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.

Topic: Flags

Designating Flag, Headquarters, 2nd Army Corps

Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Blue field with a large white trefoil (shamrock) in the center of the flag. Inside the trefoil is a red number "2" done in paint or appliqued (cannot tell from the photo). White hoist with no grommets.
Description
Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Blue field with a large white trefoil (shamrock) in the center of the flag. Inside the trefoil is a red number "2" done in paint or appliqued (cannot tell from the photo). White hoist with no grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "2nd Army Corps Head Quarters".
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25233A
catalog number
25233A
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, Artillery Brigade, 3rd Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. Red field with a white diamond in the center of the flag. White cotton hoist with no grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "Arty Brg 3rd Army Corps".Currently not on view
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. Red field with a white diamond in the center of the flag. White cotton hoist with no grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "Arty Brg 3rd Army Corps".
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25234B
catalog number
25234B
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 4th Brigade, 2nd Division, 5th Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with red corners. The edges of the corner triangles that face the center of the flag are convex. There is a white Maltese cross in the center of the flag. White hoist with no grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "4th Brg.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with red corners. The edges of the corner triangles that face the center of the flag are convex. There is a white Maltese cross in the center of the flag. White hoist with no grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "4th Brg. 2nd Div'n 5 Army Corps".
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25236P
catalog number
25236P
accession number
64127

Admiral Dewey Banner

Physical DescriptionBlue, white, and red banner with an image of Admiral Dewey in center of white stripe, surrounded by laurels. “Admiral Dewey” in banner among the laurels, American flag, and a navy fleet admiral’s flag. “The Hero” in top blue stripe.
Description
Physical Description
Blue, white, and red banner with an image of Admiral Dewey in center of white stripe, surrounded by laurels. “Admiral Dewey” in banner among the laurels, American flag, and a navy fleet admiral’s flag. “The Hero” in top blue stripe. “Of Manila” in bottom red stripe.
General History
Admiral George Dewey commanded the U.S. Navy’s Asiatic Squadron based in Hong Kong in 1898 when the United States declared war on Spain. Ordered to sail to Manila and capture or destroy the Spanish fleet there, he engaged the Spanish in Manila Bay on the morning of May 1 and completely destroyed it by noon, without a single loss of American life. The Battle of Manila Bay was one of two major American naval victories in the Spanish-American War. The complete rout ended any threat from the Spanish naval forces. All major Spanish ships were destroyed or captured, without any significant damage to American forces. The battle is perhaps best known as the occasion when Dewey uttered one of the most famous statements in American naval history: “You may fire when you are ready, Gridley.” Captain Charles Gridley was the commander of the USS Olympia.
depicted
Dewey, George
ID Number
AF.58669-N
accession number
232332
catalog number
58669-N

Designating Flag, 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 12th Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a blue border on the hoist edge. In the center of the flag is a red five-point star. White hoist with no grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "2nd Brg. 1st Div. 12th Army Corps".Currently not on view
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a blue border on the hoist edge. In the center of the flag is a red five-point star. White hoist with no grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "2nd Brg. 1st Div. 12th Army Corps".
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25243F
catalog number
25243F
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 16th Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with a white circular cross in the center of the flag. The cross resembles a Maltese cross whose outer edges are round, forming a circle. White hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "2nd Div 1st Brg 16 Army Corps R. C.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with a white circular cross in the center of the flag. The cross resembles a Maltese cross whose outer edges are round, forming a circle. White hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "2nd Div 1st Brg 16 Army Corps R. C. Toy 49 N. 9th Phila."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25246J
catalog number
25246J
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, Artillery Brigade, 9th Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. Red field with a white shield in the center of the flag. Inside the shield is a blue anchor surmounted by a red cannon. The anchor and cannon are diagonally crossed.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. Red field with a white shield in the center of the flag. Inside the shield is a blue anchor surmounted by a red cannon. The anchor and cannon are diagonally crossed. White hoist with an inscription reading "[illegible] Brg Div 9th Army Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25239F
catalog number
25239F
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 3rd Division, 7th Army Corps

Wool bunting rectangular flag. White field. In the center of the flag is a blue inverted crescent with a blue five-point star. White hoist with an inscription that reads "3rd Div 7th Army Corps."Currently not on view
Description
Wool bunting rectangular flag. White field. In the center of the flag is a blue inverted crescent with a blue five-point star. White hoist with an inscription that reads "3rd Div 7th Army Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25237N
catalog number
25237N
accession number
64127

