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: Official Art from the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I

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

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

German Outpost, Montfaucon

Charcoal sketch on light green paper. The sketch shows a German outpost at Montfaucon, France during World War I. The outpost consists of a large trench with walls reinforced by wooden posts.
Description
Charcoal sketch on light green paper. The sketch shows a German outpost at Montfaucon, France during World War I. The outpost consists of a large trench with walls reinforced by wooden posts. The upper left corner of an entryway, perhaps to an underground shelter, is just visible in the trench. Glued to the card underneath the sketch is a label that reads "GERMAN OUTPOST, MONFAUCON/Looking toward Hill 204/BY E. PEIXOTTO/TRANSFERRED FROM THE WAR DEPARTMENT/2990."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25832
catalog number
25832
accession number
64592

Through a Shell Hole

Charcoal and crayon sketch on heavy textured cream wove paper. Several American soldiers eat out of tin cans, as seen through a shell-hole in a wall. A broken window shutter is in the foreground.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal and crayon sketch on heavy textured cream wove paper. Several American soldiers eat out of tin cans, as seen through a shell-hole in a wall. A broken window shutter is in the foreground.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-07-08
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Harding, George Matthews
ID Number
AF.25750
catalog number
25750
accession number
64592

The Paint Shop

Ink wash sketch on paper. Interior scene of a building with exposed rafters; barrels grouped and stacked in various places. Women working on the left. A soldier stands among some barrels on the right.
Description
Ink wash sketch on paper. Interior scene of a building with exposed rafters; barrels grouped and stacked in various places. Women working on the left. A soldier stands among some barrels on the right. The catalog card reads "Sketch showing the paint shop in the central American camouflage depot at Dijon."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25883
catalog number
25883
accession number
64592

Double Escape

Oil painting on canvas shows an American balloon flying over a small village. Two airplanes, one American and one German, are engaged in combat around the balloon. The American plane has red, blue, and white roundels on its wings.
Description
Oil painting on canvas shows an American balloon flying over a small village. Two airplanes, one American and one German, are engaged in combat around the balloon. The American plane has red, blue, and white roundels on its wings. The German plane, with German insignia on the wings, has been shot and is plummeting to the ground. The plane is in pieces and smoke and flames rise into the air.
The slow-moving observation balloons were easy prey for enemy fighter planes and had to be protected by allied planes. If a balloon was hit in battle, the gas in the balloon would catch fire and the balloon pilot would be forced to jump out of the balloon with his parachute. The descending pilot would then have to avoid two dangers: being hit by the burning balloon as it fell to the ground, or being hit by enemy fire from the enemy airplane. Thus, by shooting down the German plane before it could hit the balloon, the American plane gave the balloon pilot a "double escape."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Townsend, Harry
artist
Townsend, Harry
ID Number
AF.26130
catalog number
26130
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

Town in German Alsace

Ink wash sketch on paper. The drawing depicts a street in the shadow of the buildings on the left side of the street. Two American soldiers are in the drawing: one in the far left foreground, and one walking in the center of the street. Women in the street behind the soldier.
Description
Ink wash sketch on paper. The drawing depicts a street in the shadow of the buildings on the left side of the street. Two American soldiers are in the drawing: one in the far left foreground, and one walking in the center of the street. Women in the street behind the soldier. A flag flies from one of the buildings in the background; it appears to be a French flag. The catalog card reads: "Town in German Alsace now in the American Zone and patrolled by American Military police. Massevaux in the Doller Valley."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-05
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25890
catalog number
25890
accession number
64592

Cleaning Out Boche Machine Gun Nest

Crayon and charcoal on paper. The work depicts a tank overrunning a German machine gun emplacement. There are American soldiers behind the tank. In the foreground, two German soldiers, with multi-colored camouflaged helmets, man their machine gun.
Description
Crayon and charcoal on paper. The work depicts a tank overrunning a German machine gun emplacement. There are American soldiers behind the tank. In the foreground, two German soldiers, with multi-colored camouflaged helmets, man their machine gun. The German soldier on the right holds a rifle. A barbed-wire entanglement is visible on the right.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-09-12
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Harding, George Matthews
ID Number
AF.25740
catalog number
25740
accession number
64592

Troops Descending the Moselle

Charcoal sketch on paper. The work shows troops marching along the Moselle River during World War I. The soldiers are moving along a road which closely follows the course of the river.
Description
Charcoal sketch on paper. The work shows troops marching along the Moselle River during World War I. The soldiers are moving along a road which closely follows the course of the river. The drawing is framed on the left by a line of trees, and a steep hill rises from the river in the background.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25891
catalog number
25891
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

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

Lining up Before the Commissary, Cochem

Charcoal and ink wash sketch on paper. The work depicts a street leading through the town of Cohcem, Germany at the end of World War I. Soldiers are lined up in the street outside of the Commissary. A tall building with a spire is visible in the background.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on paper. The work depicts a street leading through the town of Cohcem, Germany at the end of World War I. Soldiers are lined up in the street outside of the Commissary. A tall building with a spire is visible in the background.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25840
catalog number
25840
accession number
64592

