U.S. Regimental Color - 75th Infantry WWI, 1917.

U.S. Infantry Color 75th Regiment. WWI, 1917, Camp Lewis, WA, "Lucky 13th Division".
This U.S. Infantry Regimental Color was embroidered specifically for the 75th United Infantry. Raised during World War I, the 75th was formed from volunteers and draftees from Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Wyoming and Montana.

The 75th was part of the 13th Infantry Division; so named because the division was training in trench warfare when the Armistice was signed, 11 November 1918. Consequently, they avoided the heinous slaughter of the First World War, the "war to end all wars." Still, the activities at Camp Lewis would continue until November 1919.

Washingtonians and Tacoma residents near Camp Lewis were eager to hoist the largest flag ever to be flown up to then. Readers of the Tacoma Daily News helped pay for the flag by subscription. The flag's dimensions were 60 by 90 feet, weighing 257 pounds. The flag saw two attempts at raising it in 1918. First the heavy flag broke the original pole. Then, the flag's eyelets tore from the halyard on the second try. The replacement pole was 200 feet tall, capped by a four-foot ball at the top. Above this sphere was a 20-pointed star. It finally bore aloft the largest flag by December 7, 1918,

This color is characteristic of the fully embroidered flags that the US Army started to provide in the early 20th Century. It features the arms of the US depicted on the US Great Seal as designed by Tiffany & Co. in 1885. This was a marked departure from the painted eagles with down-turned wings previously issued.

Exhibition History

First Presidio Exhibit
(ZFC1439)
United States Army Model Of 1903 Infantry Regimental Color, 75th United States Infantry

Second Presidio Exhibit, 2003 - GALLERY VI
(ZFC1439)
United States Army 1903 Model Regimental Color, 75th U.S. Infantry

Publication History:

Madaus, Howard M., Dr, Whitney Smith, The American Flag: Two Centuries of Concord and Conflict. Santa Cruz: VZ Publications, 2006, p. 118-119.

Provenance:
• 75th U.S. Infantry, 1918/19.
• 1ST Lt. Arthur W. Bresciani (RET.)
• U.S. Army Ranger Museum Collection of New York City, until 1997.
• Consigned to Butterfield & Butterfield for auction, withdrawn, 1997.
• Sold via private treaty to the Zaricor Flag Collection, 1997.

ZFC Significant Flag
Item is Framed

Sources:

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Madaus, Howard M.- Whitney Smith, The American Flag: Two Centuries of Concord and Conflict, VZ Publications, Santa Cruz, 2006.

Quartermaster General US Army, U.S. Army Uniforms and Equipment, 1889, reprint, University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, 1986.

75th Infantry Regiment (United States), Wikipedia, 13 November 2011, from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/75th_Infantry_Regiment_%28United_States%29

Fort Lewis, Global Security, 13 November 2011, from: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/fort-lewis.htm

Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), Wikipedia, 13 November 2011, from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint_Base_Lewis-McChord

Image Credits:
Zaricor Flag Collection

CSG
USAC

xyz

Hoist & Fly
Width of Hoist	56
Length of Fly	60

Stars
Comments on Star Measurements	Six star pattern

Stripes
Size of Hoist	3

Frame
Is it framed?	yes
Frame Height	61.75
Frame Length	76

Stars
Number of Stars	13
Are there stars on obverse?	no
Are there stars on reverse?	no
Comments on Stars	1-4-3-4-1 in a great star pattern in the Glory above the eagle

Stripes
Has a Blood Stripe?	no

Crest/Emblem
Description of Crest/Emblem	Eagle holding a "E PLURIBUS UNUM" banner in mouth. Red/white stripe shield over eagle. Right claw holds leaf+berries. Left claw holds arrows (13).

