This is a massive and desirable World War II U.S. 48-star ensign that was flown from the U.S. navy cruiser, USS Tuscaloosa during its service. The Tuscaloosa, a New Orleans-class cruiser, had its keel laid on 3 September 1931 in Camden, New Jersey and was built by New York Shipbuilding Co. She was commissioned on 17 August 1934, with captain John N. Ferguson in command. From 1939-1940, Tuscaloosa spent most of its time on "Neutrality Patrol" as well as shuttling President Roosevelt around the Caribbean inspecting bases acquired from the British in exchange for aged destroyers. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and subsequent declarations of war by Germany and Italy, Tuscaloosa was transferred to serve with the British Home Fleet, based in Scapa Flow, Scotland. From there the ship took part in training exercises and escort missions to Northern Russia, as well as efforts to lure out the German battleship Tirpitz from its Norwegian hideout. From November 1942, it took part in Operation Torch, the invasion to liberate Morocco from the Vichy French, before returning to the eastern waters of the U.S. for overhaul and replenishment in early 1943. From the summer until the fall of 1943, Tuscaloosa returned to service with the British Home Fleet, and then returned to New York in December 1943 to begin a major overhaul. The overhaul was complete in February 1944, with Tuscaloosa returning to station near Britain. On 3 June 1944 the ship steamed towards Normandy with Task Force 125. At around 6 a.m. on 6 June, the ship opened fire with its 8 and 5 inch guns, targeting Fort Ile de Tatihou in support of the D-Day invasion. From August to September 1944, the ship supported allied efforts in Southern France with targeted shore bombardment, before returning to the eastern U.S. for refitting, and then heading through the Panama Canal to the Caroline Islands, joining U.S. 3rd Fleet in the fight against the Japanese. In February 1945, Tuscaloosa was part of the bombardment group supporting the invasion of Iwo Jima and was on station for the entire campaign, taking only six days to refit and resupply for the Okinawa campaign. The Tuscaloosa supported nearly the entire Okinawa campaign with targets fire from her main guns while also dealing with heavy attacks by Japanese kamikaze aircraft, managing to come out unscathed. In February of 1946, the shipped was placed out of commission and in reserve until 1959 when she was sold for scrap. The flag itself was made by Annin High Grade and measures approximately 60 x 114 inches. It has 48 appliqué stars, stripes that are sewn on, and the header having two grommets. One side of the hoist has the maker's mark while the other is faintly hand marked "USNS Tuscaloosa (CA-37)". Includes a Flag Heritage Foundation inventory form. The USS Tuscaloosa was Admiral Morton L. Deyo's flagship during the D-Day invasion. See the previous lot for artifacts belonging to Deyo. Provenance: The Dr. Clarence Rungee Collection; The Saloga Collection

Fine overall as used during wartime, with some mild staining and wear, some minor tearing/fraying at each corner of the fly, and a few scattered minor holes/absent pieces in the area of the canton. This historic World War II flag from the USS Tuscaloosa would make an excellent centerpiece for a U.S. military collection!