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.

Date: 1940s

The Caissons Go Rolling Along; Crash On! Artillery

Victor Military Band. side 1: The Caissons Go Rolling Along; side 2: Crash On! Artillery (Victor 27813), from the album, Songs of the Service (Victor P 117).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Victor Military Band. side 1: The Caissons Go Rolling Along; side 2: Crash On! Artillery (Victor 27813), from the album, Songs of the Service (Victor P 117).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1942
recording artist
Victor Military Band
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1980.0339.33
accession number
1980.0339
maker number
27813
P 117
catalog number
1980.0339.33

The Rohwer Outpost

The "Rohwer Outpost" was a newspaper created by the camp internees. The paper circulated camp-specific information and activities. However, the newspaper had to watch what they printed since both the imprisoned people and the people in charge of the camp read it.
Description
The "Rohwer Outpost" was a newspaper created by the camp internees. The paper circulated camp-specific information and activities. However, the newspaper had to watch what they printed since both the imprisoned people and the people in charge of the camp read it. The paper was printed in both English and Japanese languages.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1943-09-15
ID Number
1986.3144.33
nonaccession number
1986.3144
catalog number
1986.3144.33

USO Uniform Purse, used by Rosaling Cron

This brown dimpled leather purse with shoulder strap was used by Rosalind "Roz" Cron during the USO-sponsored tour of the International Sweethearts of Rhythm to France and Germany between July 1945 and January 1946.The International Sweethearts of Rhythm was the nation's first ra
Description

This brown dimpled leather purse with shoulder strap was used by Rosalind "Roz" Cron during the USO-sponsored tour of the International Sweethearts of Rhythm to France and Germany between July 1945 and January 1946.

The International Sweethearts of Rhythm was the nation's first racially-integrated all-girl swing and jazz band. The group was initially formed from a girls' band at Missippi's Piney Woods Country Life School in the late 1930s. In 1941, the girls severed ties with the school and turned professional. Soon the group was recognized on a national level, and the girls began touring throughout the country. They even put on shows in the Jim Crow South where it was illegal for mixed races to travel and perform together. During WWII, their popularity with soldiers overseas also landed them a spot with the USO Camp Shows which toured France and Germany for six months from 1945-1946.

At age 18, Roz Cron was the youngest and one of the few white women to join the Sweethearts. Cron joined the group in 1943 to play alto sax for the band.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1945
wearer
Cron, Rosalind
ID Number
2011.0048.05
accession number
2011.0048
catalog number
2011.0048.05

Edward C. Morse's Purple Heart

Physical DescriptionThe Purple Heart is suspended on purple ribbon. The medal is made in the shape of a heart bordered with gold. Within the center of the heart is a bust of George Washington.
Description
Physical Description
The Purple Heart is suspended on purple ribbon. The medal is made in the shape of a heart bordered with gold. Within the center of the heart is a bust of George Washington. On top of the heart is Washington’s coat of arms.
Specific History
This Purple Heart was awarded posthumously to Edward C. Morse who was killed aboard the USS Arizona on December 7, 1941. The Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration in the world in present use. It is the first American award made available to the common soldier. General George Washington created it as a Badge of Military Merit. The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the armed forces of the United States who are wounded at the hands of the enemy. It is awarded posthumously to the next of kin in the name of those who are killed in action or die of wounds received in action. It is specifically a combat decoration.
General History
On December 7, 1941 Japanese aircraft flew over Pearl Harbor just before 8 a.m. The color detail was on deck to raise the flag at the stern at 8. The Arizona came under attack almost immediately, and by about 8:10 received a hit by an 800-kilogram bomb just forward of turret two on the starboard side. Within a few seconds the forward powder magazines exploded. This explosion gutted the forward part of the ship. The foremast and forward superstructure collapsed. Turrets one and two dropped more than twenty feet relative to their normal position. The explosion ignited furious fires in the forward part of the ship. The majority of the crew members were either killed by the explosion and fire or were trapped by the rapid sinking of the ship. 1,177 of the crew died on the ship.
Associated Date
1941-12-07
ID Number
AF.59458
catalog number
59458
accession number
268315

Identification button

For some Japanese American internees, work-release programs were an option for escaping the poor living conditions of the War Relocation Centers.
Description
For some Japanese American internees, work-release programs were an option for escaping the poor living conditions of the War Relocation Centers. Once participants passed "loyalty" and "character" investigations, individuals were able to leave the relocation centers to find work. One destination for Japanese Americans was Seabrook Farms located in New Jersey. Due to the employment constraints caused by the war, Seabrook employed internees to work in the fields harvesting vegetables.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940
ca 1940s
ID Number
2008.0103.01
accession number
2008.0103
catalog number
2008.0103.01

