NMAAHC Collections Search

Tuskegee Airmen Congressional Gold Medal

Commissioned by: United States Department of the Treasury, American, founded 1789
Subject of: Tuskegee Airmen, 1941 - 1946
Created by: United States Mint, American, founded 1792

Medium: gold
Dimensions: 2 15/16 × 2 15/16 × 3/16 in. (7.5 × 7.5 × 0.5 cm)

Type: medals

Date: 2007

Caption: The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian recognition awarded by the U.S. Congress. This medal was presented to the Tuskegee Airmen, African American pilots flying for the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. Awarded on March 29, 2007, the medal recognized their “unique military record that inspired revolutionary reform in the Armed Forces.”
Description: A gold medal featuring three men in profile in the center, with "TUSKEGEE AIRMEN" at top and an eagle with spread wings at the bottom.

Topic: African American; Civil Rights; Military; Tuskegee Airmen; World War II

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2007.8

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Awards and Medals
Exhibition: Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Seaman's Protection Certificate for Robert Barnaby

Created by: Barker, J. N., American
Subject of: Barnaby, Robert, American, born 1807

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 8 1/2 x 10 3/8 in. (21.6 x 26.4 cm)

Type: citizenship papers

Place made: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America

Date: April 21, 1834

Description: Originally issued in 1826, this is an official copy of an early manuscript Seaman's Protection Certificate for Robert Barnaby (April 21, 1834). The certificate describes him as as "a Citizen of the United States of America," with "black complexion, black eyes, wooly hair."

Topic: African American; Free communities of color; Military; United States--History--War of 1812

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2009.14.3

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Slavery and Freedom Objects; Documents and Published Materials-Business and Legal Documents
Exhibition: Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Receipt for blankets given to soldiers Prince Simbo and Sampson Freeman

Created by: Unidentified
Subject of: Simbo, Prince, American, ca. 1737 - 1810; Freeman, Sampson, American

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 4 11/16 x 8 5/16 in. (11.9 x 21.1 cm)

Type: receipts

Place made: Hartford, Hartford County, Connecticut, United States, North and Central America

Date: April 21, 1778

Description: One page, quatro receipt, written on both sides in black ink.

Topic: African American; Military; Slavery; United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2009.14.7

Restrictions & Rights: public domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Slavery and Freedom Objects; Documents and Published Materials-Business and Legal Documents
Exhibition: Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

US Navy dress jumper worn by Lorenzo DuFau on USS Mason

Manufactured by: United States Navy, American, founded 1775
Worn by: DuFau, Lorenzo A., American, 1920 - 2015

Medium: wool, cloth tape, and plastic buttons
Dimensions: H x W x D (on form): 27 1/2 × 25 × 11 in. (69.9 × 63.5 × 27.9 cm); H x W (flat): 27 1/4 × 17 in. (69.2 × 43.2 cm)

Type: pullovers; military uniforms

Date: 1944-1945

Description: A navy blue wool US Navy dress uniform jumper worn by Lorenzo DuFau during World War II. The jumper is a pullover style sweater made from a very dark blue thick fulled wool and features a traditional sailor collar and fitted sleeves with gathered cuffs. It has a blue twill tape drawstring in the waist that protrudes from two holes at the center front of the hem. Two (2) white five-pointed stars are machine embroidered with one in each corner of the back of the collar. The edge of the collar and the fitted cuffs are trimmed with three (3) rows of white tape. The cuffs close with two (2) black plastic buttons each. An anchor is engraved into the face of the buttons. There is one (1) welted watch pocket at the proper left breast. Sewn at the proper right breast is a Ruptured Duck diamond-shaped patch of blue wool with a yellow machine-embroidered design of a spread eagle inside a circle, given for honorable discharge. A first class signalman's patch made from blue wool with machine embroidery of a white eagle over crossed signal flags above three (3) red chevrons is sewn on the upper arm of the proper right sleeve. The jumper is not lined. White stamped text that is severely deteriorated can be seen on the interior proper right back above the hem reading "DU FAU USA". A cream tag with blue printed text is hand sewn on the proper left back interior hem reading "LORENZO DUFAU".

