
catalog number
26078
accession number
64592

The Rhine, Looking Upstream from Coblenz

Pencil (and possibly watercolor?) sketch on white paper and mounted on thick brown paper. Focal point of sketch is a bridge that crosses the Rhine river in Coblenz. To the right there is a large building and a small park with trees, bushes, and a path along the riverside.
Description
Pencil (and possibly watercolor?) sketch on white paper and mounted on thick brown paper. Focal point of sketch is a bridge that crosses the Rhine river in Coblenz. To the right there is a large building and a small park with trees, bushes, and a path along the riverside. To the left, on the other side of the river, there is a town, complete with a church steeple and houses. There are rolling hills behind the town.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26038
catalog number
26038
accession number
64592

Constructing the Great Wharves at Montoir

Mixed media drawing on paper. A field bordered by long, low barracks. Soldiers at work and a stack of supplies occupy the field.Currently not on view
Description
Mixed media drawing on paper. A field bordered by long, low barracks. Soldiers at work and a stack of supplies occupy the field.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-06
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25971
catalog number
25971
accession number
64592

Troops Advancing into Action Beyond Seicheprey

Colored sketch on white paper, mounted on thick paper. American soldiers march in a line off into the distance, while horses and wagons follow on a road parallel to them. Each roads are headed towards the direction of battle.
Description
Colored sketch on white paper, mounted on thick paper. American soldiers march in a line off into the distance, while horses and wagons follow on a road parallel to them. Each roads are headed towards the direction of battle. There is a mountain range in the background on the left, and fields in the distance to the right. There are trenches in the foreground.
Charcoal and watercolor sketch on paper.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
1918-10-13
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26068
catalog number
26068
accession number
64592

Crossing the Rhine at Coblenz

A pencil and watercolor sketch on paper of the first American soldiers to cross the Rhine river at Coblenz, Germany (now known as Koblenz) after the Armistice of World War I. A pontoon bridge provides a crossing over the Rhine River.
Description
A pencil and watercolor sketch on paper of the first American soldiers to cross the Rhine river at Coblenz, Germany (now known as Koblenz) after the Armistice of World War I. A pontoon bridge provides a crossing over the Rhine River. On the left of the bridge is a column of soldiers; a few vehicles are on the right.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-12-13
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25968
catalog number
25968
accession number
64592

A Street in Baccarat

A charcoal and watercolor sketch on paper of Baccarat, France during World War I. Shell-damaged buildings make up this street scene.Currently not on view
Description
A charcoal and watercolor sketch on paper of Baccarat, France during World War I. Shell-damaged buildings make up this street scene.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-04
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25945
catalog number
25945
accession number
64592

Regimental Headquarters Near Belleau Woods

Pencil sketch on white paper, mounted on thick paper. An American soldier sits in a chair behind a desk in a dark building. Maps and other papers are strewn out on the desk.
Description
Pencil sketch on white paper, mounted on thick paper. An American soldier sits in a chair behind a desk in a dark building. Maps and other papers are strewn out on the desk. There is a grandfather clock and another table on the right side, and a window on the left.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-06-28
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Smith, J. Andre
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26045
catalog number
26045
accession number
64592

In the Village of Andilly

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-06
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Smith, J. Andre
maker
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26006
catalog number
26006
accession number
64592

A Street in Lucy-le-Bocage

Charcoal and watercolor sketch on paper. The work depicts damaged buildings on a street in the village of Lucy-le-Bocage, France during World War I. Several men and carts are at the far end of the road.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal and watercolor sketch on paper. The work depicts damaged buildings on a street in the village of Lucy-le-Bocage, France during World War I. Several men and carts are at the far end of the road.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-08-04
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25922
catalog number
25922
accession number
64592

A "Dump" at Dun-sur-Meuse

A charcoal, pencil, and watercolor sketch on light gray paper mounted on a brown card frame of a "dump" at Dun-sur-Meuse. The scene is of an area in the village where supplies are stored.
Description
A charcoal, pencil, and watercolor sketch on light gray paper mounted on a brown card frame of a "dump" at Dun-sur-Meuse. The scene is of an area in the village where supplies are stored. Boxes are piled on the left foreground of the scene in front of a covered camp wagon with several men helping to offload. A building on the left has half of its roof destroyed. On the right, a building stands intact. In front of the building, a motorcar is parked, and several men walk with several horses in front of them. An obscure building can be seen on the top of the hill in the background. The sketch is not well detailed, but it is colored in full. White, brown, red are used for the buildings. The sky is colored blue-green. The hill and the building in the background is shaded with charcoal.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Smith, J. Andre
maker
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25925
catalog number
25925
accession number
64592

Band Concert at Neufchateau

Charcoal and watercolor sketch on paper. A large group of people, many of whom are soldiers, are gathered around a statue of Joan of Arc in the town of Neufchateau, France.
Description
Charcoal and watercolor sketch on paper. A large group of people, many of whom are soldiers, are gathered around a statue of Joan of Arc in the town of Neufchateau, France. The two people closest to the viewer appear to be an American soldier (in brown) and a French soldier (in blue). The band mentioned in the title of the work is obscured by the crowd.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25956
catalog number
25956
accession number
64592