Identification Tag and Cover

Physical DescriptionMetal tag imprinted "Mary A. Millian" on a chain.
Description
Physical Description
Metal tag imprinted "Mary A. Millian" on a chain. Green yarn crocheted cover.
General History
The idea of identifying a soldier in case of injury or death during combat dates back to the Civil War, when soldiers pinned paper notes to their clothing as identification. Metal identification tags, or "dog tags" as they are popularly known, have their origins in World War I. By 1913 the United States Army made ID tags mandatory. During World War II each soldier was given two dog tags, a short chain and a long chain. The purpose of the different lengths of chain was to keep the two tags separate, so as not to make noise in the field. The smaller chain was also used for purposes of body identification in case of death.
Location
Currently not on view
issued
1944
ID Number
AF.74521M
accession number
292450
catalog number
74521M

Army Song Book

Army Song Book, published by the U. S. War Office in Washington, DC, in 1941. This song book was compiled by the Adjutant General's Office in collaboration with the Library of Congress and published by order of the Secretary of War.
Description
Army Song Book, published by the U. S. War Office in Washington, DC, in 1941. This song book was compiled by the Adjutant General's Office in collaboration with the Library of Congress and published by order of the Secretary of War. It contains lyrics for 67 songs including, "The Army Air Corps," "Song of the Signal Corps," "Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit-Bag," and "Battle Hymn of the Republic." The title pages reads: "This book is the property of the United States government and its contents may be used only within the military services." The cover features stylized historical images of U. S. Army soldiers.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1941
publisher
U.S. War Department
ID Number
1986.0588.01
accession number
1986.0588
catalog number
1986.0588.01

chalice veil

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2008.0155.05
accession number
2008.0155
catalog number
2008.0155.05

Fort Stewart Activities

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1940s
maker
Signal Corps' Army Pictorial Service and Army Communications Service
ID Number
2013.0327.0225
catalog number
2013.0327.0225
accession number
2013.0327

cross

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2008.0155.03
accession number
2008.0155
catalog number
2008.0155.03

Raffia zori (sandals)

These raffia sandals were worn by a child in the barracks. They were made by weaving a few palm strands together.Currently not on view
Description
These raffia sandals were worn by a child in the barracks. They were made by weaving a few palm strands together.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1943-1945
ID Number
1986.3144.06
nonaccession number
1986.3144
catalog number
1986.3144.06

Brehon B. Somervell

Oil on illustration board. Portrait of four star General Brehon B. Somervell.
Description
Oil on illustration board. Portrait of four star General Brehon B. Somervell. Army Service Ribbons for Decorations and Medals include: Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Service Medal, Spanish War Service, WWI Victory (with two gold stars), Army of Occupation of Germany, American Defense Service, Europeon-African Middle Eastern Campaign, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign, and Unknown Ribboon (begining and ending in red, blue band in middle with two white bands on either side. resembles Bronze Star but bands of white are too large). Somervell wears a service coat with gold officer pins on his lapels and Army Service Forces patch insignia on the shouder of his left arm sleeve. He has slicked back grey/white hair and a thin moustache. Somervell sits with his hands folded. He is in front of a brown backgroup. His signature in pencil is in the bottom right corner.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1945
associated date
1941 - 1945
associated person
Chase, Joseph Cummings
Chase, Joseph Cummings
artist
Chase, Joseph Cummings
ID Number
AF.47002
catalog number
47002
accession number
166217

Fort Stewart Activities-Parachute Exercise

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1940s
maker
Signal Corps' Army Pictorial Service and Army Communications Service
ID Number
2013.0327.0218
catalog number
2013.0327.0218
accession number
2013.0327

Johnson Automatics Model 1941 Semi-Auto Rifle

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1941
ID Number
AF.65751M
catalog number
65751M
accession number
229387
serial number
8814

Chung IL-Kwon

Oil on illustration board. Portrait of four star General Chung IL-Kwon. Army Service Ribbons for Decorations and Medals include: Distinguished Service Cross. IL-Kwon wears two unknown Republic of Korea Merit Ribbons above his right breast pocket.
Description
Oil on illustration board. Portrait of four star General Chung IL-Kwon. Army Service Ribbons for Decorations and Medals include: Distinguished Service Cross. IL-Kwon wears two unknown Republic of Korea Merit Ribbons above his right breast pocket. He possibly wears a Korean medal of merit (in the shape of a sun) below his left breast pocket. IL-Kwon wears a blue and white shoulder tab that says "KOREA" above a blue and white triangle patch insignia (inside are three small white stars at the triangle's points and one large white star in the middle of the triangle). He also wears a black tie and glasses.
Location
Currently not on view
associated date
1951 - 1953
associated person
Chase, Joseph Cummings
Chase, Joseph Cummings
artist
Chase, Joseph Cummings
ID Number
AF.58381M
catalog number
58381M
accession number
211728

breeches

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
associated date
1919 - 1940
ID Number
ZZ.RSN80760W30