Topic: African American; Clothing and dress; Military; Race relations; World War II

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Lorenzo A. DuFau

Object number: 2009.5.1

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Clothing-Historical
Exhibition: Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

American Campaign service medal awarded to Lorenzo DuFau

Manufactured by: United States Navy, American, founded 1775
Owned by: DuFau, Lorenzo A., American, 1920 - 2015

Medium: metal and ribbon
Dimensions: H x W x D: 3 × 2 3/16 × 3/16 in. (7.6 × 5.5 × 0.5 cm)

Type: medals

Date: 1985

Description: A US military American Campaign service medal awarded to Lorenzo A. DuFau, who served in the US Navy. The medal is round and depicts an airplane, large ship, and a submarine in front of a cityscape below the text "AMERICAN CAMPAIGN" on the front, with the reverse showing a standing American bald eagle with the text "UNITED / STATES OF / AMERICA / 1941 / 1945". The medal hangs on a metal loop from a ribbon of light blue, white, black, red, and navy blue stripes. A locking pin back is adhered to the back of the ribbon.

Topic: African American; Military; Race relations; World War II

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Lorenzo A. DuFau

Object number: 2009.5.2

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Awards and Medals
Exhibition: Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

World War II Victory service medal awarded to Lorenzo DuFau

Manufactured by: United States Navy, American, founded 1775
Owned by: DuFau, Lorenzo A., American, 1920 - 2015

Medium: metal and ribbon
Dimensions: H x W x D: 3 × 1 7/16 × 3/16 in. (7.6 × 3.7 × 0.5 cm)

Type: medals

Date: 1989

Description: A US military World War II Victory service medal awarded to Lorenzo A. DuFau, who served in the US Navy. The medal is round and depicts an allegorical figure of Liberation with the text "World War II" flanking her legs on the front and the text "FREEDOM / FROM FEAR AND WANT / FREEDOM OF SPEECH / AND RELIGION" encircled by the text "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / 1941 1945". The medal hangs on a metal loop from a ribbon of a wide center red stripe surrounded by thin rainbow stripes. A locking pin back is adhered to the back of the ribbon.

Topic: African American; Military; Race relations; World War II

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Lorenzo A. DuFau

Object number: 2009.5.3

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Awards and Medals
Exhibition: Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

European African Middle Eastern Campaign service medal awarded to Lorenzo DuFau

Manufactured by: United States Navy, American, founded 1775
Owned by: DuFau, Lorenzo A., American, 1920 - 2015

Medium: metal and ribbon
Dimensions: H x W x D: 3 × 1 7/16 × 1/4 in. (7.6 × 3.7 × 0.6 cm)

Type: medals

Date: 1985

Description: A US military European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign service medal awarded to Lorenzo A. DuFau, who served in the US Navy. The medal is round and depicts a group of soldiers disembarking from a large ship below the text "EUROPEAN / AFRICAN MIDDLE / EASTERN CAMPAIGN" on the front, with the reverse showing a standing American bald eagle with the text "UNITED / STATES OF / AMERICA / 1941 / 1945". The medal hangs on a metal loop from a ribbon of green, brown, white, black, red, and navy blue stripes. A locking pin back is adhered to the back of the ribbon.

Topic: African American; Military; Race relations; World War II

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Lorenzo A. DuFau

Object number: 2009.5.4

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Awards and Medals
Exhibition: Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Binoculars used by Peter L. Robinson, Sr. during World War I

Manufactured by: Carl Zeiss, German, founded 1846
Used by: Robinson, Peter L. Sr., American, 1892 - 1979
Subject of: 92d Infantry Division, American, 1917 - 1945

Medium: leather , glass and metal
Dimensions: without strap: 2 5/16 x 6 7/8 x 4 1/2 in. (5.9 x 17.5 x 11.4 cm); with strap: 2 5/16 x 6 7/16 x 16 1/2 in. (5.9 x 16.4 x 41.9 cm)

Type: binoculars

Date: ca. 1917

Description: A set of black Zeiss-Stereo Day Marine Glass binoculars with Bausch & Lomb lenses and a brown leather strap.

