Kriegsmarine Flag Signed by US Soldiers (1944–45)

This large naval ensign from Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine (approx. 200 × 335 cm) bears over 30 handwritten signatures from American soldiers, likely from Company M, 3rd Battalion, 359th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division, United States Army.

Full view of the signed Kriegsmarine flag, showing prominent repair patches and signature groupings.

Flag Description

• Size: approx. 200 × 335 cm (2:3.35)
• Material: Wool bunting with stitched black-white-red panels
• Marking: “Eagle over M” depot stamp (Kriegsmarine)
• Condition: Original field repairs, patches, some fading
• Likely exhibition or signal usage due to size

Signature Group & Identification

The flag is covered in ink signatures, with many names traceable to a single company-sized unit: Company M, 3rd Battalion, 359th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division. These men landed in Normandy, fought through France, and ended the war in Czechoslovakia.

Identified Signatories

• James Rowsey – SN 38517020
• Hubert Tyrrell – SN 38516894 (born 1925, died 1982)
• Alvin Cohen – SN 42079919 (oral history available)
• Louis Decell
• Owen S. Bingham
• Bert Machi – SN 38516877 (KIA or died 20 August 1945)
• ...and others (total over 30 names)

The presence of Bert Machi’s signature allows dating the flag’s signing to before August 20, 1945. The group was likely in occupation duty in Germany or Czechoslovakia when the flag was captured and signed.

Detail showing multiple soldier signatures in ink across the white disc and red field.

Additional Images

Size marking on canvas hoist edge and printed label: “Reichskriegsflagge”, indicating official naval use.

Period hand-sewn repair near the fly end of the flag, likely applied during Kriegsmarine service.

Fraying and wear along the canvas header near the rope thimble – consistent with hoisting use during service.

Close-up of machine-stitched period repair on the wool field, reinforcing wear from use or stress.

Alternate full view of the flag laid flat, showing scale and placement of signatures across the field.

Sources & References

• National Archives: WWII Enlistment Records (AAD)
• “Into The Dragon’s Teeth: 90th Infantry Division” by Dale E. Davis
• Alvin Cohen oral history interview, Rutgers University
• FlagGeek Blog Post (Feb 2024)

All research and documentation by the FlagGeek project. This page is part of a larger ongoing archive of documented historical flags and their provenance.