Nation Overseas

Exhibit Information
  • Clock60 minutes
  • agesApproved for all ages
  • calendarPermanent Exhibit
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Entering The World Stage

1898-1918
The Nation Overseas Gallery explores the Army‘s first venture onto the world stage. Operations in China and the Spanish-American War are exhibited, as are the Army’s operations along the Mexican-American border. The remainder of the exhibit focuses on the Army’s role in World War I and the changing face of warfare. Visitors also encounter an immersive exhibit, portraying the Army’s advance during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive which prominently features the FT-17 Renault “Five of Hearts” Tank.

Artifact Highlights

Unique Artifact

Military Barbed Wire -This heavy-duty barbed wire was widely used to construct obstacles and entanglements to slow and stop infantry assaults.

Unique Artifact

Gas Alarm -This rotary wooden rattle was used to alert troops to the presence of poison gas.

Unique Artifact

German 08/15 Machine Gun -This is the standard German machine gun of World War I. Operated by a crew of four, it could fire up to 400 rounds of 7.62 mm. ammunition per minute at ranges up to 3,500 meters.

Unique Artifact

Steel Helmet, Model 1917 -Brothers Frank, Paul, and George Myers each served in a different division in World War I. This helmet, marked with the insignia of the 2nd Infantry Division, belonged to George.

Unique Artifact

Homing Pigeon “Mocker” -“Mocker,” a Signal Corps homing pigeon, flew 52 missions before he was wounded severely while carrying an important message at Saint-Mihiel, France, in September 1918.

Unique Artifact

Chinese Boxer Flag -Lt. Louis Burgess, Battery D, 5th U.S. Artillery, captured this flag at Beijing during the China Relief Expedition in 1900.

“I am up at the front line now, and I tell you sister, it is not an easy life dodging these cannon balls.”

Pvt. Richard S. Phillips

Soldier Profiles

Soldier Profiles
Sigurd Sandburg

On July 15, 1918, Sandburg’s regiment, the 38th Infantry, successfully held a position 200 yards…

Soldier Profiles
Theodore C. Banks

Theodore Banks served in a segregated pioneer infantry regiment with African American enlisted men and…

Soldier Profiles
The Myers Brothers

For the Myers brothers, World War I was a family affair. All three were Soldiers,…

Soldier Profiles
Capt. Paul E. Kittredge

Captain Kittredge served in the 26th “Yankee Division.” Killed by shellfire in the Argonne Forest…

Soldier Profiles
Sgt. William S. Triplet

In 1917, when the superintendent of schools offered a high school diploma to any student…