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

A Wounded "Tanker"

Charcoal sketch on white paper of soldiers helping a wounded "tanker" or tank operator. Two American soldiers kneel on the group helping another wounded soldier, while a large tank behind them shields the soldiers from harm. Another soldier is looking out the window of the tank.
Description
Charcoal sketch on white paper of soldiers helping a wounded "tanker" or tank operator. Two American soldiers kneel on the group helping another wounded soldier, while a large tank behind them shields the soldiers from harm. Another soldier is looking out the window of the tank. In the background at right, another tank and a dark cloud of smoke are visible.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Townsend, Harry
artist
Townsend, Harry
ID Number
AF.26093
catalog number
26093
accession number
64592

William M. Wainwright

Oil on illustration board. Portrait of two star General William M. Wright.
Description
Oil on illustration board. Portrait of two star General William M. Wright. Army Service Ribbons for Decorations and Medals include: Spanish Campaign, Army of Cuban Occupation, Sampson Medal, Army of Cuban Pacification, and a Unknown Ribbon (yellow ribbon with a band of blue in center, possibly Mexican Service). Wright wears a officer pin on the collar of his tunic and possibly a early design insignia of the 35th Division (blue square tilted to look like a diamond with a outline of a white circle in its center). He also wears a service cap with the insignia of the United States and a Sam Browne belt. Only Wright's head, hat, collar, insignia, service ribbons, and part of his Sam Browne belt have been filled in with color. He has grey hair, brown eyes, and is clean shaven. Wright's signature in red crayon is at the bottom center of the portrait.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1919
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
Chase, Joseph Cummings
Chase, Joseph Cummings
artist
Chase, Joseph Cummings
ID Number
AF.37728
catalog number
37728
accession number
117218

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

The Main Street in Sanzey

Brush and ink wash sketch with touches of graphite. Sketch depicts a road leading through a village. A church with a large steeple dominates the scene. Troops with horses and a wagon are on the right, lined up against the building.
Description
Brush and ink wash sketch with touches of graphite. Sketch depicts a road leading through a village. A church with a large steeple dominates the scene. Troops with horses and a wagon are on the right, lined up against the building. Smaller buildings and a water trough are on the left. Down the road, a mounted soldier's horse rears in front of a man and small child. The sketch is executed on white wove paper mounted on beige card that has been ruled with decorative graphite lines.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
maker
Duncan, Walter Jack
ID Number
AF.25703
catalog number
25703
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

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

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

Dispatch Motor Cycle

Charcoal and crayon sketch on paper. The work depicts a dispatch carrier on a motor cycle near a fortified hill. The hill, with structures on the side (possibly dugouts) dominates the background of the work. On the left are several soldiers pushing a piece of heavy artillery.
Description
Charcoal and crayon sketch on paper. The work depicts a dispatch carrier on a motor cycle near a fortified hill. The hill, with structures on the side (possibly dugouts) dominates the background of the work. On the left are several soldiers pushing a piece of heavy artillery. A low building is visible behind the dispatch carrier.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-07
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Harding, George Matthews
ID Number
AF.25741
catalog number
25741
accession number
64592

German Shelters Near Varennes

Charcoal sketch on paper of German dugouts and shelters built on the side of a hill near Varennes, France. Shell-torn buildings are visible at the top of the hill at center. Railroad tracks run next to the hill at right.
Description
Charcoal sketch on paper of German dugouts and shelters built on the side of a hill near Varennes, France. Shell-torn buildings are visible at the top of the hill at center. Railroad tracks run next to the hill at right. On the left at the top of a set of stairs is apparently a makeshift cemetery with several crosses for gravestones. People can be seen walking among the various shelters and dugouts on the hill.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-10
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25834
catalog number
25834
accession number
64592

The Crossroads, Apremont

Charcoal sketch on paper. The drawing shows three ruined structures at a crossroads in the town of Apremont, France. Debris fills the road.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal sketch on paper. The drawing shows three ruined structures at a crossroads in the town of Apremont, France. Debris fills the road.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25873
catalog number
25873
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

The Road through Fossoy. (On the German line of Retreat)

Gouache, ink wash, and graphite. The work depicts a shell-torn building near Fossoy, France. One side of the building has been completely destroyed.Currently not on view
Description
Gouache, ink wash, and graphite. The work depicts a shell-torn building near Fossoy, France. One side of the building has been completely destroyed.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-07-26
associated person
War Department
artist
Aylward, William James
ID Number
AF.25675
catalog number
25675
accession number
64592

