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Item Overview:
Item: Authentic 48-Star United States Flag
Era: World War I (1914–1918)
Historical Provenance: Named to Ora Hoysradt, mother of KIA Sergeant William Ostrander
Origin: Repatriation / Burial Flag***Purchased from an estate sale in Connecticut***Historical Provenance & Soldier Information:
This striking 48-star flag is deeply connected to the sacrifice of Sergeant William Ostrander, an American soldier who was tragically killed in action in France during World War I.
The flag\'s canvas hoist edge is distinctly marked in handwritten ink with the name \"ORA HOYSRADT\". Official World War I military casualty bulletins and archival records from Lakeville, Connecticut, confirm that Ora Hoysradt was Sergeant Ostrander\'s mother and his designated next of kin.
When the War Department arranged the repatriation of fallen soldiers’ remains from the battlefields of France back to the United States, burial flags and personal effects were meticulously tracked. Because Ora was listed as his primary contact, her name was inscribed on the canvas edge to ensure this flag was properly routed and presented to her upon its return stateside.The Last Name Discrepancy:
The difference in surnames between Sergeant William Ostrander and his mother, Ora Hoysradt, is due to remarriage. Following the end of her marriage to William’s father, Ora remarried and took the Hoysradt surname. This was a common occurrence in military casualty records of the era, where a fallen soldier’s next of kin was a mother who had since assumed a new married name.Physical Description & Condition:
This piece is an authentic, period-correct 48-star American flag—the official standard of the United States from 1912 to 1959. Design: Features the classic staggered star pattern. The stars are individually applied with prominent stitching, showcasing excellent period craftsmanship.
Hardware: The heavy canvas hoist retains its original brass grommets for securing the flag. Condition: The flag exhibits authentic wear consistent with its age, history, and transit. There is visible fraying, minor material loss, and a noticeable tear in the blue canton. The colors remain bold, and the crucial \"ORA HOYSRADT\" provenance on the hoist is highly legible.(Please refer to the high-resolution images to evaluate the stitching, patina, and exact physical condition before purchasing.)
