Plaque for Vietnam War service presented to Major Colin L. Powell

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

A wooden plaque commemorating the Third Battalion, First Infantry Regiment, Major Colin L. Powell’s military unit in Vietnam, presented to Powell September 1969. This square medium wooden plaque features a four-point beveled front and two metal plates. The center and largest plate depicts the outline and list of cities in the country of Vietnam, tracing the activities of the U.S. military presence during the war. In large black text the plaque reads “THIRD BATTALION, FIRST INFANTRY” and “ALWAYS FIRST”. The United States Army 1st Infantry “SEMPER PRIMUS” Unit Crest is positioned parallel to the Vietnam map and features a red-white-and blue coat of arms on a golden oval with emblazoned shield and belt. A rectangular metal plate at the bottom of the plaque is engraved with the text “MAJOR COLIN L. POWELL / EXECUTIVE OFFICER 3RDBN 1STINF / JULY 1968 SEPT 1969”.

Explore Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture ↗