192. F.D.R.'S PERSONAL FLAG FROM THE USS BALTIMORE MEETING WITH MACARTHUR AND NIMITZ An historic relic from Franklin Roosevelt's 1944 meeting with Gen. Douglas MacArthur and Adm. Chester W. Nimitz, his personal flag which flew from the masthead of the heavy cruiser USS BALTIMORE during the conference held at Pearl Harbor in late July, 1944. The linen flag measures 82" x 57" overall, with an eagle clutching an olive branch and thirteen arrows, with thirteen small stars and moons above, with four large white stars at the corners, all sewn upon a dark blue background. The edge of the flag bears heavy cotton stitching with the original brass swivel at bottom and brass ring at top, with bold black stenciled marking upon the white edge: "PRESIDENT FLAG SET M[ARE] I[SLAND] [19]44". In July, 1944 and with Roosevelt aboard, the USS BALTIMORE sailed from the Mare Island Naval Base near San Francisco bound for Pearl Harbor where she arrived on or about July 26th. This would be the President's first and only visit to the Pacific theater of war, and he was determined to set a solid course for a quick and decisive end to the conflict. On the 26th, Roosevelt met with Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Adm. Chester W. Nimitz and Adm. William Leahy to plot strategy, and asked MacArthur: "Douglas, where do we go next?" Still seeking revenge for his ousting from Corregidor, MacArthur sought an attack on the Philippines, while Nimitz argued that the islands should be bypassed in favor of Formosa, an island from which American bombers could more easily attack mainland Japan. In the end, Roosevelt stood by his earlier promise to free the Philippines from their invaders, and MacArthur was chosen to head the invasion. During the entire conference, this flag flew from the vessel's highest mast, as would be the custom whenever the President was aboard. Indeed, a photo included in this lot shows that to be the cases. Following the meeting at Pearl Harbor, Roosevelt (and this flag) remained on board the cruiser, sailing to Alaska where he arrived on August 2, and where he departed the Baltimore a week later. There is a most interesting sidenote which must be mentioned. While at Pearl Harbor, Roosevelt noticed that the parked cars of Nimitz and MacArthur bore license plates which each had four stars, as did his flag. Of course, such would be unacceptable for the Commander-in-Chief, so he ordered this flag to be destroyed. Indeed, in 1945 Truman redesigned the Presidential Seal and flag, turning the eagle's head away from the war-like arrows and towards the olive branch and added 48 stars, more than enough to "outrank" any admiral or general! An astute Navy souvenir hunter claimed this flag before its destruction, and it was kept in storage before coming to light in 1990. With letter of provenance, numerous wartime photographs (reproductions) showing the Batimore, Roosevelt at the Pearl Harbor Conference and in Alaska, an image of the infamous 4-star license plates, and much descriptive material. A superb historic relic, in very fine condition. $10,000-12,000