{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-48-star-naval-ensign-flown-from-the-uss-general-c-c-ballou-will-signed-letter-from-the-navigating-officer-as-sold-by-heritage-auctions-from-the-dr-clarence-r-rungee-memorial-collection","title":"Original U.S. WWII 48 Star Naval Ensign Flown From The USS General C.C. Ballou With Signed Letter From The Navigating Officer, As Sold By Heritage Auctions - From The Dr. Clarence R. Rungee Memorial Collection","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal 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!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNow 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 \u003cstrong\u003eOffice of the Master U.S.A.T. “General C.C. Ballou\u003c\/strong\u003e” and dated December 30, 1949 signed by Gunvald Gunderson, Navigating Officer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe letter is addressed to \u003cstrong\u003eTHE INTERNATIONAL WAR FLAG MUSEUM\u003c\/strong\u003e and is as follows:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDear Dr. Clarence R. Rungee:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn 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.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUSS(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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe ensign of the Ballou is a\u003cstrong\u003e 41\" X 81\u003c\/strong\u003e\", 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, \"\u003cstrong\u003eU.S.A.T. GENERAL C.C. BALLOU\u003c\/strong\u003e\" and on the upper hoist, \"\u003cstrong\u003eValley Forge Flag Co. 3.52 X 6.69 FT.\u003c\/strong\u003e\" The flag is torn in multiple areas as shown in the photos, a solid indication that this example saw faithful service!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEnsigns 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA lovely example ready for further research and display.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40540837347397,"sku":"ONSV23SOS305","price":895.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/products\/ONSV23SOS305__1A.jpg?v=1679108981","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-48-star-naval-ensign-flown-from-the-uss-general-c-c-ballou-will-signed-letter-from-the-navigating-officer-as-sold-by-heritage-auctions-from-the-dr-clarence-r-rungee-memorial-collection","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}