U.S. Camp Banner 313 Infantry Regiment.
Camp Banner 313 Infantry Regiment.
This particular banner belonged to the 313th Infantry Regiment, 79th Division (Cross of Lorraine Division) that served in World War I. a regiment organized in 1917 where most of the soldiers were raised in Maryland and therefore earned the nickname "Baltimore's Own".
The 313th Infantry Regiment was headed by Colonel Claude B. Sweezey, a West Point graduate. Recruits arrived at Camp Meade, MD in September 1917 and training got underway. By July 1918, the Regiment with 3,667 men sailed to France to join the active front near Verdun, taking part in the Meuse-Argonne offensive in September-November 1918. The troops remained in the region after the armistice order, enforcing the terms of the order. By June 1919, they returned to the United States. In the period of intense combat between September 12 and November 11, 1918, casualties were heavy in the 313th Regiment: 1,200 soldiers were wounded (78 mortally), with 223 killed outright in combat.
Sadly, "Baltimore's Own" has a unique distinction, the last American casualty of WWI, when at 10:50 A.M., one minute before the armistice, Pvt. Henry Nicholas John Gunther (June 6, 1895 - November 11, 1918), was killed in action while charging a German roadblock. Postmortem, his previous rank of supply sergeant was restored, and he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.
The 313th Regiment used the divisional insignia shown on this banner that gives it a distinctive look. The white double-barred cross was originally buff, and it sits on a blue shield. The background is diagonally divided of dark blue and buff bears that insignia and the regimental numeral of "313" appears in white.
This banner is made from cotton, and it was not an official issue item, but it is likely that it was privately acquired by soldiers of the regiment to be for as rear area identification. This example was professionally manufactured, leading to speculation that is was used in an officer's club. Where it is likely that it displayed vertically.
Mr. Bart Wigley, adjutant of the Montfaucon American Legion Post, 529 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21201, donated this banner.
This is an important artifact from the Star Spangled Banner Flag House Collection.
ZFC Important Flag
(Formerly in the Star Spangled Banner Flag House Sub-collection.)
