The Division of Military History and Diplomacy has been collecting recruiting posters for more than 50 years. Recruiting as an activity of the military is important to the understanding of who serves in uniform, during both war time and peace time, and the visual materials used to market military service. The collection contains examples of early Civil War broadsides, World War I posters, including the original artwork for Uncle Sam as drawn by Montgomery Flagg; and World War II posters, which show the recruiting of men and women for all services, and auxiliary organizations. The collection contains primarily Civil War, Spanish American War, World War I, and World War II recruiting posters for the Army, Navy and some Marine. More modern day recruiting materials are also contained in the collections, and cover a broad range of Army recruiting slogans.
General History
Posters during World War II were designed to instill in the 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 upon 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.
Star-shaped brass medal suspended from red-and-white striped silk ribbon.
Specific History
1896 Pattern Medal of Honor awarded to Daniel Butterfield, “for distinguished gallantry in action at Gaines Mills, Va. June 27, 1862”
General History
Perhaps best known as the composer of the bugle call "Taps," Daniel Butterfield began his Civil War service as a sergeant in the Washington, D.C., militia. Two weeks later he transferred to the 12th New York Militia as a colonel. He was commissioned brigadier and major general of the Volunteers and he commanded a division of the 5th Corps. He fought at the First Battle of Bull Run on July 21, 1861. Butterfield was wounded at the Battle of Gaines' Mill, during the Peninsular Campaign; it was also at Gaines' Mill where he seized the flag of the 3rd Pennsylvania and rallied the troops, an act which eventually earned him a Medal of Honor. Butterfield later commanded successfully at Second Bull Run and Antietam, and also saw action at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. During those campaigns he served as chief of staff, Army of the Potomac.
Butterfield is also credited with designing the system of corps badges, an idea which began with Major General Philip Kearney's order to his troops to sew a two-inch patch of red fabric to their hats in order to identify each other during the confusion of battle.
The five-shot .44 caliber Kerr revolver was manufactured in England by the London Armoury Company and could be fired either single or double-action. Nearly all Kerr revolvers imported during the Civil War were purchased by the Confederacy and were preferred by many Confederate cavalrymen.
Wooden box covered with black paper. Inscribed on the cover “Geo. B. McClellan.” Paper label on the inside of cover bearing maker's name and address “Schuyler, Hartley & Graham, 19 Maiden Lane, New York.” One white pawn and one black knight are missing.
General Robert E. Lee’s first invasion of the North culminated in the Battle of Antietam, the bloodiest single-day battle in American history. More soldiers were killed or wounded at Antietam than all the American dead in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican War and the Spanish-American War combined. On September 17, 1862, General Robert E. Lee and 30,000 Confederate troops faced Major General George McClellan and 60,000 Union troops. It should have been a clear victory for McClellan, especially since his army had captured Lee’s Special Order No. 191 which directed Stonewall Jackson to march on Harpers Ferry. McClellan failed to use this information wisely, choosing instead to remain cautious. Jackson took Harpers Ferry and moved his 45,000 troops on to Antietam to reinforce Lee’s troops. McClellan was recalled to Washington and was relieved of his command.
This British cannon is marked "Surrendered by the Convention of Saratoga..."
General History
Fought in 1777 in northern New York state, the Battle of Saratoga was a major battle of the Revolutionary War. Benedict Arnold, who had not yet turned traitor, was a leader of the American offensive, which forced the surrender of British troops under General John Burgoyne. In the first battle at Saratoga, the British lost two men for every one American casualty. In terms of ground gained, however, both sides fought to a draw. In the second battle, British losses were four to one. The rebels' victory was overwhelming. After many negotiations, Burgoyne officially surrendered on October 17, 1777.
When news of the American victory reached Europe, France entered the war on the side of the patriots. Money and supplies flowed to the American cause, providing Washington's Continental army with the support necessary to continue its fight against Great Britain. Britain's loss at Saratoga proved disastrous. It signaled to the European powers that the rebels were capable of defeating the English on their own. More than any other single event, the Battle of Saratoga proved decisive in determining the eventual outcome of the war.