Street Corner at Essey

Charcoal sketch on white paper. This work portrays an intersection in the village of Essey, France during World War I. American soldiers and wagons pulled by horses fill the street.
Description
Charcoal sketch on white paper. This work portrays an intersection in the village of Essey, France during World War I. American soldiers and wagons pulled by horses fill the street. In the background, there is a destroyed building whose roof and walls are damaged.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-09
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26054
catalog number
26054
accession number
64592

A Forced Landing

Pencil and crayon sketch on paper. The work depicts an airplane which has crashed on a sand beach while making a forced landing during World War I. The airplane is virtually upright, resting on its engine housing and wings with its tail sticking into the air.
Description
Pencil and crayon sketch on paper. The work depicts an airplane which has crashed on a sand beach while making a forced landing during World War I. The airplane is virtually upright, resting on its engine housing and wings with its tail sticking into the air. Three people are gathered to the immediate right of the airplane with a fourth person running toward them.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25928
catalog number
25928
accession number
64592

In the Shelter of the Church, Beaumont

Pencil sketch on white paper, mounted on thick paper. Sketch shows the remains of a destroyed church. While most of the church is gone, large amounts of it are still standing. American and French soldiers stand around the structure.
Description
Pencil sketch on white paper, mounted on thick paper. Sketch shows the remains of a destroyed church. While most of the church is gone, large amounts of it are still standing. American and French soldiers stand around the structure. There is a horse and another building to the right of the church, which is in similarly bad shape. There is a tree and more remains of buildings to the left of the church.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-10
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Smith, J. Andre
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26002
catalog number
26002
accession number
64592

Gateway to the Front, Rambucourt

A charcoal sketch on white card of a gateway to the front at Rambucourt, France. The scene is sketched from inside a shelter (possibly a barn). Several soldiers are seen on the right side sitting at tables.
Description
A charcoal sketch on white card of a gateway to the front at Rambucourt, France. The scene is sketched from inside a shelter (possibly a barn). Several soldiers are seen on the right side sitting at tables. Two soldiers are sitting down in the center foreground with two soldiers in the background and another one in the left. A winding trench is seen in the center part of the sketch with a wooden plank over the trench serving as a bridge. Buildings can be seen in the background including a wall of a building on the left with an open doorway. The roof of the shelter along with a wired fence on the top with leaves and/or branches coving it.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Smith, J. Andre
maker
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25993
catalog number
25993
accession number
64592

German Shelters on the Slope of Hill 204

A pencil sketch on paper of German dugouts on the slope of Hill 204 located near Chateau-Thierry, France. This hill was the scene of fighting between Allied (French and American) and German soldiers during July of 1918. The Allies prevailed.
Description
A pencil sketch on paper of German dugouts on the slope of Hill 204 located near Chateau-Thierry, France. This hill was the scene of fighting between Allied (French and American) and German soldiers during July of 1918. The Allies prevailed. The scene is in a forest where the Germans took shelter in dugouts on the slope of the hill. Abandoned supplies litter the ground around the dugouts; these include Stielhandgranates (stick grenades). American soldiers stand on the top part of the sketch in a clearing.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-08
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25988
catalog number
25988
accession number
64592

"Sausage" in Transit

Watercolor and charcoal sketch on paper. Sketch shows a large French observation balloon passing over a French village during the St. Mihiel Offensive in World War I.
Description
Watercolor and charcoal sketch on paper. Sketch shows a large French observation balloon passing over a French village during the St. Mihiel Offensive in World War I. Onlookers and French soldiers stand in the streets among the maze of houses in the small village."Sausage" was the nickname given by British soldiers to observation balloons of this shape.
The roundel of red, white, and blue on the side of the balloon indicates that it is a French aircraft. This type of aircraft identification was used during the war to avoid firing on allies.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Smith, J. Andre
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26049
catalog number
26049
accession number
64592

Verdun, from the River

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-11
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26085
catalog number
26085
accession number
64592

"Lame Ducks," Issoudun

Pencil sketch on paper. The sketch depicts part of an airfield in Issoudun, France. There are disassembled planes in the foreground and several more aircraft in a large hangar. Aviators and mechanics walk around the air field. The Third Aviation Instruction Center, the U.S.
Description
Pencil sketch on paper. The sketch depicts part of an airfield in Issoudun, France. There are disassembled planes in the foreground and several more aircraft in a large hangar. Aviators and mechanics walk around the air field. The Third Aviation Instruction Center, the U.S. Air Service's largest training base in Europe during World War I, was located at Issoudun.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26009
catalog number
26009
accession number
64592

A Cell in the Monastery at Rangeval

Charcoal and watercolor color sketch on paper. This interior scene shows a room in a monastery in Rangeval, France. The cell holds many beds, two of which are occupied by American soldiers who are reading. Hanging clothes line the cracked plaster walls.
Description
Charcoal and watercolor color sketch on paper. This interior scene shows a room in a monastery in Rangeval, France. The cell holds many beds, two of which are occupied by American soldiers who are reading. Hanging clothes line the cracked plaster walls. Some sort of American flag is above one of the bunks.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-05
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25909
catalog number
25909
accession number
64592

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