American Gold star mothers member card

Date

• 1946

Summary

• This membership card for American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. was issued to a Manitowoc woman, Linda Jaeger, when the Manitowoc County chapter was established in 1946. Her son, Milton Jaeger, had been killed in action in 1944. The 4.25" x 2.5" card bears the signatures of the national president and treasurer as well as the local chapter president and treasurer. American Gold Star Mothers was incorporated in 1929 as an organization for women who had lost a son or daughter in World War I. In 1941 membership was opened to mothers who had lost a son or daughter in World War II. The "gold star" reference alludes to service flags which many families displayed, on which there would be a blue star for each living family member serving in the armed forces, and a gold star for each member who had died in service.