Johnson Automatics Model 1941 Semi-Auto Rifle

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1941
ID Number
AF.65750M
catalog number
65750M
accession number
229387
serial number
A6551

"Want Action? Join U.S. Marine Corps!" Poster

Physical DescriptionFour-color print on paper.Specific HistoryJames Montgomery Flagg, the creator of this poster, was born in New York in 1877. As a child he began to draw and sold his first picture at the age of twelve.
Description
Physical Description
Four-color print on paper.
Specific History
James Montgomery Flagg, the creator of this poster, was born in New York in 1877. As a child he began to draw and sold his first picture at the age of twelve. Two years later he was contributing to Life magazine and at fifteen was on the staff of the The Judge. Flagg studied at the Art Students League in New York. When he was twenty, he spent a year working in London before moving to France. Flagg was one of America's leading illustrators. His illustrations were in Photoplay, McClure's Magazine, Collier's Weekly, Ladies' Home Journal, Cosmopolitan, Saturday Evening Post, and Harper's Weekly. During the World War I Flagg designed forty-six posters for the government. His most famous work is the Uncle Sam poster with the caption "I Want You for the U.S. Army." An adapted version of this poster was also used during the World War II. Flagg died in 1960.
General History
Posters during World War II were designed to instill in people a positive outlook, a sense of patriotism, and confidence. They linked the war in trenches with the war at home. From a practical point, they were used to encourage all Americans to help with the war effort. The posters called on every man, woman, and child to endure the personal sacrifice and domestic adjustments to further the national agenda. They encouraged rationing, conservation, and sacrifice. In addition, the posters were used for recruitment, productivity, and motivation as well as for financing the war effort. The stark, colorful graphic designs elicited strong emotions. The posters played to the fears, frustrations, and faith in freedoms that lingered in people's minds during the war.
date made
1942
artist
Flagg, James Montgomery
ID Number
AF.59744-N(19)
catalog number
59744-N(19)
accession number
303735
303735

Johnson Automatics Model 1941 Semi-Auto Rifle

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1941
licensee
unknown
ID Number
AF.65453M
catalog number
65453M
accession number
227453
serial number
B5013

shoulder boards, pair of

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2008.0155.06
accession number
2008.0155
catalog number
2008.0155.06

Herringbone Twill; Model 1944

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
used date
1943 -
associated date
1941 - 1945
ID Number
AF.79378M
catalog number
79378M
320748.001
accession number
320748
designer number
OLIVE DRAB 7

drawing, brown charcoal drawing of Japanese prison barracks, unknown camp,1943

Brown charcoal drawing of Heart Mountain Relocation Center barracks.Currently not on view
Description
Brown charcoal drawing of Heart Mountain Relocation Center barracks.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1943
ID Number
2008.0105.02.05
accession number
2008.0105
catalog number
2008.0105.02.05

USO Uniform Service Ribbon, presented to Roslind Cron

This Overseas Service ribbon was given to Rosalind "Roz" Cron after the USO-sponsored tour of the International Sweethearts of Rhythm to France and Germany between July 1945 and January 1946.The International Sweethearts of Rhythm was the nation's first racially-integrated all-gi
Description

This Overseas Service ribbon was given to Rosalind "Roz" Cron after the USO-sponsored tour of the International Sweethearts of Rhythm to France and Germany between July 1945 and January 1946.

The International Sweethearts of Rhythm was the nation's first racially-integrated all-girl swing and jazz band. The group was initially formed from a girls' band at Missippi's Piney Woods Country Life School in the late 1930s. In 1941, the girls severed ties with the school and turned professional. Soon the group was recognized on a national level, and the girls began touring throughout the country. They even put on shows in the Jim Crow South where it was illegal for mixed races to travel and perform together. During WWII, their popularity with soldiers overseas also landed them a spot with the USO Camp Shows which toured France and Germany for six months from 1945-1946.

At age 18, Roz Cron was the youngest and one of the few white women to join the Sweethearts. Cron joined the group in 1943 to play alto sax for the band.

Both 2011.0048.06 and .07 were in an envelope addressed to donor. It was postmarked Feb 6, 1947 from New York, NY. From the USO Camp Shows; Eight West Fortieth Street, New York 18 NY. Letter dated February 6, 1947 to Miss Rosalind Cron concerning her Civilian Service Emblem. Letter was signed by Abe Lastfogel, president.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1946
wearer
Cron, Rosalind
ID Number
2011.0048.07
accession number
2011.0048
catalog number
2011.0048.07

shirt

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
associated date
1941 - 1945
associated institution
U.S. Army
maker
Fordham Shirt Company, Inc.
ID Number
AF.72341M
catalog number
72341M
accession number
283651

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.