Great Shell Hole Near Cierges

Pencil sketch on paper. This landscape depicts a shell-torn area with damaged buildings and a large shell hole in the foreground. The crater is partially filled with water. Two soldiers stand on the far edge of the crater, looking down at the water.Currently not on view
Description
Pencil sketch on paper. This landscape depicts a shell-torn area with damaged buildings and a large shell hole in the foreground. The crater is partially filled with water. Two soldiers stand on the far edge of the crater, looking down at the water.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25835
catalog number
25835
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

Tanks Attacking Early September 26th Between Avocourt and Montfaucon

Charcoal and pastel drawing on heavy beige textured laid paper. The subject of the drawing is a tank attack during World War I. In the foreground is a tank, most likely a Renault FT; in front of the tank are barbed-wire entanglements.
Description
Charcoal and pastel drawing on heavy beige textured laid paper. The subject of the drawing is a tank attack during World War I. In the foreground is a tank, most likely a Renault FT; in front of the tank are barbed-wire entanglements. Three more tanks are visible in the background. A man walks along the road. Smoke rises on the horizon.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917-1918
referenced
1918-09-26
associated person
War Department
artist
Harding, George Matthews
ID Number
AF.25749
catalog number
25749
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

View from a Ruined Garden in Vaux, France

Charcoal sketch on white paper. View of a war-torn populated area with destroyed buildings and crumbling structures from behind a damaged garden fence. Several American soldiers are walking in the background.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal sketch on white paper. View of a war-torn populated area with destroyed buildings and crumbling structures from behind a damaged garden fence. Several American soldiers are walking in the background.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
July 1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Townsend, Harry
artist
Townsend, Harry
ID Number
AF.26136
catalog number
26136
accession number
64592

Refugees from Chateau Thierry Section

Charcoal sketch on white paper. Depicted are war refugees from Chateau Thierry, France, entering a town carrying their belongings while American soldiers exit the town as part of an artillery convoy.
Description
Charcoal sketch on white paper. Depicted are war refugees from Chateau Thierry, France, entering a town carrying their belongings while American soldiers exit the town as part of an artillery convoy. At left, a woman leads a horse and oxen pulling a carriage stocked with household items and animals. A second woman rides the horse. A few civilian men follow behind them. At right, American soldiers ride horses and carriages away from the town, followed by carts filled with supplies and a large field gun. Trees line the road to the right and houses line the road at left.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Townsend, Harry
artist
Townsend, Harry
ID Number
AF.26118
catalog number
26118
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

American Troops Watering Horses

Black ink and charcoal drawing of mounted troops in a large basin/pond of water. Immediately behind them is a group of badly damaged buildings. Church spire in the center background. Birds in sky.
Description
Black ink and charcoal drawing of mounted troops in a large basin/pond of water. Immediately behind them is a group of badly damaged buildings. Church spire in the center background. Birds in sky. The sketch is done on beige wove paper mounted on brown (formerly beige) card, with decorative lines around the border ruled in graphite.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
maker
Duncan, Walter Jack
ID Number
AF.25704E
catalog number
25704E
accession number
64592

The Hand Grenade

A charcoal and pastel drawing on paper of a group of German soldiers attempting to take cover from a hand grenade that has been thrown into the middle of their party. Depicted are five German soldiers wearing dark green uniforms, two with helmets and two with fatigue caps.
Description
A charcoal and pastel drawing on paper of a group of German soldiers attempting to take cover from a hand grenade that has been thrown into the middle of their party. Depicted are five German soldiers wearing dark green uniforms, two with helmets and two with fatigue caps. Two soldiers at right are attempting to dive away from the grenade, while the three other soldiers recoil away from the grenade. The soldier at left is standing against the wall with his hands shielding his face. The grenade is likely an Mk.I Offensive Fragmentation grenade, an Mk.II Defensive Fragmentation grenade, or a French F1 Defensive grenade. It is in the center of the room emitting white smoke but has not yet detonated. The soldiers are in a stone room, possibly a bunker or an "Albri," with an arched doorway which the grenade was thrown through. Signed at bottom left by the artist, "Harvey Dunn, AEF"
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
Dunn, Harvey Thomas
artist
Dunn, Harvey Thomas
ID Number
AF.25718
catalog number
25718
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

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