Dr. Frank Blazich, Jr.
@milhistcurator.bsky.social
Curator @ National Museum of American History; National Historian Emeritus @ Civil Air Patrol; Secretary @ Air Force Historical Foundation; curator/historian, father/husband, lover of birds (pigeons especially).
Two dog harnesses/collars. One for the famed Sergeant Stubby, and the one for a the dachshund of Kaiser Whilhelm II. Both still have their tax tags attached, fittingly enough.
September 30, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Two dog harnesses/collars. One for the famed Sergeant Stubby, and the one for a the dachshund of Kaiser Whilhelm II. Both still have their tax tags attached, fittingly enough.
This is the Butler Medal, 1 of 197 examples privately funded by Maj Gen Benjamin Butler to recognize distinguished courage by the U.S. Colored Troops. The engraver of this medal, Anthony Paquet, also engraved the Medal of Honor. The motto translates to “Freedom will come to them by the sword."
March 28, 2025 at 2:36 AM
This is the Butler Medal, 1 of 197 examples privately funded by Maj Gen Benjamin Butler to recognize distinguished courage by the U.S. Colored Troops. The engraver of this medal, Anthony Paquet, also engraved the Medal of Honor. The motto translates to “Freedom will come to them by the sword."
For National Medal of Honor Day, I offer some amazing items. On the left is a silver prototype of the the Navy MOH delivered to the Navy Department on 1 Oct 1862. This is the oldest extant example of the medal which exists today. (Pt 1)
March 25, 2025 at 11:50 AM
For National Medal of Honor Day, I offer some amazing items. On the left is a silver prototype of the the Navy MOH delivered to the Navy Department on 1 Oct 1862. This is the oldest extant example of the medal which exists today. (Pt 1)
I let the conservators borrow the hero pigeons for condition assessment and the next thing I know the birds are out getting their photos taken. Yeesh!
March 19, 2025 at 1:02 AM
I let the conservators borrow the hero pigeons for condition assessment and the next thing I know the birds are out getting their photos taken. Yeesh!
A fun comparison of Cher Ami's breastbone with the 3D printed replica. Rather remarkable to see the technology at work & the finished project.
March 3, 2025 at 6:38 PM
A fun comparison of Cher Ami's breastbone with the 3D printed replica. Rather remarkable to see the technology at work & the finished project.
Got to work with a super rare Medal of Honor (Tiffany Cross) then saw something else which has me flabbergasted.
These are Civil War type 1 Navy Medals of Honor. Note the actual medal... one of these is silver & most likely a prototype of what became the bronze medal.
These are Civil War type 1 Navy Medals of Honor. Note the actual medal... one of these is silver & most likely a prototype of what became the bronze medal.
March 3, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Got to work with a super rare Medal of Honor (Tiffany Cross) then saw something else which has me flabbergasted.
These are Civil War type 1 Navy Medals of Honor. Note the actual medal... one of these is silver & most likely a prototype of what became the bronze medal.
These are Civil War type 1 Navy Medals of Honor. Note the actual medal... one of these is silver & most likely a prototype of what became the bronze medal.
Behold, the 3D printed Cher Ami breastbone, in original and enlarged size!
February 23, 2025 at 1:51 AM
Behold, the 3D printed Cher Ami breastbone, in original and enlarged size!
Now cataloged, I recently collected the uniform shirt, Purple Heart, Air Force Commendation Medal, & other insignia from the late USAF TSgt Leonard P. Matlovich. In 1975, he became the first service member to come out as homosexual, launching the effort to allow all homosexuals to serve openly.
February 5, 2025 at 12:23 AM
Now cataloged, I recently collected the uniform shirt, Purple Heart, Air Force Commendation Medal, & other insignia from the late USAF TSgt Leonard P. Matlovich. In 1975, he became the first service member to come out as homosexual, launching the effort to allow all homosexuals to serve openly.
I have the full 3D rendering files of Cher Ami's breastbone should anyone wish to print one at home. Just ask and I can send you a link to them.
January 28, 2025 at 3:10 AM
I have the full 3D rendering files of Cher Ami's breastbone should anyone wish to print one at home. Just ask and I can send you a link to them.
Since Cher Ami's actual breastbone is FAR too fragile to display, the museum had it 3D scanned & these are some of the first renderings. You can clearly see where a bullet or shell fragment hit the pigeon and then began to slowly heal up. The hole is approximately the size of a dime.
