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

Village (Soppe-le-Bas) in German Alsace

Ink wash sketch on paper. The sketch shows a village street that is lined with timber frame buildings. American troops walk up and down the street and stand or sit among the buildings.
Description
Ink wash sketch on paper. The sketch shows a village street that is lined with timber frame buildings. American troops walk up and down the street and stand or sit among the buildings. Lining the street are poles that have painted textiles hanging from them--forming several rows of what look like banners; these served as camouflage to prevent German observation balloons from watching troop movements. At the far left of the sketch, there is a water spigot in the foreground.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-05
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25897 [dup1]
catalog number
25897
accession number
64592

Scroll of Aragon

Continuous roll of 10 sketches by Harvey Dunn, official artist with the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) during World War I.
Description
Continuous roll of 10 sketches by Harvey Dunn, official artist with the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) during World War I. Depicted on the scroll from left to right are the following sketches: 1) "Cunel" A charcoal sketch showing dead horses and howitzer at left foreground and soldiers advancing towards a house at top center. 2) A rough charcoal sketch showing a soldier lying dead at left foreground and soldiers firing as they advance at top center background. 3) "Seichsprey / 26th Division / May 16th / 1918" A color crayon sketch showing a bunker in the middle of a cemetery. A soldier stands at the entrance of the bunker, surrounded by tombstones. 4) A color crayon sketch showing a village street. Civilians stand among the white buildings with brown roofs. 5) A color crayon sketch showing a woman sitting on a chair next to a building in the middle of a village street. 6) Color crayon sketch showing a horse and wagon in front of a building at left. A man is standing by the wagon and another is visible walking down the street at right. 7) Color crayon sketch of a village street. Three connected buildings are shown at center and right with white walls and brown and green roofs. Part of a fourth building is visible at left. 8) "Seichprey / May 16th" A color crayon sketch showing six American soldiers standing in a trench at foregound. The soldiers at left are looking toward a village visible in the distance. 9) Watercolor and charcoal sketch showing an American soldier running through a yellow field with a revolver in his right hand. A line of trees is visible in the background. 10) "Our Heavies / on the Marne - July 23, 1918" A watercolor and charcoal sketch showing a gun crew in yellow with two big guns. The men are in the middle of a green field with two trees. They are pointing the guns toward the left distance.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
artist
Dunn, Harvey Thomas
maker
Dunn, Harvey Thomas
ID Number
AF.67853m
accession number
229290
catalog number
67853M

American Troops Descending Avenue President Wilson

Pencil and ink wash sketch. The scene is of a group of American soldiers marching in formation in an urban square. One of the soldiers in the march is carrying an American flag. An airplane flies over the city. Washington statue on left.
Description
Pencil and ink wash sketch. The scene is of a group of American soldiers marching in formation in an urban square. One of the soldiers in the march is carrying an American flag. An airplane flies over the city. Washington statue on left. The sketch is on a piece of heavy card stock that is affixed to a piece of cardboard. Underneath the sketch, also attached to the cardboard, is a printed label that reads :"AMERICAN TROOPS DESCENDING AVENUE/PRESIDENT WILSON/Paris, July 4, 1918/BY E. PEIXOTTO/TRANSFERRED FROM THE WAR DEPARTMENT/2963."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25805
catalog number
25805
accession number
64592

Unloading Ship at Bassen Docks

A charcoal and watercolor sketch on paper of cranes unloaded a ship at Bassen Docks in Bordeaux, France. At top right is a crane lifting a camouflaged jeep. A white ship is in the background with a large smokestack at the left.
Description
A charcoal and watercolor sketch on paper of cranes unloaded a ship at Bassen Docks in Bordeaux, France. At top right is a crane lifting a camouflaged jeep. A white ship is in the background with a large smokestack at the left. There is a train locomotive in the left foreground bellowing smoke and two white horses, harnessed, standing in front of the train. Soldiers and workers are scattered around the ship and the docks, pushing carts, loading wagons, and observing the unloading. Signed at bottom right by the artist, "W.J. Aylward, A.E.F. '19"
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1919
artist
Aylward, William James
ID Number
AF.25678
catalog number
25678
accession number
64592

