December 10, 2019 Edged Weapon, Armor & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2019
Flag measures 5' X 9'6" and is constructed of multi-piece wool bunting with 48 applied stars. The white cotton heading displays two brass grommets and is stamped "5 X 9'6". The flag is stenciled on three white stripes "CAPT. POWELL M. RHEA USN / USS NEVADA BB-36 UTAH 4th. INF. DIV. / OMAHA BEACH JUNE. 6, 1944 1ST INF. DIV." The Nevada was present when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and was the only battleship to get underway during the attack. Hit by one torpedo and at least six bombs while steaming from Battleship Row, her crew was forced to beach the stricken ship on a coral ledge. Nevada was subsequently salvaged and modernized at Puget Sound Navy Yard, allowing her to serve as a convoy escort in the Atlantic and as a fire-support ship in five amphibious assaults (the invasions of Attu, Normandy, Southern France, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa). During the Normandy invasion, Nevada supported forces ashore from 6–17 June, 1944, and again on 25 June. Shells from her guns ranged as far as 20 miles inland in attempts to break up German concentrations and counterattacks, even though she was straddled by counterbattery fire 27 times. Nevada was later praised for her "incredibly accurate" fire in support of the invasion troops, as some of the targets she hit were just 600 yards from the front line. Nevada was the only battleship present at both Pearl Harbor and the Normandy landings. Captain Powell M. Rhea commanded the Nevada from July 21, 1943 to October 4, 1944. CONDITION: Very good with fading to the blue canton and scattered holes.
Condition: Very Good