The Last American Combat Flag From Vietnam to Be Auctioned

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May 18, 2016, 08:45 ET

CHESAPEAKE CITY, Md., May 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- A startling relic of a desperate war, the last American combat flag used in the Vietnam War will be offered for sale by Maryland auction house Alexander Historical Auctions (www.historyauctioneer.com) in the firm's May 24-25 live and online auction, along with over one thousand other historic letters, documents, and relics.

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The 52" x 34" two-sided flag was evacuated from DaNang on March 29, 1973 by U.S. Army Col. Chester Bailey McCoid (1923-2000). McCoid had a life-long and very distinguished career with the 82nd and 101st Airborne. Wounded before even leaving his aircraft on D-Day, he nevertheless parachuted with his men to fulfill his mission. He later served in Korea, as an exchange officer with the Navy, and on the General Staff at the Pentagon before being posted to Vietnam in 1966 where he would ultimately spend 51 months over three tours. He would command 101st Airborne airmobile cavalry and advise generals before leading the American Element of the Four Party Military Commission (Region Two) which oversaw American interests in negotiations between the parties to the conflict, and the American withdrawal from Vietnam.

On March 29, 1973 Col. McCoid left Vietnam, the last American ground force soldier to serve in the field in that country. The flag offered here is the flag taken by McCoid from his field headquarters in DaNang following the final negotiating session of the war and it had remained in his family until last year. McCoid was acknowledged in Congress in speeches entered into the record by Rep. Ike Skelton of Missouri and Rep. Sam Gejdenson of Connecticut, both of whom confirmed that McCoid was the last American ground soldier to serve in the field in Vietnam.

In his long military career, McCoid was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star, five Legions of Merit, five Bronze Stars, and two Purple Hearts. He was also twice decorated by France and eight times by the Republic of Vietnam. Included with the flag are two of the award documents presented to McCoid by South Vietnam president Nguyen Van Thieu.

The auction house has been known to offer other important historical items, including Franklin Roosevelt's inaugural top hat, a watch given by Marilyn Monroe to John F. Kennedy, Al Capone's pistol, Adolf Hitler's copy of "Mein Kampf" and Dwight Eisenhower's four-star general's helmet.

Other important lots in the current sale include:

Charlie Chaplin's screen-used bamboo cane, given to fellow silent film star Gloria Swanson.
Original photographs of the presidential motorcade in Dallas, November 22, 1963, taken moments before the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
A handwritten and signed letter from President Franklin D. Roosevelt asking that the daughter of his mistress be given a leave from her government job.
A signed letter from Jimi Hendrix taking a $2,500 advance so that he could celebrate his (last) birthday with the Rolling Stones.

Bidding will be available live, by telephone, and at the bidding websites invaluable.com and liveauctioneers.com, which allow bidders around the world to submit offers in real time as the auction progresses.

The auction house may be contacted at: [email protected], telephone 203-276-1570.

Media Contact:

Bill Panagopulos
203-276-1570
Email

SOURCE Alexander Historical Auctions LLC