Rare 1951 Welcome Home Gen Douglas MacArthur Historic WWII Soldier Felt Pennant For Sale

On April 19, 1951, General Douglas MacArthur — just fired by President Truman for insubordination during the Korean War — addressed a joint session of Congress and closed with words that became immediately iconic: “Old soldiers never die, they just fade away.” Days later, New York City gave him one of the largest ticker-tape parades in its history. This pennant was made for that homecoming.

Dark olive felt with cream printing — a deliberately military palette unlike any standard political pennant. MacArthur’s portrait in full dress uniform with five-star cap and US insignia, row of stars below. “Welcome Home / General Douglas MacArthur / Our Hero — A Soldier Never Dies” in bold display lettering. Approximately 28” x 11.”

A crease runs through the portrait with associated ink loss along the fold line; no tassels at the staff end. Text and surrounding design clean and fully legible. One of the more historically specific and visually distinctive pieces in the political pennant genre.

From the collection of Dr. Goodman Basil Espy, an Atlanta physician and lifelong collector whose holdings were offered at Christie’s.