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.

Name: War Department

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

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

Out from Battle

Charcoal sketch, with some color, on card. The drawing depicts two soldiers carrying a wounded man on a stretcher; other wounded soldiers follow them. Barbed wire entanglement on right. There appears to be smoke on the horizon.
Description
Charcoal sketch, with some color, on card. The drawing depicts two soldiers carrying a wounded man on a stretcher; other wounded soldiers follow them. Barbed wire entanglement on right. There appears to be smoke on the horizon. Something indistinct sits in the sky on the left.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
maker
Morgan, Wallace
ID Number
AF.25777
catalog number
25777
accession number
64592

American Artillery and Machine Guns

Color crayon and charcoal sketch on paper. A line of American soldiers and horses pulling artillery pass through a shell-torn town. The background is comprised of badly damaged buildings. In the foreground are parts of broken equipment and vehicles.Currently not on view
Description
Color crayon and charcoal sketch on paper. A line of American soldiers and horses pulling artillery pass through a shell-torn town. The background is comprised of badly damaged buildings. In the foreground are parts of broken equipment and vehicles.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-07
1918-07-24
associated date
1917-1918
previous owner
War Department
artist
Harding, George Matthews
ID Number
AF.25728
catalog number
25728
accession number
64592

To the Victor Belong the Spoils

Crayon sketch on paper of two American soldiers and a German prisoner standing next to a large pile of looted objects. The American soldier on the left is carrying a rabbit and mauser rifle while smoking a German pipe.
Description
Crayon sketch on paper of two American soldiers and a German prisoner standing next to a large pile of looted objects. The American soldier on the left is carrying a rabbit and mauser rifle while smoking a German pipe. The German prisoner in the middle is wearing a camouflaged helmet and smoking a cigarette. The American soldier at right is wearing a German feld miitze (field cap) under his helmet, holding a violin and a mauser rifle, and smoking a German pipe. At left is a large pile of looted objects, the spoils of war, including a mauser rifle with wooden holster, a pickelhaube, a feld miitze, a gas mask, a German stick grenade, books, and candlesticks. Signed at center left by the artist, "Geo. Harding AEF."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
1918-09-13
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
Harding, George Matthews
War Department
artist
Harding, George Matthews
ID Number
AF.25751
catalog number
25751
accession number
64592

The Alert, Badonviller

Charcoal sketch on paper of two soldiers standing lookout in a trench in Badonviller, France. Both soldiers are holding rifles and are scanning the area, having apparently been alerted to incoming enemy action.
Description
Charcoal sketch on paper of two soldiers standing lookout in a trench in Badonviller, France. Both soldiers are holding rifles and are scanning the area, having apparently been alerted to incoming enemy action. A forest of shell-torn trees surrounds the trench.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Morgan, Wallace
artist
Morgan, Wallace
ID Number
AF.25784
catalog number
25784
accession number
64592

Field Encampment near Dun-sur-Meuse

Ink and watercolor color sketch on paper. The work depicts a field encampment near Dun-sur-Meuse, France, after the Armistice of World War I. A road cuts through a field where there are a large number of tents pitched.
Description
Ink and watercolor color sketch on paper. The work depicts a field encampment near Dun-sur-Meuse, France, after the Armistice of World War I. A road cuts through a field where there are a large number of tents pitched. Several graves marked by crosses line one side of the road.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25926
catalog number
25926
accession number
64592

American Wounded

Charcoal and pastel (or possibly color crayon) sketch on white paper. Three wounded American soldiers (in black and white) walking in front of a shell-torn church. The soldier to the left is carrying one end of a stretcher that is mostly out of the picture.
Description
Charcoal and pastel (or possibly color crayon) sketch on white paper. Three wounded American soldiers (in black and white) walking in front of a shell-torn church. The soldier to the left is carrying one end of a stretcher that is mostly out of the picture. To the right is a French soldier, with his back to the viewer, in the small church graveyard. Smoke rises from the ruins of the church.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-07
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Harding, George Matthews
ID Number
AF.25735
catalog number
25735
accession number
64592

American Ration Train Headquarters

Charcoal, crayon, and pastel sketch on heavy cream wove paper. A large farm building, with a breezeway in the center, dominates the sketch. In the left foreground are two horses and a soldier, while on the right, an American soldier stands next to a wagon.
Description
Charcoal, crayon, and pastel sketch on heavy cream wove paper. A large farm building, with a breezeway in the center, dominates the sketch. In the left foreground are two horses and a soldier, while on the right, an American soldier stands next to a wagon. A mounted French soldier can be seen through the building's breezeway.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-06-18
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Harding, George Matthews
ID Number
AF.25733
catalog number
25733
accession number
64592

