Description:

48-STAR JACK OF THE U.S.S. WILKES BARRE
48-star jack from the USS WILKES BARRE, 23" x 34"+, a very tattered wool flag, the original blue field sun-bleached to gray, sewn-on white stars in many cases very worn from the elements. The right edge of the flag is tattered and worn, clearly from use. Two brass grommets appear on the canvas hoist, which has been marked by hand in ink: "USS WILKES BARRE CL-103 1943-1946". The jack is accompanied by a framed set of eight miniature medals and a dog tag issued to "George Sherwood Allard" who served aboard the vessel from at least October, 1946. His medals, however, show wartime service and include a Purple Heart, Asiatic Campaign Medal, China Service Medal, World War II Medal, American Defense Medal, and Occupation Service Medal. Also present is a wall pennant with sewn letters: "USS WILKES BARRE", 32" x 13". From the age and condition of the flag, and if the dates that Allard placed on it are correct, this flag certainly would have been used aboard the WILKES BARRE during her wartime service. It was likely a launch flag, or may have been flown at the bow of the vessel. The wear and tear to this flag could not be contrived. The USS WILKES BARRE was a Cleveland-class light cruiser that served during the last year of World War II. Joining Task Force 38, she was active off Indochina and Luzon, and later supported the landing of the Marines on Iwo Jima and Okinawa with bombardment of shore strongholds and concerted anti-kamikaze fire. The ships Kingfisher aircraft also rescued many stranded American fliers. The vessel was especially conspicuous in its rescue of seamen trapped aboard the blazing carrier BUNKER HILL. On Nov. 16, 1945 the vessel put in at Tsingtao, which may explain how Allard received his China Service medal, and which would place him aboard the vessel a year earlier.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Shipments are sent via USPS Priority, USPS International Priority, DHL (for most overseas shipments) or FedEx Ground at the auctioneer's option, signature is always required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling and shipping charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyers should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. International shipments are invoiced by DIMENSIONAL weight, not the item weight. Please contact us for an estimate before bidding NOTE: Large, heavy or bulky items may not be shipped by the auctioneer - arrangements for shipping of these items via a third-party shipper may be arranged through the auction house. Customers who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee. Please allow 2-3 weeks for shipments after receipt of payment due to the high volume of packages being shipped.

April 17, 2018 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 28% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000