Nationality
Nation Represented	United States

Fabric
Fabric	Silk

Thread
Thread Material	Cotton

Attachment
Method of Attachment	Sleeve

Applica
Applique Sides	Double Sided = Two sides different

Documentation
Research Documents
Public Copy & Signs

Condition
Condition	Excellent
Damage	Perfectly new
Displayable	yes

Date
Date	1915-1918

Exhibits

Exhibition Copy

First Presidio Exhibit (ZFC1439) United States Army Model Of 1903 Infantry Regimental Color, 75th United States Infantry Date: About 1918 Medium: Embroidered on silk Comment: Throughout the nineteenth century, the United States Army carried a blue flag with the coat-of-arms of the United States at the center of each of its infantry regiments. During the nineteenth century the figure that the eagle in the U.S. coat-of-arms followed was an informal, realistic looking flying eagle. In 1903, however, the Army adopted a new outline for the eagle in the coat-of-arms. Instead of the free flying eagle, the new pattern took on the rather rigid European-style heraldic eagle design that we still see on the US coat-of-arms today. During the nineteenth century, the U.S. Quartermasters Department had great difficulty employing sufficient embroiderers to work the coat-of-arms on its flags. Therefore, oil painted renditions of the arms would often substitute. When the Army entered the twentieth century, the regulations for embroidered devices were enforced. This color was embroidered for the 75th United States Infantry, which was attached to the 13th Division during World War I. Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection (ZFC1439) in 1997 from the U.S. Army Ranger Museum Collection of New York City. The exhibition text was written by Howard Michael Madaus, Exhibition Director of the ZFC's Flag Center, utilizing Zaricor Flag Collection archives. Second Presidio Exhibit, 2003 - GALLERY VI (ZFC1439) United States Army 1903 Model Regimental Color, 75th U.S. Infantry Comment: Throughout the nineteenth century, the United States Army carried a blue flag with the coat-of-arms of the United States at the center of each of its infantry regiments. During the nineteenth century the figure that the eagle in the U.S. coat-of-arms followed was an informal, realistic looking flying eagle. In 1903, however, the Army adopted a new outline for the eagle in the coat-of-arms. Instead of the free flying eagle, the new pattern took on the rather rigid European-style heraldic eagle design that we still see on the US coat-of-arms today. During the nineteenth century, the U.S. Quartermasters Department had great difficulty employing sufficient embroiderers to work the coat-of-arms on its flags. Therefore, oil painted renditions of the arms would often substitute. When the Army entered the twentieth century, the regulations for embroidered devices were enforced. This color was embroidered for the 75th United States Infantry, which was attached to the 13th Division during World War I. Date: About 1918 Media: Embroidery on silk Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection (ZFC1439) in 1997 from the U.S. Army Ranger Museum Collection of New York City. Notes: US Regimental Flag of the US Army in World War I; 13th Division, 75th Regiment. Signed Nov. 11 1919 at Camp Lewis Washington. Great Seal of the U.S. Embroided and sewn : "SEVENTY FIFTH U.S. INFANTRY" on red banner. Gold tassle. Fringe on top right and bottom. 2400 Framed (outside dimensions 61.75 x 76). The exhibition text was written by Howard Michael Madaus, Exhibition Director of the ZFC's Flag Center, utilizing Zaricor Flag Collection archives.

Publications

Publication Copy

Madaus, Howard M., Dr, Whitney Smith, The American Flag: Two Centuries of Concord and Conflict. Santa Cruz: VZ Publications, 2006, p. 118-119. United States Army 1904 Model Regimental Color 75th U.S. Infantry Throughout the 19th century, each infantry regiment of the U. S. Army had continued to carry a blue flag with a version of the coat of arms of the United States applied to its center. Until 1904 the form of the eagle in the coat of arms was a very informal and realistic-looking eagle. The Army then adopted a new rendition for the arms. Instead of a free-flying eagle, the new pattern took on the highly stylized European type heraldic eagle that continues to serve today. During the 19th century, the U.S. Quartermasters Department had great difficulty securing adequate embroiderers to work the emblems on the flags it required. Instead, oil-painted renditions of the arms were often provided as substitutes. When the Army entered the 20th century, the regulations for embroidered devices were enforced. This color was specifically embroidered for the 75th United States Infantry, which was attached to the 13th Division during World War I. Although the country was generally enthusiastic about entering World War I under President Woodrow Wilson, by the end of his term (19131921) he was unable to rally political or popular support for the League of Nations which he believed would help preserve peace. Date: About 1918 Size: 62" hoist x 76" fly Medium: Embroidery on silk Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection in 1995 from the U.S. Army Ranger Museum Collection of New York City. ZFC1439