48 Star U.S. Flag, Interment Flag of Sgt. Robert Burrow, 23rd Infantry April 1945.
This 48 star United States Interment Flag was used for the funeral of U.S. Army Sergeant Robert Burrow, of Cayuga, Texas. Sgt. Burrow served in the European Theater of Operations during WWII. Sgt. Burrow's untimely death came in the last few days of the war, only a few days after he sent home war souvenirs to his family in Texas.
It is unknown how or why the custom of using flags to cover the remains of deceased members of the military began, but the tradition can be traced at least to the Anglo-Dutch wars of the 17th century. In the United States, flags were used during the Civil War during military funerals, but there is no documentation of the commencement of the custom of the US government providing a flag for a funeral service before the Spanish American War of 1898. However, since that time a flag has been provided at the funeral of every veteran. At the service the Interment Flag is draped over the casket of the deceased, playing a prominent role in the funeral as it is folded by the honor guard and then presented to the next of kin "on behalf of a grateful nation".
48 star Interment flag are relatively common, several million were made during WWI and in the years following until to star count changed to 49 in 1959. It is, however, unusual to acquire a flag, with a photograph of the deceased, his last APO postcard to his parents, and his paperwork for returning his war souvenirs.This makes this flag significant to posterity and to the memory of Sgt. Burrow.
Flag accompanied by:
Photo of Bob Burrow
Embarkation Post Card to parents
25 April 1945 certification of war material
Use of Flag Instructions.
ZFC Significant Flag
Sources:
Burial Flags, "Home of Heroes", 6 October 2011, from: http://homeofheroes.com/hallofheroes/1st_floor/flag/1bfb_disp5.html
'On Behalf of a Grateful Country ... ' Arlington National Cemetery, 6 October 2011, from: http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/grateful-nation.htm
Image Credits:
Zaricor Flag Collection