Topic: African American; Military; World War I

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Peter L. Robinson, Jr. and Marie Robinson Johnson

Object number: 2010.18.2

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Tools and Equipment-Military
Exhibition: Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Helmet worn by Peter L. Robinson, Sr. during World War I

Manufactured by: Unidentified
Worn by: Robinson, Peter L. Sr., American, 1892 - 1979
Subject of: 92d Infantry Division, American, 1917 - 1945

Medium: steel, leather, burlap, string and net
Dimensions: H x W: 5 x 11 1/2 x 12 in. (12.7 x 29.2 x 30.5 cm)

Type: helmets

Date: ca. 1917

Description: Steel helmet with leather chin strap and headband.; The exterior circumference of the headband fits inside of the helmet and is made of leather. There are slits every inch, in which cylindrical beads are inserted. The top portion is lined with a white burlap material and netting. The interior is lined with a shiny black fabric.

Topic: African American; Clothing and dress; Military; World War I

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Peter L. Robinson, Jr. and Marie Robinson Johnson

Object number: 2010.18.3ab

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Clothing-Historical
Exhibition: Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Leather leggings worn by Peter L. Robinson, Sr. during World War I

Manufactured by: Unidentified
Worn by: Robinson, Peter L. Sr., American, 1892 - 1979
Subject of: 92d Infantry Division, American, 1917 - 1945

Medium: leather
Dimensions: 2010.18.4a: 11 3/4 x 6 7/8 x 3 5/8 in. (29.8 x 17.5 x 9.2 cm); 2010.18.4b: 12 x 6 1/2 x 3 1/4 in. (30.5 x 16.5 x 8.3 cm); Displayed together: 16 x 14 x 8 in. (40.6 x 35.6 x 20.3 cm)

Type: leggings

Date: ca. 1917

Description: A pair of brown leather leggings with leather strap and two buckle fasteners.

Topic: African American; Clothing and dress; Military; World War I

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Peter L. Robinson, Jr. and Marie Robinson Johnson

Object number: 2010.18.4ab

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Clothing-Historical
Exhibition: Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Traveling trunk used by George Thompson Garrison in the Civil War

Manufactured by: Crouch & Fitzgerald, American, founded 1839
Owned by: Garrison, George Thompson, American, 1836 - 1904
Subject of: 55th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, American, 1863 - 1865

Medium: wood, leather, cotton, metal
Dimensions: trunk: 18 × 31 × 17 in. (45.7 × 78.7 × 43.2 cm); insert tray: 3 9/16 × 29 5/8 × 15 3/4 in. (9 × 75.3 × 40 cm); canvas bag: 12 5/8 × 30 11/16 × 16 9/16 in. (32 × 78 × 42 cm)

Type: trunks (containers)

Place made: New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
Place used: Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, United States, North and Central America; South Carolina, United States, North and Central America

Date: ca. 1860

Description: A traveling trunk owned by George Thompson Garrison while serving as an officer with the 55th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. The wood, leather bound trunk is embossed throughout with four rows of brass rivets along the front, top and back of the base and lid. The leather is also stitched along the edges and lip of the trunk. Two metal buckles attached to leather straps are on the left and right sides of the front. A leather strap is attached to the top left of the trunk but the top right strap is removed. The removed strap is broken into nine pieces and includes a meral buckle. The leather is a different color where the original strap was located. A hinged lock plate is on the front of the base with the locking mechanism directly above it on the lid. Embossed below the lock plate on the base is “CROUCH & FITZGERALD / MAKERS / New York.” Embossed on the left and right sides of the trunk is “Geo T. Garrison.” The interior of the trunk has a removable cloth lined tray and a red leather pouch embedded into the cloth lined lid. Underneath the tray is a canvas bag with “Geo T. Garrison.” printed on each side in black paint. The canvas bag is torn in several places.

