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Army Artifacts

 

These artifact highlights presented below, provide a view into the Army Museum System artifact collection.
 

Army Drum Used in President John F. Kennedy's Funeral
Americans old enough to remember November 1963, and the horror of the assassination of President Kennedy, no doubt recall the relentless cadence sounded by MSG Vincent Battista, on this drum, as they watched...read more

Civil War Signal Corps Kit
Various elements of a typical Regulation Civil War Signal Corps Kit, from top to bottom: two signal flags, two torches, one a Foot Torch, the other a Flying Torch. The Flying Torch has attachments for use...read more

1917 Army Nurse Corps Uniform Coat
This 1917 vintage Army Nurse Corps coat made of wool was originally dark blue however, over the years the blue faded to a brownish-purple color. On the lapel is the then new Army NurseCorps branch insignia...read more

The Five of Hearts - Renault FT-17 Light Tank
The French-made Renault tank, nicknamed the Five of Hearts, belonged to the 344th Tank Battalion in the Tank Brigade under Col. George S. Patton, Jr. The full track steel tank with a turret mounted 37-mm gun...read more

Short-Snorter Dollar Bill
In January of 1943 Major General George S. Patton was tasked with the responsibility of billeting, feeding, and keeping secure the attendees of what is now known as the Casablanca Conference. The purpose of...read more

Presentation Drum and Forage Cap
During the Civil War, this brass shell presentation drum sounded the call to arms. It bears the inscription "Henry Galloway", who was a Field Musician with Company H, 55th Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer...read more

Destroyed Chaplain Kit
Charred remains of chaplain kit carried by Medal of Honor recipient CH (MAJ) Charles J. Watters while serving Company A, 173d Support Battalion, 173d Airborne Brigade. CH Watters received the Medal of Honor...read more

"The Weasel" - The Studebaker M29 Cargo Carrier
The M-29 Cargo Carrier, developed for the United States Army by Studebaker in 1942-1943, also known as "The Weasel", is a lightweight cargo carrier weighing 3,800 total pounds. With a ground pressure of less...read more

Saddam Hussein's Money Box
One of the items in the "spider hole" with Saddam Hussein when he was captured on 13 December 2003 was this green metal box which contained $750,000.00 in US $100 bills. This was apparently his "travelling" money...read more

Pattern 1777, Revolutionary - War Cartridge Box
Contrary to popular belief, American soldiers in the Revolutionary War generally carried cartridge boxes, rather than powder horns and shot pouches. The cartridge box held fixed cartridges of paper for faster...read more

M2 Parachutist's Helmet — Operation MARKET GARDEN
This rare M2 steel helmet, used by American paratrooper's during World War II, was recovered from the south end of the Nijmegen Bridge during the Market Garden combat operation in September 1944. In the 1960s...read more

World War II CG-4A Glider Exhibit
Although most people immediately conjure up images of paratroopers descending to earth under silken canopies when they think of airborne operations during World War II, the fact remains that half of the soldiers...read more

The Great Chain at Trophy Point
The Great Chain at Trophy Point. The West Point Museum collection contains several rare Revolutionary War artifacts. 13 links of the Great Chain which was stretched across the Hudson River from West Point to...read more

3d Armored Division, circa 1948
Derived from the same basic design for the Tank Corps insignia approved in World War I by then Captain George Patton, the shoulder sleeve insignia for the 3d Armored Division was designed in 1941. Yellow represents...read more

British Kettle Drum
This kettle drum belonged to the band of the British IXth Regiment of Foot which surrendered to American forces according to the terms of the Convention of Saratoga in 1777. The drum along with other trophies of...read more

Cavalry Corps Flag
One of the more unique objects in the U. S. Cavalry Museum collection is the Army of the Potomac/Cavalry Corps flag. General Philip Sheridan directed the flag be made and presented it to the assembled officers at the...read more

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