Description: This damaged floor marker, labeled “Stairwell C, Floor 102,” was recovered from the debris of the World Trade Center.
Context: In a high-rise building, many people ignore the stairs until an emergency. For those below the impact zones in the World Trade Center, the stairs proved to be a lifeline to safety—about 20,000 people escaped the building. Above the impact zone in the north tower (floors 94 through 98), there was no hope as all three stairwells were blocked by fire and debris. Above the impact zone in the south tower (floors 78 through 84), those who did not evacuate immediately in the 17 minutes after the north tower crash had an extremely limited chance to escape through one partially blocked stairwell. Many believe that building improvements and training procedures following the 1993 bombing helped save many lives on September 11.
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.
During the colonial period, cattle horns were used by woodsmen and by soldiers for storing gunpowder in a safe, dry place. The horns also became decorative objects as they were personalized by the owner. Makers carved names, initials, dates, flags, battles, and even full maps on the exterior of the horns.
Green beret of rifle-green wool, with a black leather sweat band. Lined with yellow cloth and marked: "Bancroft/Military Caps/Framingham Mass." The crown bears the insignia of the 7th Special Forces Group—a red felt shield and a pin of black and silver and black crossed arrows over a sword with the motto "De Oppresso Liber" or "to free the oppressed".
Specific History
United States 7th Special Forces Group Green Beret, worn by SP/5C R. J. Schmidt in Vietnam in 1964.
General History
The U.S. Army Special Forces are commonly known as the Green Berets, from their distinctive headgear. They are small groups of highly trained officers and non-commissioned officers whose mission is to conduct "behind-the-lines" operations in enemy territory, reconnaissance, target acquisition and damage assessment, and precision strikes on strategic targets. Special Forces units have another unique mission, which is to train and operate insurgency and counterinsurgency units in the field, a mission they performed admirably in Vietnam. They are well-schooled in foreign languages and customs, and are the units of choice when a training mission is done in another nation.
The 7th Special Forces Group was first formed as the 1st Company, First Battalion, 1st Special Service Force in July 1942 at Camp William Harrison in Montana. Disbanded after World War II, it was reactivated at Fort Bragg in 1953 as the 77th Special Forces Group. In 1960, the 77th Special Forces Group was designated the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), as they are still known today. Under President Kennedy, the 7th served as the cadre and building block for the formation of other special forces units. In 1961 the 7th was sent to Vietnam to advise the South Vietnamese Army and was also involved in Laos and Thailand. The first Medal of Honor earned in Vietnam was awarded to Captain Roger Donlon, a member of the 7th.
USS Carondolet was a 512-ton ironclad gunboat in the style of the Cairo. It was built in Saint Louis and commissioned in January 1862. Within a month it had contributed to the capture of both Fort Henry and Fort Donelson. The Carondolet fought in more engagements than any ship until World War II, including the capture of a Confederate fortress at Island Number Ten, operations against Fort Pillow, near Memphis, and a major campaign against Vicksburg, Mississippi. The only real opposition the Carondolet faced was in the Yazoo River when it engaged the Confederate ironclad CSS Arkansas. On July 15, 1862, the Carondolet was severely damaged by the Arkansas. After repairs, the Carondolet and the other ships of the army’s Western Gunboat Flotilla were transferred to the U.S. Navy. It was decommissioned in 1865.
This cutlass with brass hilt and folding guard, featuring flintlock pistols on either side of the blade, was a combination weapon well suited for a privateer’s hand-to-hand combat. The sword grip is leather, with the date “1796” engraved on the back strap. After both barrels were fired, the cutlass could be used.
These three fragments were cut from the flag that flew from Fort McHenry in 1814. This was the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the Star Spangled Banner. In 1880 the fragments were presented to William Carter by Eben Appleton, the grandson of the commander of Fort McHenry. Carter, a local historian, carried the Star Spangled Banner in a parade during Baltimore’s Sesquicentennial Celebration on 13 October 1880. As the flag was being packed for shipment to New York, Appleton cut three pieces and gave them to Carter. Carter’s daughter gave them to the Maryland Historical Society who donated them to the Smithsonian.