Topic: African American; Military; Slavery; United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2010.24a-d

Restrictions & Rights: No known copyright restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Slavery and Freedom Objects; Tools and Equipment-Military
Exhibition: Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Itinerary for Col. Charles Young's trip from Wilberforce, OH to Washington, DC

Written by: Col. Young, Charles, American, 1864 - 1922
Received by: Price, Oscar W., American, born 1894

Medium: ink on paper (fiber product)
Dimensions: H x W: 5 7/8 x 6 1/2 in. (14.9 x 16.5 cm)

Type: itineraries

Place depicted: Wilberforce, Greene, Ohio, United States, North and Central America; Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1918

Description: Black typewritten text printed on yellowed paper, at the top is [ITINERARY OF COL. CHARLES YOUNG.] At the bottom is [Total number of miles 497. / Rest one day, trip 16 days. / Walked 15 min. out of each hr. / Average 31 miles.]
Transcription Center Status: Transcribed by digital volunteers

Topic: African American; Correspondence; Local and regional; Military; Race discrimination; Resistance; World War I

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2010.39.3

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Documents and Published Materials
Exhibition: Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Letter to Oscar W. Price from Colonel Charles Young

Written by: Col. Young, Charles, American, 1864 - 1922
Received by: Price, Oscar W., American, born 1894

Medium: ink on paper (fiber product)
Dimensions: H x W: 10 3/4 x 7 5/16 in. (27.3 x 18.6 cm)

Type: letters (correspondence)

Place made: Wilberforce, Greene County, Ohio, United States, North and Central America

Date: August 14, 1918

Description: A typewritten letter printed in black ink on yellowed paper. At the top is [Wilberforce, Ohio, Aug. 14, 1918]. The letter is addressed to [Sergt. Oscar W. Price] at Camp Hancock, Georgia and signed [Chas. Young]. The letter concerns Young's decision not to give Price a recommendation, writing [You have the stuff in you and don't stand in need of any recommendatory letters]. Young also notes that he has enclosed an itinerary (2010.39.3) of his trip to Washington, DC, to lobby for his reinstatement to active duty.
Transcription Center Status: Transcribed by digital volunteers

Topic: African American; Correspondence; Men; Military; Race discrimination; Resistance; World War I

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2010.39.5

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Documents and Published Materials
Exhibition: Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

The Fifteenth Amendment. Celebrated May 19th 1870

Created by: Kelly, Thomas
Subject of: Douglass, Frederick, American, 1818 - 1895; Delany, Martin Robison, American, 1812 - 1885; Revels, Hiram Rhodes, American, 1827 - 1901; President Grant, Ulysses S., American, 1822 - 1885; Colfax, Schulyer, American, 1823 - 1885; President Lincoln, Abraham, American, 1809 - 1865
Recorded by: Brown, John, American, 1800 - 1859

Medium: lithographic ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 20 1/2 x 26 1/4 in. (52.1 x 66.7 cm)

Type: color lithographs

Place depicted: Baltimore, Maryland, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1870

Description: At center, a depiction of a parade in celebration of the passing of the 15th Amendment. Framing it are portraits and vignettes illustrating the rights granted by the 15th Amendment: "We till our own fields," "The Ballot Box is Open to Us," "We Unite in the Bonds of Fellowship with the Whole Human Race," etc.

