Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Banner |
Common Name |
Flag |
Catalog Number |
1987.81.247 |
Date |
ca. 1942 |
Material(s) |
Silk/Cotton |
Dimensions |
H-9 W-5 inches |
Description |
This is a very small World War I or World War II Service flag or banner, also called the Blue Star Flag or Mother's War Banner. It is made of two layers of silk with a cotton interior lining. On the obverse, the banner has a white field (6 5/8" h x 2 7/8" w) with a 2-inch wide red border. The edges of both the front and the back are folded under and sewn together. In the white field above center is an embroidered five-point blue star with two flags crossed and extending out of the top of the center of the star. The left flag is the blue, starred standard United States Union Jack, and the right flag is the national flag of the United States of America (American flag). The reverse is a solid piece of red silk. |
Notes |
Service banners hung in house windows to indicate that a family member was serving in the Armed Forces. Blue stars symbolize an active duty soldier and gold stars symbolize a loss. These banners were first used in World War I, and they were popular by the end of World War II. |
Collection |
KHS Museum Collection |
Event |
World War II |
Subjects |
Flags Banners Military service World War I World War II |
Search Terms |
Flags Military World War, 1914-1918 World War, 1939-1945 American War Mothers |
Physical Holder |
Kentucky Historical Society - KHS |