Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is a phenomenal 48-Star flag which was carried through France by Lieutenant Ernest Bouldin Harper, 10th Field Artillery, 3rd Division. The flag has been carefully framed in a serving tray which has been mounted to allow for hanging. The frame includes a phenomenal period provenance note, with the officer’s Identification bracelet mounted at the top.

The note, which is titled A Veteran, reads:

This little flag is entitled to three gold service chevrons, and five battle stars. It sailed from the U.S. accompanied by an American officer in December 1917, and returned in July 1919.
It served under the following com-mands: with the 30th. Reg. French Field Artillery in the Vosges, with the 10th. U.S. F.A. in France from May 1918 to November 30th, and in Germany with the Army of Occupation with the same regiment. It was in the following major operations of the American Army: Marne Defensive (Chateau-Thierry), Marne Offensive, St. Mihiel, and the Meuse-Argonne.

It has been in the following countries and places: England, France, Alsace-Lorraine, Germany, on the Swiss border, in the Mediterra-nean, in Gibraltar, and off the coast of Iceland.

"I am the mystery of the men who do without knowing why. I am no more than what you believe me to be, and I am all that you believe I can be".

This is a heartfelt note which wonderfully contextualizes the journey this flag made across the world in the possession of Lieutenant Harper. The entire piece measures 14¼ x 18 x 1¾” and is in fantastic condition. The set comes with several pages of printed research on Harper, including pages from the Divisional history which lists Harper as the 10th Field Artillery’s Regimental Machine Gun Officer during the Marne Offensive, and as the Regimental Machine Gun and Gas Officer during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive.

This is a fantastic set ready for further research and display. Original WWI flags with provenance like this are very difficult to come by, so don’t miss out on this fantastic set!