- On View
- Military History Gallery
- Museum Maps
- Objects in this Location
- Created by
- 1st Infantry Regiment
- Received by
- General Powell, Colin L., American, 1937 - 2021
- Subject of
- United States Army, American, founded 1775
- United States Department of Defense
- United States Armed Forces, American, founded 1775
- Date
- September 1969
- Medium
- metal on wood
- Dimensions
- H x W: 10 × 8 × 3/4 in. (25.4 × 20.3 × 1.9 cm)
- Caption
- This plaque was presented to Major Colin Powell for his second tour in Vietnam. The Vietnam War was a training ground for many future American leaders. Powell later became Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Secretary of State.
- Description
- A wooden plaque commemorating the Third Battalion, First Infantry Regiment, Major Colin L. Powell’s military unit in Vietnam, presented to Powell September 1969. This square medium wooden plaque features a four-point beveled front and two metal plates. The center and largest plate depicts the outline and list of cities in the country of Vietnam, tracing the activities of the U.S. military presence during the war. In large black text the plaque reads “THIRD BATTALION, FIRST INFANTRY” and “ALWAYS FIRST”. The United States Army 1st Infantry “SEMPER PRIMUS” Unit Crest is positioned parallel to the Vietnam map and features a red-white-and blue coat of arms on a golden oval with emblazoned shield and belt. A rectangular metal plate at the bottom of the plaque is engraved with the text “MAJOR COLIN L. POWELL / EXECUTIVE OFFICER 3RDBN 1STINF / JULY 1968 SEPT 1969”. On the reverse of the plaque, at the top, is a metal hanging hook and a white paper label with black text that reads “94-0014”.
- Place collected
- McLean, Fairfax County, Virginia, United States
- Place depicted
- Viet Nam, Asia
- Classification
- Memorabilia and Ephemera - Other
- Type
- plaques
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Alma J. Powell
- Object number
- A2022.101.1.103
- Restrictions & Rights
- No known copyright restrictions
- Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.