Profile Portrait of U.S. Soldier

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
2013-04 through 2013-06
maker
Drew, Ed
ID Number
2017.0220.0007
accession number
2017.0220
catalog number
2017.0220.0007

Designating Flag, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 6th Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with red border on all three sides. In the center of the flag is a blue St. Andrew's cross. White cotton hoist. Machine stitching. The inscription on the hoist reads "3rd Brg. 3rd Div. 6 Army Corps."Currently not on view
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with red border on all three sides. In the center of the flag is a blue St. Andrew's cross. White cotton hoist. Machine stitching. The inscription on the hoist reads "3rd Brg. 3rd Div. 6 Army Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25228Q
catalog number
25228Q
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 4th Brigade, 3rd Division, 3rd Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with blue diamond in center of flag. Each corner forms a red triangle; the edge of the triangle facing the diamond is convex. Unbleached canvas hoist. Machine stitching. Flag panels have flat-felled seams.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with blue diamond in center of flag. Each corner forms a red triangle; the edge of the triangle facing the diamond is convex. Unbleached canvas hoist. Machine stitching. Flag panels have flat-felled seams. Cotton threads of white, red, and blue. The inscription on the hoist reads "4th Brg 3rd Div. 3rd Army Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25234Q
catalog number
25234Q
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 3rd Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with red diamond in center of flag. Blue border on hoist edge of flag. White cotton hoist. Machine stitching; flat-felled seams. The inscription on the hoist reads "2nd Brg 1st Div. 3rd Army Corps."Currently not on view
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with red diamond in center of flag. Blue border on hoist edge of flag. White cotton hoist. Machine stitching; flat-felled seams. The inscription on the hoist reads "2nd Brg 1st Div. 3rd Army Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25234E
catalog number
25234E
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 4th Division, 9th Army Corps

Rectangular wool bunting flag. White field with pigment painted design in center of flag. The design is a large green shield with a white anchor surmounted by a red cannon. The anchor and cannon have black paint detailing on them. The anchor and cannon are crossed diagonally.
Description
Rectangular wool bunting flag. White field with pigment painted design in center of flag. The design is a large green shield with a white anchor surmounted by a red cannon. The anchor and cannon have black paint detailing on them. The anchor and cannon are crossed diagonally. There are two small square reinforcement layers at the upper and lower hoist corners. The flag is made of four panels joined with flat-felled seams. Machine stitching with some hand-stitched repairs. White cotton hoist with a metal grommet at each end. The hoist has an inscription that reads "9TH ARMY/CORPS 4TH DIVISION."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25270Q
catalog number
25270Q
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, Chief Quartermaster, 8th Army Corps

Wool bunting tapered swallowtail flag. Red field with two diagonally crossed stripes. Each stripe runs from one end of the hoist to the opposite end of the fly; the stripes cross at the fork in the swallowtail.
Description
Wool bunting tapered swallowtail flag. Red field with two diagonally crossed stripes. Each stripe runs from one end of the hoist to the opposite end of the fly; the stripes cross at the fork in the swallowtail. Painted in the center of the flag, to the left of the cross in the stripes, is a white number "8". White hoist with no grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "Ch'f Q. M. 8 Army Corps".
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25238C
catalog number
25238C
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 16th Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with a red border at the hoist edge. In the center of the flag is a white circular cross. The cross resembles a Maltese cross whose outer edges are curved, forming a circle. White hoist with no grommets.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with a red border at the hoist edge. In the center of the flag is a white circular cross. The cross resembles a Maltese cross whose outer edges are curved, forming a circle. White hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "2nd Div 2nd Brg 16 Army Corps R C Toy 49 N. 9th Phila."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25246K
catalog number
25246K
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 2nd Division, 3rd Army Corps

Rectangular wool bunting flag. Blue field with a white diamond in the center of the flag. Machine-stitching; panels have flat-felled seams. Cotton threads in white, blue, cream. The inscription on the hoist reads "2nd Div 3rd Army Corps."Currently not on view
Description
Rectangular wool bunting flag. Blue field with a white diamond in the center of the flag. Machine-stitching; panels have flat-felled seams. Cotton threads in white, blue, cream. The inscription on the hoist reads "2nd Div 3rd Army Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25234H
catalog number
25234H
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac

Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a blue cotton applique of two crossed swords in the center of the flag. White cotton hoist with no grommets. Machine stitching; flat-felled panel seams. The inscription on the hoist reads "1st Brg 3rd Div. Cavalry.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a blue cotton applique of two crossed swords in the center of the flag. White cotton hoist with no grommets. Machine stitching; flat-felled panel seams. The inscription on the hoist reads "1st Brg 3rd Div. Cavalry. Corps Army of Potomac."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25229P
catalog number
25229P
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 14th Army Corps, Department of the Cumberland

Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Blue field with a white star near the hoist. Red union, on upper hoist hoist, with three crossed white stripes. Two of the stripes form a saltire; a third stripe of equal width, called a pale, vertically bisects the saltire. White hoist.
Description
Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Blue field with a white star near the hoist. Red union, on upper hoist hoist, with three crossed white stripes. Two of the stripes form a saltire; a third stripe of equal width, called a pale, vertically bisects the saltire. White hoist. Machine stitching; flat-felled seams. Inscription on the hoist reads "1st Brg. 3rd Div. 14th Army Corps Dept. of / Cumberland."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25244K
catalog number
25244K
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 11th Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a red crescent in the center of the flag. Undyed cotton hoist with no grommets. An inscription on the hoist reads "1st Brg 1st Div 11 Army Corps R. C. Toy [illegible]." Machine stitching; flat-felled seams. Hand stitching at fly.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a red crescent in the center of the flag. Undyed cotton hoist with no grommets. An inscription on the hoist reads "1st Brg 1st Div 11 Army Corps R. C. Toy [illegible]." Machine stitching; flat-felled seams. Hand stitching at fly. Natural/undyed cotton threads.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25242E
catalog number
25242E
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 14th Army Corps, Department of the Cumberland

Swallowtail flag. Blue field with two white stars near the hoist. Red union, next to hoist, with three crossed white stripes. Two of the stripes form a saltire; a third stripe of equal width, called a pale, vertically bisects the saltire. White hoist.
Description
Swallowtail flag. Blue field with two white stars near the hoist. Red union, next to hoist, with three crossed white stripes. Two of the stripes form a saltire; a third stripe of equal width, called a pale, vertically bisects the saltire. White hoist. Machine stitching; flat-felled seams. Inscription on the hoist reads "2nd Brg. 3rd Div. 14th Army Corps Dept. of / Cumberland."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25244L
catalog number
25244L
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 1st Brigade, 4th Division, 20th Army Corps, Department of the Cumberland

Wool bunting pennant flag. Red field with a dark green five-point star in the center of the flag. White cotton hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "4th Div 1st Brg 20 Army Corps Dept. of/Cumberland R.C.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. Red field with a dark green five-point star in the center of the flag. White cotton hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "4th Div 1st Brg 20 Army Corps Dept. of/Cumberland R.C. Toy 49 N 9th Phila." The flag is machine-stitched with flat-felled seams using red and white cotton thread.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25250FF
catalog number
25250FF
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 12th Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with a red border around all three sides. White cotton five-point star in the center of the flag. The star is two pieces--one sewn on the front, one on the back. White cotton open-sleeve hoist is machine-stitched and has no grommets.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with a red border around all three sides. White cotton five-point star in the center of the flag. The star is two pieces--one sewn on the front, one on the back. White cotton open-sleeve hoist is machine-stitched and has no grommets. Flag seams are machine-stitched and flat-felled; they are done with black, natural, red, and tan cotton thread. Inscription on hoist reads "3rd Brg. 2nd Div. 12 th Army Corps".
Notes from condition survey: Pole sleeve stitched closed at one end. Double thickness of red border fabric basted on with red and black fabric. Illegible ink numbers near one end of the hoist.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25243K
catalog number
25243K
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 4th Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with white equilateral triangle in center of flag. White cotton canvas heading. Machine stitching; flat-felled seams. Blue, white, brown, and unbleached cotton threads. The inscription on the hoist reads "1st Brg. 2nd Div.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with white equilateral triangle in center of flag. White cotton canvas heading. Machine stitching; flat-felled seams. Blue, white, brown, and unbleached cotton threads. The inscription on the hoist reads "1st Brg. 2nd Div. 4th Army Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25235Z
catalog number
25235Z
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 9th Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with a white shield applique in the center of the flag. Painted on the shield is a red cannon diagonally crossed with a painted blue anchor (the cannon surmounts the anchor). White hoist with no grommets. Flat-felled center seam.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with a white shield applique in the center of the flag. Painted on the shield is a red cannon diagonally crossed with a painted blue anchor (the cannon surmounts the anchor). White hoist with no grommets. Flat-felled center seam. Inscription on hoist reads "1st Brg 2nd Div 9 Army Corps R.C. Toy... [illegible]".
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25270N
catalog number
25270N
accession number
64127

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