December 15, 2020 Edged Weapons, Armor & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/15/2020
Framed Russian flag that was captured during the Vietnam War by a US MACV Advisor. The flag was captured by T.H. Sayers, who was a MACV Advisor for the South Vietnamese 44th Ranger Battalion. During December 1968, the 44th Rangers were slowly clearing the U-Minh forest of Viet Cong resistance. After about a 3 week struggle on December 31, 1968, South Vietnamese forces accompanied by US Advisors were able to flush the Viet Cong forces out of the forest. During this last intense push to remove the Viet Cong, an American Captain by the name of James N. Rowe had recently escaped from a prison camp where he was held for 5 years between October 29, 1963 and December 31, 1968. Captain Rowe was part of the 5th Special Forces Group and was assigned as an advisor to South Vietnamese forces at the time of his capture. He was picked up by US helicopters that were supporting the 44th Rangers during the day this flag was captured. After Captain Rowe's rescue, Sayers and the Vietnamese Rangers were clearing out bunkers that were held by the Viet Cong. This Russian flag was obtained by Sayers after he finished clearing out an enemy occupied bunker. He brought this flag home as a souvenir from Vietnam and it has since been framed with a plaque which bears the story. The flag frame measures 68" x 90" and is accompanied by a framed note of provenance that was written by Sayers in 1996 that details the rescue of Captain Rowe and the fighting in the U-Minh forest. The framed note measures 14" x 28". CONDITION: The flag displays various stains and tears that are expected of a flag that was captured after a battle. There are scattered holes throughout the flag which were most likely a result of the firefight. The flag is said to retain stains from communist DNA that is present on all four corners. Overall good. This is a great capture flag with even better provenance. JD
This is not a standard shippable item and will require 3rd party shipping or pickup arrangements to be made.
Item Dimensions: 70" x 90"