The Ammonia Compressor at the Great Ice Plant, Gievres

Charcoal drawing on paper. The focal point of the drawing is a large machine. The drawing is framed by a pipeline on the left. On the right, in the background, are a set of stairs and more equipment.
Description
Charcoal drawing on paper. The focal point of the drawing is a large machine. The drawing is framed by a pipeline on the left. On the right, in the background, are a set of stairs and more equipment. The catalog card reads: "The entire plant, one of the largest in existence, was brought over and constructed by Americans."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-07
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25867
catalog number
25867
accession number
64592

A Billet, Neuvilly

Charcoal sketch on textured paper. A shell-torn building with two figures in an opening. A tent appears on the right side, partially obscured by a pillar of the building.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal sketch on textured paper. A shell-torn building with two figures in an opening. A tent appears on the right side, partially obscured by a pillar of the building.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25794
catalog number
25794
accession number
64592

Casemate Camp Des Romains

Charcoal sketch on paper. Through a large archway in the foreground, the viewer can see the interior of a building, filled with debris and deceased men. Rays of sun come through a hole in the building made by a shell.
Description
Charcoal sketch on paper. Through a large archway in the foreground, the viewer can see the interior of a building, filled with debris and deceased men. Rays of sun come through a hole in the building made by a shell. Original notation (on catalog card): "The Camp des Romains forms the apex of the St. Mihiel salient and its fortress was deemed impregnable. On the afternoon of Sept. 12th it was bombarded and a great shell pierced the arch of this casemate killing the commander's orderly and three other German soldiers. It was evacuated that night."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917-1918
Battle of St. Mihiel
1918-09-12-15
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25816
catalog number
25816
accession number
64592

Ruins of Baccarat

Ink wash sketch on paper, of a street lined by ruined buildings. The view is from the inside of a shell-torn building and looks to the opposite side of the street.
Description
Ink wash sketch on paper, of a street lined by ruined buildings. The view is from the inside of a shell-torn building and looks to the opposite side of the street. A woman, stooped and holding the hand of a small child, passes an American soldier in the street.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25861
catalog number
25861
accession number
64592

Saumur on the Loire

Pencil and ink wash sketch on white paper. In the background is a large building, in front of which are troops engaging in training. In the left foreground are a group of American soldiers, all wearing the Montana-peak style hat. Next to them is a tripod of some sort.
Description
Pencil and ink wash sketch on white paper. In the background is a large building, in front of which are troops engaging in training. In the left foreground are a group of American soldiers, all wearing the Montana-peak style hat. Next to them is a tripod of some sort. Catalog card indicates that the sketch is of a training school for American artillery officers at Saumur on the Loire.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25862
catalog number
25862
accession number
64592

Village Square in Bouresches

Charcoal and pencil sketch on paper. The focal point of the drawing is a large denuded tree that looks like it has been shelled. There is a man arranging something (possibly rocks for a grave) at the base of the tree.
Description
Charcoal and pencil sketch on paper. The focal point of the drawing is a large denuded tree that looks like it has been shelled. There is a man arranging something (possibly rocks for a grave) at the base of the tree. The background depicts the buildings of a square, all of which have been shelled.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-07
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25896
catalog number
25896
accession number
64592

St. Juvin

Charcoal and graphite sketch on paper. The sketch shows several shell-torn buildings in Saint-Juvin, France during World War I. In the foreground of the work, surrounding a dirt road, are damaged buildings, debris, a broken telephone pole, and a motor truck.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal and graphite sketch on paper. The sketch shows several shell-torn buildings in Saint-Juvin, France during World War I. In the foreground of the work, surrounding a dirt road, are damaged buildings, debris, a broken telephone pole, and a motor truck.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25864
catalog number
25864
accession number
64592

