The Gold Star in our identity is derived from several symbologies, including the highest possible military rank (General), and the (also general) symbol -- a star -- usually gold -- to designate anyone in special prominence, as our Fathers are to us.

Most notably, during World War I, specifically in 1917, Army Captain Robert L. Queissner of the 5th Ohio Infantry designed and patented a simple flag with a blue star to indicate service to country -- and entered this into the Congressional Record of September 24, 1917.

Thrree days later, the American War Mothers organized in Indiana -- and quickly grew in other states, around the commonality of having a son or daughter in the service.

Throughout the war, these families displayed a flag with a blue star in their window. When World War I began claiming the lives of these young Americans, a new flag was developed -- and when a son or daughter was killed in action, a gold star was sewn over the blue one.

Thus, the gold star in the AWON identity has come to signify our Fathers lost.

In Their Memory