January 24, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Since Cher Ami's actual breastbone is FAR too fragile to display, the museum had it 3D scanned & these are some of the first renderings. You can clearly see where a bullet or shell fragment hit the pigeon and then began to slowly heal up. The hole is approximately the size of a dime.
Artifact of the day is this set of custom shoulder straps worn by General William Tecumseh Sherman during his tenure as Commanding General of the United States Army from 1869-1883. The design is distinctive to Sherman and I am not aware of another pair of these in a museum (speak up if otherwise!).
January 22, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Artifact of the day is this set of custom shoulder straps worn by General William Tecumseh Sherman during his tenure as Commanding General of the United States Army from 1869-1883. The design is distinctive to Sherman and I am not aware of another pair of these in a museum (speak up if otherwise!).
My building is surrounded by fencing on the National Mall. Let freedom ring... indeed.
January 16, 2025 at 3:27 AM
My building is surrounded by fencing on the National Mall. Let freedom ring... indeed.
Artifacts of the day is a picture of a just a few Congressional Gold Medals. Each box is an individual actual solid gold medal. Nine so far and more to come.
January 13, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Artifacts of the day is a picture of a just a few Congressional Gold Medals. Each box is an individual actual solid gold medal. Nine so far and more to come.
Pigeons rule
January 13, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Pigeons rule
My cards have arrived. Care to promote tolerance and care for the less fortunate in this chaotic world? Read more about the order and consider applying: stjoachimorder.org
January 13, 2025 at 3:11 AM
My cards have arrived. Care to promote tolerance and care for the less fortunate in this chaotic world? Read more about the order and consider applying: stjoachimorder.org
Artifact of the Day is this letter to Medal of Honor recipient George G. Moore inviting him to attend the internment of the World War I American Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.
January 11, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Artifact of the Day is this letter to Medal of Honor recipient George G. Moore inviting him to attend the internment of the World War I American Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.
Artifact of the day is this original document announcing the Armistice of 11 November 1918. Otherwise known as cool things I find in storage while looking for OTHER cool things!
January 10, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Artifact of the day is this original document announcing the Armistice of 11 November 1918. Otherwise known as cool things I find in storage while looking for OTHER cool things!
Artifact of the day are these images from four years ago. The actual item was smashed by a forklift and junked an hour or so after I took these images. No amount of spin can remove the sordid nature of this writing.
January 7, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Artifact of the day are these images from four years ago. The actual item was smashed by a forklift and junked an hour or so after I took these images. No amount of spin can remove the sordid nature of this writing.
Artifacts of the day speak for themselves. I picked this material up on 7 January 2021.
January 7, 2025 at 1:56 AM
Artifacts of the day speak for themselves. I picked this material up on 7 January 2021.
Artifact of the Day is this unique medal presented by MD Gov Lloyd Lowndes to Rear Admiral Winfield Scott Schley on 28 Feb 1899. Made in 2 months by Samuel Kirk & Sons jewelers of Baltimore, the medal is gold, the swords platinum, and there were originally 320 diamonds in the medal.
December 28, 2024 at 3:38 PM
Artifact of the Day is this unique medal presented by MD Gov Lloyd Lowndes to Rear Admiral Winfield Scott Schley on 28 Feb 1899. Made in 2 months by Samuel Kirk & Sons jewelers of Baltimore, the medal is gold, the swords platinum, and there were originally 320 diamonds in the medal.
Artifacts of the Day are these documents and photographs of Donald Ley Hein. To better understand his story, please click this link: americanhistory.si.edu/explore/stor...
Remember him. Remember all of them.
Remember him. Remember all of them.
December 27, 2024 at 2:44 PM
Artifacts of the Day are these documents and photographs of Donald Ley Hein. To better understand his story, please click this link: americanhistory.si.edu/explore/stor...
Remember him. Remember all of them.
Remember him. Remember all of them.
Artifact of the day is this is incredible inkwell I received for Christmas honoring Le Valliant, the last pigeon to leave Fort Vaux prior to its surrender to the Germans during the Battle of Verdun.
December 25, 2024 at 10:21 PM
Artifact of the day is this is incredible inkwell I received for Christmas honoring Le Valliant, the last pigeon to leave Fort Vaux prior to its surrender to the Germans during the Battle of Verdun.
Belated Artifact of the Day is this American flag given by the residents of the province of Dauphine, France to the US Consul in December 1917 as a gift to the U.S. Army and General John J. Pershing.
December 24, 2024 at 10:25 PM
Belated Artifact of the Day is this American flag given by the residents of the province of Dauphine, France to the US Consul in December 1917 as a gift to the U.S. Army and General John J. Pershing.