Topic: African American; Art; Civil Rights; Law; Military; Politics (Practical); Reconstruction (United States History, 1865-1877)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2010.45.11

Restrictions & Rights: Public Domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Visual Arts
Exhibition: Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

French Croix de Guerre medal received by Lawrence McVey

Issued by: French Republic, French, founded 1792
Designed by: Bartholomé, Albert, French, 1848 - 1928
Received by: McVey, Lawrence Leslie, American, 1897 - 1968
Subject of: 369th Infantry Regiment, American, 1913 - 1945

Medium: bronze , ribbon
Dimensions: H x W: 4 1/4 x 1 1/2 x 1/8 in. (10.8 x 3.8 x 0.3 cm)

Type: medals

Date: 1918

Caption: The 369th United States Infantry, nicknamed the “Harlem Hellfighters,” was the first African American regiment of troops to reach the battlefields of World War I. The 369th Regiment was formed from the 15th New York National Guard Regiment and was recognized as part of the U.S. Army on July 15th, 1917. The regiment arrived in Brest, France on January 1st, 1918, being the first African American U.S. soldiers to arrive in France and initially assigned to dam building and stevedores in charge of loading and unloading cargo. The 369th Regiment, due to racial tension within the US Army was assigned to the French Army for the duration of US involvement in WWI. The 369th were the first Allied troops of the war to reach the banks of the Rhine. Upon completion of the 369th’s service in the war, the regiment had spent 191 days in combat, the longest of any American regiment. The entire 369th Regiment, in appreciation for their actions in the Maison-en-Champagne campaign, was given the Croix de Guerre, a medal awarded by the French Government for acts of bravery in conflicts against the enemy. In addition to this honor, 171 individual members of the 369th Regiment were awarded the Croix de Guerre and the Legion of Honor. The 369th Regiment finished their service in Europe and returned to the US in February 1919.
Description: Florentine bronze cross patée, with two crossed swords between the arms. The center of the front side shows the symbolic profile of the French Republic: a young woman wearing a Phrygian cap. The words République Française (French Republic) encircle the portrait. The cross is suspended by a green ribbon with seven narrow vertical red stripes. A bronze star affixed to the ribbon indicates McVey was honored at the regiment or brigade level.

Topic: African American; Military; World War I

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Gina R. McVey, grand daughter

Object number: 2011.108.9.1

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Awards and Medals
Exhibition: Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Women's US Army Service hat worn by Brigadier General Hazel Johnson-Brown

Created by: Sam Bonk Uniform and Civilian Cap Company, American, founded 1963
Worn by: Brig. Gen. Johnson-Brown, Hazel, American, 1927 - 2011

Medium: wool, polyester, plastic, metal, and elastic
Dimensions: H x W x D: 3 3/4 x 9 x 8 in. (9.5 x 22.9 x 20.3 cm); H x W x D (On Form): 5 1/2 × 8 3/4 × 10 in. (14 × 22.2 × 25.4 cm)

Type: hats; dress uniforms

Place used: United States, North and Central America

Date: 1980

Description: Green US Army Nurse's dress uniform hat with band and insignia pin worn by Brigadier General Hazel Johnson-Brown. The hat (a) is made from olive green wool and has a rounded brim, designed to be turned up in the back, and a flat crown. The hat is lined with green polyester with an interior hat band of black ribbon. The top of the interior is lined in waterproofing clear plastic. A removable decorative band (b) is made of the same green wool fabric and has a rounded crest at the center front. Two leafy vines are machine embroidered in gold thread along the band. The fabric is attached at the back with a length of thin black elastic, which is hidden by the upturned brim of the hat when the band is placed on to the hat. A U.S. Army gold insignia pin (c) is attached at the center front crest of the band.

Topic: African American; Clothing and dress; Military; Vietnam War, 1961-1975; Women

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Alice Calberb F. Royal

Object number: 2011.146.1.5abc

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Clothing-Historical
Exhibition: Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Hand tinted portrait of Pauline C. Cookman in uniform

Photograph by: Unidentified
Subject of: Cookman, Pauline C., American, born 1922

Medium: silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper with pigment
Dimensions: H x W (Image and Sheet): 6 13/16 x 5 in. (17.3 x 12.7 cm)

Type: chromogenic color prints; portraits

Date: ca. 1945

Description: Hand tinted photograph of a Women's Army Corps soldier wearing a khaki uniform. It is inscribed "to mom love Polly" in the lower right corner on the front. The photograph has the name "Pauline Cookman" written on the back.

