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American Flag 48 Stars, 26" x 50", Wool. "U.S. Ensign No. 11 Mare Island Apr. 1XXX" (1941-1943)

Currency:CAD Category:Firearms & Military / Miscellaneous - Flags Start Price:100.00 CAD Estimated At:500.00 - 10,000.00 CAD
American Flag 48 Stars, 26  x 50 , Wool.  U.S. Ensign No. 11 Mare Island Apr. 1XXX  (1941-1943)
The Americana, letters, and ephemera listed in this auction come directly from the estate of the nephew of the late Paul C. Smith (1908-1976). They have never before been offered to the public.

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American Flag 48 Stars, Ensign, 26" x 50", Wool. "U.S. Ensign No. 11 Mare Island Apr. 1XXX" (1941-1943)

From the Estate of Paul C. Smith (1908-1976), presumably brought home from a distinguished combat career in the Pacific Theatre of WWII.

Paul C. Smith began the war as a Lieutenant Commander in charge of the Navy Press section under Admiral Hepburn in Washington DC. He was ordered to action on December 7, 1941 the day of the Attack on Pearl Harbor. In August 1942 the Navy ordered Smith to detached duty as OWI's Acting Director of Domestic Operations. Ten weeks later, at age 34, he resigned his commission as Lieutenant Commander, enlisted in the Marines as a private, and left Washington for "boot" training at Parris Island, North Carolina.

In January 1943, while a Marine private, Paul C. Smith was named "Outstanding young man of the year" by the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce. He graduated as a Second Lieutenant in July 1943, and went overseas the same year. Smith and his rifle platoon saw action on Bougainville in late 1943. In early 1944 he saw patrol action in the Solomons, and in mid-July he led his platoon of riflemen onto the beaches of Guam in the first personnel wave. Smith and platoon remained in action on Guam until mid-October. Late in 1944, while still on Guam, Smith received orders to fly to Washington to assume new duties as a Navy Commander.

Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal ordered Commander Smith to immediate sea duty on the staff of Admiral Mitscher's First Carrier Task Force for the winter carrier raids on Japan's home islands and in support of the invasion of Iwo Jima. He was recalled to Guam in March 1945 and assigned to the staff of Admiral Turner for the invasion of Okinawa and other Ryuku Islands. The day after VJ Day, Commander Paul C. Smith was ordered to Admiral Spruance's Fifth Fleet staff for occupation duty at Tokyo, and on November 6 was back in his office at the San Francisco Chronicle wearing civilian clothes again.

Smith's World War II military decorations included the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit with combat "V", the Bronze Star, the Navy Commendation Citation and two Presidential Unit Citations.

The Stars and Stripes reported on May 30, 1946:

"Editor Receives Silver Star
SAN FRANCISCO, May 29 (UP)—

Secretary of the Navy James V. Forrestal highlighted his inspection tour of San Francisco naval installations by personally presenting the Silver Star to Paul C. Smith, editor and general manager of the San Francisco Chronicle. Smith was decorated for "bravery on Guam where he commanded a rifle platoon in the 3rd Marine Div."