Blue Star Banner, World War I   Save
Ohio History Connection Museum
Description: Jemima A. Gorrel displayed this flag in her window at 14709 Ardnell Avenue in Cleveland. Her three sons, Claude Earl, Joseph and Ben, served in World War I. This flag dates from 1917-1918. It is rectangular flag measuring 62 by 40 cm. Mary Pelfrey of Columbus, Ohio, donated this service flag to the Ohio Historical Society in 1989. ConnectOH donor file: "Rae Heidy Weiss" The In Service Flag (Blue Star Banner) was patented by an Ohioan, Colonel Robert L. Queisser of East Cleveland, Ohio, on 6 November 1917. Intended for display by families who have members serving in the Armed Forces, blue star banners are also displayed in shop windows to honor the members of that organization who were serving. Most flags were homemade by mothers, though they later became mass-produced. Upon death in service the blue star was replaced by a gold one. One of the most famous flags was that of the five Sullivan brothers who all perished on the U.S.S. Juneau. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: H59350_001
Subjects: Textile--silk; Ceremonial artifact; Communication artifact; Military flags; Flags--Ohio; World War, 1914-1918; Blue Star Banner;
Places: Cleveland (Ohio); Cuyahoga County (Ohio)