Topic: African American; Military; Photography; United States--History--1945-1953; Women; World War II

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2011.155.135

Restrictions & Rights: Unknown – Restrictions Possible

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Media Arts-Photography
Exhibition: Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Medal for United Spanish War Veterans

Issued by: United Spanish War Veterans, American, 1904 - 1992

Medium: bronze and ribbon
Dimensions: 2 5/8 x 7/8 x 1/4 in. (6.7 x 2.2 x 0.6 cm)

Type: medals

Date: after 1904

Description: A bronze three piece Spanish American War Veterans medal with ribbon issued to members of the United Spanish War Veterans. At the top of the medal is bronze American eagle in mid-flight within a laurel wreath in front of a shield with vertical stripes and five-pointed stars. Attached to this piece is a ribbon in the shape of an American flag hanging vertically with thirteen stripes and thirteen stars. Attached to the bottom of the ribbon is a bronze piece consisting of a cavalry saber, an infantry rifle, and a naval anchor, all crossed. Attached to this piece is the final component of the medal which is a bronze Spanish American War cross, with the four arms (clockwise from right to left), reading: "PORTO RICO/ CUBA/ PHILIPPINES/ USA". This cross also contains the dates "1898-1902" with the words "SPANISH WAR VETERANS" surround a small circular military scene. On the reverse side of the cross the four arms read (clockwise from right to left): "NORTH/ SOUTH/ EAST/ WEST." At the center circle of the cross is a field of five-pointed stars and vertical stripes with the word "UNITED" atop the field of stars and stripes.

Topic: African American; Military; Spanish-American War, 1898

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2011.155.217

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Awards and Medals
Exhibition: Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

World War I enlisted soldier's tunic and cigarette holder

Manufactured by: Unidentified
Distributed by: United States Army, American, founded 1775
Subject of: 93rd Infantry Division, American, 1917 - 1919

Medium: wool, wood, tooth or horn
Dimensions: Tunic on form: 27 1/2 x 24 1/2 x 14 1/2 in. (69.9 x 62.2 x 36.8 cm); Cigarette holder: 3 3/4 x 7/16 in. (9.5 x 1.1 cm)

Type: military uniforms

Date: 1914-1918

Description: A World War I enlisted soldier's olive drab tunic with a 2nd Lieutenant cloth insignia on the shoulder strap and a 93rd Infantry Division patch on the shoulder. A cigarette holder (2011.155.299b) made of wood and tooth or horn was discovered inside one of the pockets.

Topic: African American; Buffalo Soldiers; Clothing and dress; Military; World War I

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2011.155.299ab

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Clothing-Historical
Exhibition: Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Receipt for payment to Jack Little for his service in the Continental Army

Issued by: State of Connecticut, American, founded 1778
Subject of: Continental Army, American, 1775 - 1796; 4th Connecticut Regiment, 1775 - 1783
Signed by: Little, Jack, American; Lawrence, Samuel, American; Butler, Richard, American

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 4 3/16 x 8 5/16 in. (10.6 x 21.1 cm)

Type: receipts

Place used: Connecticut, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1782

Description: Revolutionary War payment receipt owned by Jack Little, a soldier from the 2nd Company, 4th Regiment of the Connecticut Line, in the Continental Army. The receipt is printed on yellowed paper with black ink. It has a printed border with the words “FOR THE PAYMENT OF” at the top and “THE CONNECTICUT LINE” at the bottom. At the center of the document is printed text with blank spaces. Additional handwritten words and numbers have been recorded in the document in order to complete it. The left side of the document has been trimmed and there is a circular hole in the center of the paper. On the back of the certificate additional payments are recorded with handwritten notes in black ink by at least two different people. Also written on the back is Jack Little’s mark.

Topic: African American; Business; Colonial America; Military; United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2011.155.313

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Documents and Published Materials-Business and Legal Documents
Exhibition: Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

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