Artifact Friday: The 349th Field Artillery and a Captured Nazi Flag
This week’s Artifact Friday shines a light on a significant piece of history—a Nazi flag captured
and signed by members of the 349th Field Artillery. Though not currently on display, this artifact
is preserved in the museum archives as a powerful symbol of the bravery and contributions of
African American soldiers, particularly those who served during World War I. More than just a
battlefield memento, it represents their resilience, skill, and lasting impact on military history.
The 92nd Division’s 349th Field Artillery Regiment was one of the first predominantly Black
artillery units in the U.S. Army. Despite serving in a segregated military, these soldiers
demonstrated their effectiveness in combat. The U.S. Army established two Black combat
divisions during World War I—the 92nd and 93rd. While the 93rd, including the legendary
“Harlem Hellfighters,” fought under French command, the 92nd, which included the 349th Field
Artillery, served under the U.S. Army and made significant contributions on the Western Front.
The 349th was part of the 167th Artillery Brigade, the first motorized artillery brigade of its kind.
After arriving in France in June 1918, they were quickly in action by October, supporting major
infantry raids. Just before the war’s end, they helped push the Second Army toward Metz,
underscoring their combat effectiveness.
One awesome Arkansan was Woodrow W. Crockett. He kicked off his military journey by
signing up for the 349th Field Artillery, then switched gears and headed to the Tuskegee
Institute in the 1940s to train as a pilot. He was the second person from Arkansas to graduate
from the Tuskegee cadet program. Crockett went on to serve for 28 years and was inducted into
the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame in 1995. In 1992, he made history by being the first African
American elected to the Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame. In 2007, he and the other Tuskegee
Airmen got the Congressional Gold Medal, which is one of the biggest honors you can receive
as a civilian in the U.S. Crockett passed away on August 16, 2012, and was buried with honors
at Arlington National Cemetery. His World War II flight suit is on display at the National Museum
of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.
The captured Nazi flag is more than just an artifact; it’s a reminder of the courage and enduring
legacy of the 349th Field Artillery and African American soldiers in general. Although it remains
in the museum archives, its story continues to inspire and highlight the essential role these
soldiers played in shaping history.
This Artifact Friday post is brought to you by Elijah Owens-Hamilton, a teen member of the
Northwest Arkansas Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. The chapter’s Teen Auxiliary
Group has collaborated with the Arkansas Air and Military Museum to host the Black Flight:
Celebrating the Tuskegee Airmen and African Americans in Aviation exhibit. Be sure to visit
today and explore the rich history of African Americans in aviation and the military!
[Photo credit: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and
Culture, Gift of Lt. Col. Woodrow W. Crockett; Smithsonian]
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