Name/Title
Blue Star Service BannerEntry/Object ID
M.0171Description
Flag with a red background and a white rectangle containing 42 blue stars.Context
Displaying Blue Star Service Banners came into practice in 1917 during World War 1. The banner was made up of one or more blue stars sewn on a white field with a red border. Each blue star represented a loved one who was serving in the military. A red star represented a wounded soldier and a Gold Star represented a soldier killed in action.
Toward the end of World War 2, the U.S. Department of War officially adopted the banner and created specifications and guidelines. One of these was that it could include up to 5 stars.
This banner has 42 blue stars and is missing at least 2. This was most likely a community service banner made early during WW2.