Acquisitions from previous years
The Museum wishes to personally thank each of its supporters who have donated or loaned items in the past. The Museum appreciates and values your continued support.
2007 acquisitions
June
World War II Croix de Guerre
Date: 25 July 1945
Donated By: Edith Hansen
Included in this donation are the original citation and uniform ribbon.
This World War II Croix de Guerre was awarded to Captain Grant V.
Hansen for exceptional service during the liberation of France. The Croix
de Guerre was instituted in 1915 and was awarded to soldiers and sailors
of all ranks in the French and allied forces for individual feats of arms
mentioned in dispatches by the commanding officer of any unit from an Army
down to a regiment. The World War II version of the medal differs from the
World War I version in two ways. The color of the ribbons were changed
from red and black velvet ribbon in WWI to green and red ribbon in WWII.
The
back
of the medals have a date engraved, which reads either 1914-1918 or 1939.
Towards the end of the war, some World War II versions given have the
older medal attached to the new ribbon.
The citation reads in English, "Campaigns for the Liberation of France,
June-December 1944, Dec. N0 972.
General de Gaulle, President of the provisional Government of the Republic
of France
Cites to the order of the Division-Captain Grant V. Hansen
'For exceptional war services rendered in the course of operations for the
liberation of France.'”
May
LP of General of the Army-Douglas A. MacArthur,
congressional speech
Date: April 19, 1951
Donated By: Ron Fuller
The donated LP contains a recording of General Douglas A. MacArthur’s farewell speech to congress after President Harry Truman relieved him of duty during the Korean Conflict. MacArthur’s congressional speech lives in infamy and the words can still be heard today. The ensuing controversy over military versus presidential control during times of war still lingers today. To learn more about this event in history, visit the exhibit Conflict and Crisis: The MacArthur-Truman Controversy. You may also be a part of the debate that never took place between MacArthur and Truman at the Museum’s fundraiser in October. View more information about the fundraiser event.
View text of the congressional speech of General Douglas MacArthur.
April
1890 M1871 Dutch Beaumont, Type 2 (Geweer Klein
Kaliber)
Date: 1890
Comes from a designer in Maastricht, Denmark
Donated By: Jewell William Riley
The M1871 Dutch Beaumont is a bolt action rifle, with a major distinguishing feature--the mainspring arrangement is housed inside a large, bulbous two-piece bolt handle. The rifle was designed by a Dutch engineer from Maastricht, from whom it gets its name. The Beaumont was one of the first major European metallic cartridge rifles and also one of the last, remaining in service after the gun was modified to a repeater (M1871/88 Beaumont-Vitali) at the turn of the century. The version donated to the Museum is a type 2, because it does not have the safety located on the right side of the bolt guide. The weapon also contains other regimental markings on the butt and bolt. The weapon is not currently on display.
March
Wings Cigarette card collection; 151 trading cards
Year: 1935
Donor/Loan: Mr. Robert Griffin
This Wings Cigarette card collection consists of 151 cards of three different series. The cards were packaged in Wings Cigarettes a brand sold by Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation. The cigarettes were introduced to Americans during the depression. The cigarettes cost consumers only ten cents and so were considered an economy brand. These cigarettes were also sold overseas in Europe. The trading cards encouraged the continued purchase of the cigarettes by avid collectors. This collection of trading cards features military and civilian aviation and was collected in 1935 by Sgt. James T. Griffin, US Army Air Force during World War II. Sgt. Griffin was stationed in Naples, Italy, as a med-evac aircraft radio operator. The cards were kept by the family as a treasured heirloom. Wings Cigarette Company also made other trading card series. For more information, watch for a Web exhibit featuring these cards soon.
February
Pyramid of Honor—93 service medals and awards from World War I and
beyond
Donated or loaned by: the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History,
Paul Anderson, Larry Carpenter, Ron Fuller, Gary Enzor, Martha Lacy, James
R. Marshvwki, Edwin Herron, Marion Schultz, Loretta Burns-Knighten, John
Fordyce III, Dewey Watson, Sherry Meyer (Bennett’s Military Surplus),
Charles Kinslow, Tish Miller, Gilbert Collier, Sue Whiddon.
Currently on display in the “By the President in the Name of Congress:
Arkansas Medal of Honor Recipients” exhibit.
The awards system in the United States military has evolved into a structured program often called the “Pyramid of Honor.” The prestigious Medals of Honor are located at the top of the pyramid. Subsequent medals are ranked below designed to reward service ranging from heroism on the battlefield to superior performance of noncombatant duties. Our featured donation is a collection of military awards and service medals that make up the ninety-three medals within the Pyramid of Honor.
The system of specifically-tailored awards is popular in the all-volunteer armed forces and plays a significant role in enhancing morale. These awards paint a vivid portrait of our country’s dedication to the ideals of freedom and the sacrifices required of the military to support those ideals.
There are two general categories of medals awarded by the United States to its military personnel—decorations and service medals. Decorations are awarded for acts of valor and meritorious service, while service medals are given for participation in specific battles or campaigns. Using the word "medal" in the name of some decorations, such as the Medal of Honor, can cause confusion to the novice. In general, decorations are traditionally in the shape of a star, cross, hexagon, or similar heraldic configuration. Although a small number of decorations are round, the circular shape is used almost exclusively for service medals.
Learn more about the Pyramid of Honor on the Home of Heroes Web site.
January
David O. Dodd Memorial Medal
Manufactured By: Bastian Bros. Co, Rochester NY
Donated By: Dr. Nolan Simmons
Dimensions: 1 ˝ diameter
The medal reads David O. Dodd Memorial Fund. David O. Dodd, 61-64. There is no other information stamped on the medal except the manufacturer's information. It is possibly from a fundraiser for the marker out back behind the Museum or for the stained glass window procured by the Daughters of the Confederacy. View more information about David O. Dodd.
2006 acquisitions
Hand sketched Czechoslovakian postcards depicting U.S. soldiers during World War II.
Donated by Richard Boosey of Mt. Vernon, Arkansas.
