Recently was given a 48 star funeral flag belonging to a great great uncle. He was USN during WWI, passed in 1951.

If you've never seen one, 48 star flags are much larger than the current 50 star flags.

It has been stored for decades folded improperly, and does have some staining on it. We had planned to hang it, and clean it, in an effort to flatten it back out before my dive LT's boy scouts folded it for storage correctly.

The big question we had was display. I know I can have a case built large enough to store it folded, but we had considered having it framed flat with the entire star field visible and part of the stripes visible because it was so different looking. I've found some conflicting statement on whether this is considered "proper" for a funerary flag. Obviously it would be glassed behind a uv resistant glass.


I also have my father's, and we just installed it into a case a few days ago. I added three fired casings(I do not have his unfortunately), and plan to do a little more with it if possible.

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The big question we had was display. I know I can have a case built large enough to store it folded, but we had considered having it framed flat with the entire star field visible and part of the stripes visible because it was so different looking. I've found some conflicting statement on whether this is considered "proper" for a funerary flag. Obviously it would be glassed behind a uv resistant glass.

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Personally, I think because of the care you are going through to display this and protect it, there is no way this could be (or would be) considered improper nor would anyone question whether you are showing due respect for this. To me, the only possible alternative to what you are doing would be to donate it to a museum.

You are clearly honoring its purpose.

I'm still doing some research, but it will be part of a three flag display that will encompass 4 generations of my family history on both sides.

You can't do it wrong. You are honoring them, their history and the country.

Good for you!

And you should be proud!

At the risk of sounding pretentious, I am proud of your efforts.

one box we have will be a display from my great grandfather. I have photos he took days after the signing of the armistice in the Arden forest that ill be displayed in a case underneath it, and plan to get his awards replaces and displayed with them.


The one that makes me sad is my Father's flag. The military is telling us his DD214 was destroyed in a fire, and I have not, in a good bit of research, been able to find anything on him but a picture after boot camp. I know he served, and was wounded, in Korea shortly after the official cease fire was signed, but not much else....he didn't discuss it often.

Thank you SC

You are welcome!

They deserve thanks and you earned this by your attention to it.

Here's all three. The middle one is the 48. for reference, to get it that size, we had to double fold it. I'd say it's at least 12 inches wider and longer than the other two. it will not fit in either of those cases.

Ag of 08 - go to Korean War Project website - all sort of info on tracking down outfits, etc.

koreanwar.org

[This message has been edited by BigJim49 AustinNowDallas (edited 7/18/2013 5:50p).]