At the Camouflage Factory in Dijon

A pastel, charcoal, and watercolor sketch on brown paper of a camouflage factory in Dijon, France. An open air building, several women are working on machines sewing cloth in front of a tall stack of brown material rolls. Wooden columns and beams on the roof can be seen.
Description
A pastel, charcoal, and watercolor sketch on brown paper of a camouflage factory in Dijon, France. An open air building, several women are working on machines sewing cloth in front of a tall stack of brown material rolls. Wooden columns and beams on the roof can be seen. A large brown tarp covers part of the right part and two women are working on a net below the tarp. Cloth in different colors are found on the left. Several buildings can be seen in the distance in the right as well as several people.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-06
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Smith, J. Andre
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25912
catalog number
25912
accession number
64592

Sept. 26, The Argonne

A charcoal and watercolor drawing on paper of a machine gun encampment formerly occupied by the Germans and now taken over by the Americans. At center are three dead German soldiers in forest green uniforms lying on the ground in front of a small doorway.
Description
A charcoal and watercolor drawing on paper of a machine gun encampment formerly occupied by the Germans and now taken over by the Americans. At center are three dead German soldiers in forest green uniforms lying on the ground in front of a small doorway. A machine gun (MG 08/15) is lying on top of one of the Germans. In the background at right, several American soldiers wearing olive drab uniforms are coming through a trench headed towards the encampment. Scattered throughout the encampment are discarded pieces of German military equipment. At left is a box of stick grenades (Model 24 Stielhandgranate). Below that is a shovel and a rifle (possibly a Gewehr 98). At bottom center is a helmet and a German officer's hat. At bottom right is an ammunition belt for a machine gun along with a knife that was probably a bayonet (Seitengewehr). Written in pencil at bottom left by the artist is: "Study - Sept 26 (The Argonne)"
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
artist
Dunn, Harvey Thomas
ID Number
AF.67525m
accession number
229290
catalog number
67525M

U.S. Troops Entering Coblenz

Charcoal, color crayon, and possibly ink wash sketch on board. Scene of a large square filled with civilians. Several soldiers can be seen among the crowd on horseback or, on the left, on a wheeled vehicle. The civilians are carrying umbrellas in the rain.
Description
Charcoal, color crayon, and possibly ink wash sketch on board. Scene of a large square filled with civilians. Several soldiers can be seen among the crowd on horseback or, on the left, on a wheeled vehicle. The civilians are carrying umbrellas in the rain. The square is lined with buildings.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
maker
Morgan, Wallace
ID Number
AF.25792
catalog number
25792
accession number
64592

The River Front at Coblenz

Pencil sketch on paper. The sketch shows a riverbank, with the river on the left and the village on the right, in the town of Coblenz (now known as Koblenz), Germany shortly after the Armistice of the First World War.Currently not on view
Description
Pencil sketch on paper. The sketch shows a riverbank, with the river on the left and the village on the right, in the town of Coblenz (now known as Koblenz), Germany shortly after the Armistice of the First World War.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-12-14
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26066
catalog number
26066
accession number
64592

Relief Entering Nesle. (Detachment Fourth Infantry, U.S.A.)

Charcoal, crayon, ink wash, and gouache on beige card. The work depicts American infantry soldiers entering the town of Nesle, France. The men march with their gear, while a soldier in the foreground looks on, with his back to the viewer.
Description
Charcoal, crayon, ink wash, and gouache on beige card. The work depicts American infantry soldiers entering the town of Nesle, France. The men march with their gear, while a soldier in the foreground looks on, with his back to the viewer. The town's buildings are damaged from shelling. There is rubble in the street.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Aylward, William James
ID Number
AF.25663
catalog number
25663
accession number
64592

Chaumont American Headquarters

Mixed media drawing on paper. The focal point of this view of Chaumont, France is the castle of the Counts of Champagne, which looms over the town in the drawing. Chaumont was the location of the American Expeditionary Force's Headquarters during World War I.Currently not on view
Description
Mixed media drawing on paper. The focal point of this view of Chaumont, France is the castle of the Counts of Champagne, which looms over the town in the drawing. Chaumont was the location of the American Expeditionary Force's Headquarters during World War I.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25970
catalog number
25970
accession number
64592

Rambucourt

Charcoal and ink wash sketch on paper. The work depicts the French village of Rambucourt during World War I, with shell-torn buildings in front of a church tower.
Description
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on paper. The work depicts the French village of Rambucourt during World War I, with shell-torn buildings in front of a church tower. The object's catalog card includes the inscription, "In the distance is the plain across which the Americans advanced on Sept. 13th, with Montsec and its village on the horizon."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25853
catalog number
25853
accession number
64592

Tressing Nets for Artillery Emplacements

Charcoal and ink wash sketch on paper. A group of women, some standing on benches, are making camouflage nets at the Central Camouflage Depot in Dijon, France.
Description
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on paper. A group of women, some standing on benches, are making camouflage nets at the Central Camouflage Depot in Dijon, France. These nets were made of pieces of painted burlap tied to wire and were used to disguise artillery positions.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25893
catalog number
25893
accession number
64592

Mezy and Surrounding Country

Pencil sketch on paper. This landscape depicts the village and surrounding countryside of Mezy, France during World War I. A body of water cuts through the center of the picture. A line of roughly sketched troops marches along a road outside of the village.
Description
Pencil sketch on paper. This landscape depicts the village and surrounding countryside of Mezy, France during World War I. A body of water cuts through the center of the picture. A line of roughly sketched troops marches along a road outside of the village. An inscription on the drawing, below the artist's signature, reads "Battle Field of the Marne - July 15-16 - 1918 - Sector of the 38 Regiment."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-07-15
1918-07-16
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26017
catalog number
26017
accession number
64592

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