Strong Vincent used this sword at Gettysburg. The Model 1850 Staff and Field Officers sword was made by W.H. Horstmann & Sons of Philadelphia. Vincent's widow had brass plagues placed on the scabbard to commemorate her husband's service and sacrifice.
General History
Strong Vincent was a young lawyer when he volunteered for the war. He married on the day he enlisted and as he served, he wrote to his wife, “If I fall, remember you have given your husband to the most righteous cause that ever widowed a woman.” Vincent went into battle carrying her riding crop as a keepsake. At the Battle of Gettysburg, the Union saw the value of securing a rocky outcropping called Little Round Top. Vincent seized the opportunity, taking the boulder and brandishing his wife’s riding crop as he yelled to his men, “Don’t give an inch.” As he uttered the words a bullet tore through his thigh and lodged in his body. The line held, but Vincent was mortally wounded. He lingered for five days before succumbing to his wound. Major General George Sykes wrote, “Night closed the fight. The key of the battlefield was in our possession intact. Vincent, Weed and Hazlett ... sealed with their lives the spot entrusted to their keeping, and on which so much depended."
On February 16, 1862, General Buckner surrendered Fort Donelson. The unconditional surrender created jubilation throughout the North and shock in Dixie. It was the North’s first major victory of the Civil War, opening the way into the very heart of the Confederacy. When Buckner asked for terms, Grant replied, "No terms except an unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted." The Confederates surrendered, and President Lincoln promoted Grant to Major General of Volunteers. The Battle of Fort Donelson earned Grant the nickname “Unconditional Surrender Grant.”
General History
Ulysses S. Grant went to West Point, graduating in the middle of his class. At the beginning of the Civil War, he was working in his father's leather store but took command of a volunteer regiment. Grant's leadership was rewarded and by September 1861 he had risen to the rank of Brigadier General of Volunteers. Grant fought one of the bloodiest battles in the West at Shiloh, but it was not the decisive victory that the Union wanted. President Lincoln believed in Grant and refused to remove him from command, saying "I can't spare this man–he fights." His next major objective would cut the Confederacy in two. Grant maneuvered and fought skillfully winning Vicksburg, the key city on the Mississippi, and breaking the Confederate hold on Chattanooga. Lincoln appointed him General in Chief in March 1864. Grant directed Sherman to drive through the South while he himself, with the Army of the Potomac, pinned down Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. On April 9, 1865, at Appomattox Court House, Lee surrendered. Grant wrote out magnanimous terms of surrender that would prevent treason trials.
English flintlock pistol, .71 caliber made by an armorer named Gabbitas. It bears the initials "E. B." for Edward Braddock.
Specific History
General Edward Braddock gave this pistol to George Washington. In 1777 Washington mislaid the gun. A letter was sent to Captain Charles Morley on July 2, 1777. It read: “Sir, His Excellency Gen. Washington desires you to look among his effects for a pistol which was mislaid or possibly lost. You will know it by being a large brass barrel and the lock of which is also of brass with the name of Gabbitas, the Spanish armorer, thereon. It has also a heavy brass butt. His Excellency is much exercised over the loss of this pistol, it being given him by Gen. Braddock, and having since been with him through several campaigns, and he therefore values it very highly."
William Gabbitas was actually a British gunsmith, Gabitas being an old Norman French name.
On April 21, 1861, Virginians claimed an abandoned navy yard at Norfolk, Virginia. There they found the sunken hull of the burned USS Merrimack. The Merrimack was raised and on June 23, 1861 the Honorable S. R. Mallory, Confederate secretary of the navy, ordered it to be converted to an ironclad. That ironclad was christened the CSS Virginia.
The Thompson submachine gun was developed by Brig. Gen. John T. Thompson for use in the trenches during World War I, but the first models were not ready by war's end. It fired .45 ACP cartridges at about 850 rounds per minute. The model 1921AC, which came out in 1926, featured a Cutts Compensator, a muzzle brake, which helped prevent the muzzle from rising during automatic fire.