A superb, historic grouping of material from the liberation of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge, obtained from the estate of Chaplain Kent Morehouse Dale (1908-1971) of the 86th Armored Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Armored Division. Dale's squadron was rushed from Metz to relieve besieged Bastogne and his squadron initially took heavy losses as it was thrown back by fierce German resistance east and just south of Bastogne during the first week in January, 1945. It was at this time that Dale was able to make his way into Bastogne and held religious services in the still-besieged city. While there, he recovered the flag offered here, a black, yellow and red Belgian national flag, approx. 70 x 85 in. with a fringe about three sides and a pole pocket along the hoist. A vintage cardboard label is affixed to one corner of the flag bearing the typed description: 'LOANED TO THE D.A.V. BY KENT DALE. THIS IS A BELGIAN FLAG LIBERATED IN BASTOGNE, BELGIAN [sic] IN DEC, 1944'. The flag may have actually been given to Dale by a grateful citizenry or soldiers or may have been taken by Dale himself, but in any event, it was in Bastogne as the city struggled against German occupation. The flag is accompanied by some of Dale's uniform and other accessories from during the war. These include: Dale's military helmet, swivel bail with liner, bearing a later 2nd Armored Division insignia applied to front, above his second lieutenant's bars, named to Dale; his three officer's garrison caps (two beige, one brown), all named to Dale; his Belgian Croix de Guerre lanyard; and his ditty bag, about 18 in. deep and possibly used to contain his religious gear, again named to Dale, also bearing his serial number and an inked cross. Major Kent Morehouse Dale's ribbon bar (not present) denotes a Bronze Star, Purple Heart and five stars on his ETO ribbon, and a limited emergency ribbon denotes service prior to the outbreak of the war. Dale had prior service in the Army as an enlisted man and after seminary school he received a commission as a second lieutenant. A historic, important grouping.