This 48-star American flag was presented by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson to members of the Lafayette Escadrille, a French Air Service squadron manned primarily by American volunteer pilots during World War I. The unit was named to honor the Marquis de Lafayette, hero of the American and French revolutions.
This flag was donated by Frederick H. Prince, who flew with the Lafayette Escadrille during the conflict. His brother, Norman Prince, was a leading founder of the squadron and flew with it until his death in a crash in October 1916.
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.