Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. Just received from the collection of a deceased flag collector, this is a wonderful WWII US Navy used 48 Star American Flag. This flag was donated to the Flag Heritage Foundation some time after the company’s founding by Antoinette Rungee, the widow of esteemed flag collector Dr. Clarence Rungee in 1971 and was a part of the Dr. Clarence R. Rungee Memorial Collection for many years. The flag was acquired by Heritage Auctions and sold in 2020, then sold again for $1,000 making this a spectacular deal!
Now this is a fantastic US Naval ensign which was flown from the top of the USS General C.C. Ballou, most likely during Operation Magic Carpet, the return of U.S. Servicemen. Accompanying the flag is a signed letter from the Office of the Master U.S.A.T. “General C.C. Ballou” and dated December 30, 1949 signed by Gunvald Gunderson, Navigating Officer.
The letter is addressed to THE INTERNATIONAL WAR FLAG MUSEUM and is as follows:
Dear Dr. Clarence R. Rungee:
In regards to your letter requesting one of our flags for your collection. It indeed gives us great pleasure to be able to forward one of our ensigns to you. Which I hope will prove to be satisfactory for your collection.
USS(U.S.A.T. ) General C. C. Ballou (T-AP-157). USS General C. C. Ballou (AP-157) was one of 30 General G. O. Squier-class transport ships built for the U.S. Navy during World War II. Commissioned at the end of the war she never saw combat and sailed to Europe for Operation Magic Carpet, the return of U.S. servicemen.
The ensign of the Ballou is a 41" X 81", 48-star, wool bunting, double applique, sewn stripe, flag finished with heading and grommets that complies with a US Navy Ensign, size #9. The flag is marked on the lower obverse hoist, "U.S.A.T. GENERAL C.C. BALLOU" and on the upper hoist, "Valley Forge Flag Co. 3.52 X 6.69 FT." The flag is torn in multiple areas as shown in the photos, a solid indication that this example saw faithful service!
The Ballou was the namesake of Charles Clarendon Ballou (1862-1928), a West Pointer who served in the Spanish American War, the Philippine-American War, and World War I where he commanded the 92nd and 86th Divisions, earning a Silver Star, the Croix de Guerre, and the Légion d'honneur.
She made two voyages to India and one circumnavigation of the globe returning servicemen. She was decommissioned 1946 and transferred to the US Army Transportation Corps. She would serve again during the Korean Conflict.
Ensigns from "workhorse" ships like the Ballou are often overlooked and fall through collecting's cracks. This flag would appeal to collectors of US Navy and U.S.A.T., WWII naval, Korean Conflict, and early Cold War artifacts.
For her service, the Ballou was awarded the American Campaign Medal, Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with five campaign stars, the United Nations Service Medal, and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.
A lovely example ready for further research and display.
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