On the Crest of No-Man's Land between Flirey and Essey

Charcoal sketch on paper. Sketch shows a fenced off field that's been destroyed by shell fire in the foreground. Army trucks and soldiers are behind the field. One American soldier is in the quarantined field. Two barrage balloons are in the sky.
Description
Charcoal sketch on paper. Sketch shows a fenced off field that's been destroyed by shell fire in the foreground. Army trucks and soldiers are behind the field. One American soldier is in the quarantined field. Two barrage balloons are in the sky. There are fields and rolling hills in the background.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Smith, J. Andre
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26029
catalog number
26029
accession number
64592

A Billet at Peronne

A watercolor and pencil sketch on paper of a billet at Peronne, France. The sketch depicts buildings in disrepair with several soldiers standing in the street. A stack of timber sits in front of the buildings.Currently not on view
Description
A watercolor and pencil sketch on paper of a billet at Peronne, France. The sketch depicts buildings in disrepair with several soldiers standing in the street. A stack of timber sits in front of the buildings.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-04
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25901
catalog number
25901
accession number
64592

Southwest of Chateau Thierry

Colored pencil sketch on white paper, mounted on brown thick paper. This sketch is a landscape showing several marching soldiers walk through a field off into the distance.
Description
Colored pencil sketch on white paper, mounted on brown thick paper. This sketch is a landscape showing several marching soldiers walk through a field off into the distance. There are several agricultural fields separated by large trees on the right of the sketch, and woods to the left.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Smith, J. Andre
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26047
catalog number
26047
accession number
64592

Billeting Village Near Neufchateau, Farm Building

Charcoal, watercolor, and gouache on heavy white card paper. The work depicts a set of buildings on a farm near Neufchâteau, France. The farm buildings are detailed with their bricks, roofs, and chimneys. There is an outline of a road.
Description
Charcoal, watercolor, and gouache on heavy white card paper. The work depicts a set of buildings on a farm near Neufchâteau, France. The farm buildings are detailed with their bricks, roofs, and chimneys. There is an outline of a road. A building is in the immediate foreground on the left although the entire building is not shown. The sky is partially blue, and there are some trees in the background.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Aylward, William James
ID Number
AF.25647
catalog number
25647
accession number
64592

American Artillery Relieved at Deumx After Days of Hard Fighting

Charcoal sketch on illustration board. The work depicts the exhausted members of an artillery unit moving away from the line at Deumx, France. A line of soldiers, horses, wagons, and artillery pieces are moving through a forest.
Description
Charcoal sketch on illustration board. The work depicts the exhausted members of an artillery unit moving away from the line at Deumx, France. A line of soldiers, horses, wagons, and artillery pieces are moving through a forest. Many of the soldiers, whether riding on horses, vehicles, or walking, are slouched and stooped.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-07
associated date
1917-1918
depicted
1918-07-19
associated person
War Department
artist
Morgan, Wallace
ID Number
AF.25758
catalog number
25758
accession number
64592

German Artillery Position Near Essey - St. Mihiel Sector

A pencil sketch on paper. This captured German artillery position near Essey is in the St. Mihiel Sector in France. The scene depicts a dugout covered with wood and leaves on top of a hill. This position would have provided optimal cover and range for artillery strikes.
Description
A pencil sketch on paper. This captured German artillery position near Essey is in the St. Mihiel Sector in France. The scene depicts a dugout covered with wood and leaves on top of a hill. This position would have provided optimal cover and range for artillery strikes. An American soldier sits on the ground in the right foreground.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-09
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25992
catalog number
25992
accession number
64592

The Light Tank at the Tank Center

Charcoal sketch on paper of four Renault-type light tanks parked in a wooded area. There are numbers attached to the trees behind the tanks, presumably to number or identify the tanks below. Two tanks act as a focal point at center, framed by trees on either side of them.
Description
Charcoal sketch on paper of four Renault-type light tanks parked in a wooded area. There are numbers attached to the trees behind the tanks, presumably to number or identify the tanks below. Two tanks act as a focal point at center, framed by trees on either side of them. Tracks from the tank treads are visible in the grass surrounding the tanks.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Townsend, Harry
artist
Townsend, Harry
ID Number
AF.26095
catalog number
26095
accession number
64592

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