The last American combat flag used in the Vietnam War, held by an Army officer who oversaw the final talks between North and South Vietnamese leaders, is heading to auction.
Army. Col. Chester Bailey McCoid took it with him when he became the last combat soldier to leave DaNang. He was a celebrated soldier who lied about his age to join the Army during World War II and he also served in the Korean War.
The auction from Alexander Historical Auctions is set for May 24-25, live and online, comes as President Obama is planning to be the first U.S. president since the end of the war to visit Vietnam.
Bill Panagopulos, president of Alexander, called the flag “a historic relic from a war which still stirs controversy at its very mention.” He expects it to sell for $10,000-$50,000.
From his online catalog description:
The flag is in excellent condition. This flag was returned to the U.S. By Colonel Chester Bailey McCoid (1923-2000) who 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 heading the American Element of the Four Party Military Commission (Region Two), overseeing American interests in negotiations between all parties to the conflict and the American withdrawal from Vietnam. On March 29, 1973 Col. McCoid left Vietnam, the last ground force soldier to serve in the field (outside Saigon) 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. The flag was obtained at an auction of McCoid’s estate by our consignor. McCoid was also recognized in Congress by 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 ground soldier to serve outside Saigon.
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected]