The Prisoner

Oil painting on canvas of a German prisoner being escorted through a shell-torn village by a group of American soldiers. The German prisoner, seen in the center of the painting, is wearing a stormtrooper helmet (stahlhelm) and a black uniform with red trim and is unarmed.
Description
Oil painting on canvas of a German prisoner being escorted through a shell-torn village by a group of American soldiers. The German prisoner, seen in the center of the painting, is wearing a stormtrooper helmet (stahlhelm) and a black uniform with red trim and is unarmed. He is surrounded by five American soldiers in olive drab uniforms who are carrying rifles with bayonets fixed (most likely M1903 Springfield rifles). On the left, another American soldier and a French soldier in a blue uniform are watching the group from behind the collapsed wall of a building. In the background on the right, four American soldiers are standing with another French soldier drinking coffee. There are shell-torn buildings in the background and piles of rubble on the ground. Signed at bottom left by the artist, 'Harvey Dunn, 18"
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
Dunn, Harvey Thomas
artist
Dunn, Harvey Thomas
ID Number
AF.25723
catalog number
25723
accession number
64592

Verdun Offensive

Charcoal and crayon drawing on textured cream wove paper. The paper is mounted on heavy brown cardboard. Troops on foot and mounted on horses in foreground. A line of heavy artillery and soldiers dominate the center of the drawing.
Description
Charcoal and crayon drawing on textured cream wove paper. The paper is mounted on heavy brown cardboard. Troops on foot and mounted on horses in foreground. A line of heavy artillery and soldiers dominate the center of the drawing. Smoke plumes trail out of the artillery guns; the background is misty with smoke.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Harding, George Matthews
ID Number
AF.25730
catalog number
25730
accession number
64592

A Quiet Game in Essey

Pen and ink sketch of an interior scene of a soldiers' billet. One group of men is playing cards while others watch. Another group appears on the other side of a clothesline. There is a horse in the left background. Sketch is done on tan card.Currently not on view
Description
Pen and ink sketch of an interior scene of a soldiers' billet. One group of men is playing cards while others watch. Another group appears on the other side of a clothesline. There is a horse in the left background. Sketch is done on tan card.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-09-15
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
maker
Duncan, Walter Jack
ID Number
AF.25687
catalog number
25687
accession number
64592

Billets in Cell of the Old Monastery of Rangeval

Charcoal sketch on blue-gray paper. The work depicts a group of soldiers billeted in a cell of the old Monastery of Rangeval near Boucq, France.
Description
Charcoal sketch on blue-gray paper. The work depicts a group of soldiers billeted in a cell of the old Monastery of Rangeval near Boucq, France. A drawing on the wall above the sleeping pallets shows France (the woman) killing "the German monster." Soldiers are lounging on cots beneath the drawing. A line of drying laundry hangs on the left side of the sketch.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25809
catalog number
25809
accession number
64592

Monument Left to the Memory of the German Occupation of Flirey

Brush and ink wash with touches of graphite. A large ruin stands in the center of the sketch; some small trees or shrubs are to the left of the ruin. Sketch done on beige wove paper mounted on tan card with decorative ruled graphite lines.
Description
Brush and ink wash with touches of graphite. A large ruin stands in the center of the sketch; some small trees or shrubs are to the left of the ruin. Sketch done on beige wove paper mounted on tan card with decorative ruled graphite lines. A label attached to the center bottom of the card mount reads: "MONUMENT LEFT TO THE MEMORY OF THE/GERMAN OCCUPATION OF FLIREY/BY W. J. DUNCAN/TRANSFERRED FROM THE WAR DEPARTMENT/2854."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-09-13
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
maker
Duncan, Walter Jack
ID Number
AF.25696
catalog number
25696
accession number
64592

