[NAVA1974]

Originally Posted by coasterville

/ I was at a flea market today and saw a 48 star flag that exhibited the same tan/gold discoloration of the stars. And also clear impressions on the white stripes (cotton, maybe 4x6 or 5x 8).

If the dimensions were 4x6 or 5x8 that takes the argument that these are "gold-star internment flags" and blows it out of the water. Casket flags have almost unversally been 5 x 9 1/2 feet since WW I as they were made to Gov Spec.

Nick A
Columbia MD

[coasterville]

I won't swear to it, but it didn't *seem* to have the extra long stripes that would signify a burial flag. If I get out that way again soon, I'll see if it's still there.

The good news is I got a photo of it on my mobile, the bad news is I took a detail shot of the canton and the discoloration of the white stripes below, not an overall length of flag type photo.

[stimpy89lx]

I have a "Gold Star" burial flag, from my Great Uncle who died shortly after WWII when a truck overturned into a creek. All 48 stars are gold with crisp white stitching on the display side, with some transfer onto the white strips, other side is crisp white stars. Does anyone know for sure what the gold stars signify? I cant figure out how to post pics on here, but if anyone is interested i can email some to you. Thanks..

[csaanv]

Here are stimpy89x's flag pics he asked me to post for him:

Flag_close star.jpg

Flag_full.jpg

Flag_stars.jpg

Flag_back folded over.jpg

I think Nick (NAVA) has explained this this phenomena quite well if you read the earlier posts of this thread.
Cheers,
Mike

[maggiebankston@aol.com]

I also have one of these WWII American burial flags with all the documentation incl. a letter from the Pres. thanking us for the service of our relative & all the burial site info. from the U.S. Government stating that our family member has been buried in France & the actual location & the reason for this instead of returning the body home to the family. This flag is wool with all gold stars & the same fading marks from the stars on the white stripes from the folding of the flag, which has been stored in the original box it was mailed to us in from the U.S. Government & this box was kept all these years in a real cedar chest in mom's bedroom. I also have the complete dress uniform (Army) & hat along with a hand written diary & battallian book from the serviceman along with many, many actual photographs from France & of the military post where he was stationed. It is all very interesting, but I feel it should be available for the rest of the world to view as valuable time in history. I am at a loss as to what to do with all of this stuff. Anyone have any suggestions...I also wonder why the U.S.Government could not confirm our theory about the color of the stars & the flags rarity. I feel honored to have these items & to have been fortunate enough to see all of this stuff.

[NAVA1974]

Originally Posted by maggiebankston@aol.com

I also wonder why the U.S.Government could not confirm our theory about the color of the stars & the flags rarity.

Because the US Government contracted with various flagmakers for flags with 48 WHITE stars and 13 red and white stripes. The government doesn't know or care that after 50 years or more some of the stars on some of those flags discolored to golden brown. Flag manufacturing and materials have changed since the 1940's and 50's and you will not likely see any such discoloration on flags made today.

Originally Posted by maggiebankston@aol.com

I also have the complete dress uniform (Army) & hat along with a hand written diary & battallian book from the serviceman along with many, many actual photographs from France & of the military post where he was stationed. It is all very interesting, but I feel it should be available for the rest of the world to view as valuable time in history.

Check with a local historical society to see if they need a uniform for a WW II display. If not, then there are certainly collectors of militaria who would be interested, some of which may use the uniform and flag in presentations to school children, as I have done with flags from my collection on a number of occasions.

Nick A
Columbia Maryland