This American flag, with 48 stars, flew over the headquarters of the 88th Infantry Division of the United States Army at Gondrecourt, France, from November 1918 to May 1919. The 88th was stationed in northeastern France after the Armistice, and while at Gondrecourt, they continued training, but also participated in competitive sports and entertainment. During their first few weeks at Gondrecourt, it rained almost continuously and the men marched daily in mud.

The flag belonged to Major Russell Rathbun, a Detroit Lakes native who entered the war at age 28. He later moved to Minneapolis and served as a brigadier general in the Minnesota National Guard during the Korean War.