Walking Cases

Charcoal, pastel, and watercolor drawing on paper of two wounded American soldiers resting on their way back from the firing line. The soldiers are sitting in the grass with their backs against the wall of a ruined building.
Description
Charcoal, pastel, and watercolor drawing on paper of two wounded American soldiers resting on their way back from the firing line. The soldiers are sitting in the grass with their backs against the wall of a ruined building. The soldier on the left is in uniform with his shirt partially removed and is wrapping a bandage around his wounded and bleeding arm. The soldier on the right is in uniform with a helmet and gas mask and is looking straight off into the distance. His left shin is bandaged and bleeding. A large sack with a helmet resting on top is propped against the wall at right. There is a large hole in the wall, probably from an exploding shell. Signed by the artist at bottom left, "Harvey Dunn, AEF, 1918"
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
Dunn, Harvey Thomas
artist
Dunn, Harvey Thomas
ID Number
AF.25726C
catalog number
25726C
accession number
64592

Mandres

Pencil sketch on paper. In this French village scene from World War I, American soldiers walk down a road leading through a small town. On the building on the right is a sign that reads "MANDRES" hanging from an entryway.Currently not on view
Description
Pencil sketch on paper. In this French village scene from World War I, American soldiers walk down a road leading through a small town. On the building on the right is a sign that reads "MANDRES" hanging from an entryway.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-10
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26015
catalog number
26015
accession number
64592

Mine Crater, on the Road to Varennes

Charcoal, ink wash, and crayon sketch on white paper. The drawing depicts a large crater, filled with water, on a road to Varennes, France. The ridges around the crater are lined with American soldiers.
Description
Charcoal, ink wash, and crayon sketch on white paper. The drawing depicts a large crater, filled with water, on a road to Varennes, France. The ridges around the crater are lined with American soldiers. Museum records pertaining to this object indicate: "This great mine crater, 160 feet wide, was in the main road and American engineers are here seen lowering its top and filling it in preparatory to bridging it over."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25847
catalog number
25847
accession number
64592

French Engineers Clearing Wreckage of Bridge Château-Thierry

Charcoal, gouache, and oil on paper. The work depicts a group of French engineers (in blue uniforms) clearing the wreckage of a bridge in Château-Thierry, France. A section of the bridge has entirely collapsed into the water.
Description
Charcoal, gouache, and oil on paper. The work depicts a group of French engineers (in blue uniforms) clearing the wreckage of a bridge in Château-Thierry, France. A section of the bridge has entirely collapsed into the water. On the left, two American soldiers sit on an intact section of the bridge. The shell-torn buildings of the town line the far side of the water.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Aylward, William James
ID Number
AF.25684A
catalog number
25684A
accession number
64592

Wagon Train at Viffort

Charcoal, crayon, and gouache on paper. This village street scene depicts a wagon train; mounted soldier in center of drawing.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal, crayon, and gouache on paper. This village street scene depicts a wagon train; mounted soldier in center of drawing.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Aylward, William James
ID Number
AF.25681
catalog number
25681
accession number
64592

Field No 1, Issoudun

A pencil and watercolor sketch on paper of an airfield at Issoudun, France. On the right is a line of grounded airplanes; many airplanes are also flying above the field. On the left is a row of hangars. This field is part of the Third Aviation Instruction Center, the U.S.
Description
A pencil and watercolor sketch on paper of an airfield at Issoudun, France. On the right is a line of grounded airplanes; many airplanes are also flying above the field. On the left is a row of hangars. This field is part of the Third Aviation Instruction Center, the U.S. Air Service's largest training base in Europe 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.25983
catalog number
25983
accession number
64592

Dugouts of the 5th Marines

Charcoal sketch on white paper. The work depicts American soldiers at their dugouts in a forested area.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal sketch on white paper. The work depicts American soldiers at their dugouts in a forested area.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Morgan, Wallace
ID Number
AF.25765
catalog number
25765
accession number
64592

A Street Corner at Badonviller

Pencil and watercolor on paper. The work depicts a street corner at Badonviller, France during World War I. A large pile of bundled supplies sits in front of a building with a sign reading "Cafe Des Halles."Currently not on view
Description
Pencil and watercolor on paper. The work depicts a street corner at Badonviller, France during World War I. A large pile of bundled supplies sits in front of a building with a sign reading "Cafe Des Halles."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-04
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25940
catalog number
25940
accession number
64592

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