09/05/2026
This evening we received a very nice World War II-era Blue Star Mothers wool hat. This example was worn by a member of Unit #1 in Akron, Ohio. Unfortunately the hat isn't named.
Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. (BSMA), is a private nonprofit organization that provides support for mothers who have sons or daughters in active service in the U.S. Armed Forces. The name came from the custom of families of servicemen hanging a banner called a Service Flag in a window of their homes. The Service Flag had a star for each family member in the military. Living servicemen were represented by a Blue Star and those who had lost their lives were represented by a Gold Star. The blue star flag was designed and patented by World War I Army Captain Robert Queissner of the 5th Ohio Infantry, who had two sons serving on the front line. This flag quickly became the unofficial symbol of a family member in service.
Retired Army Capt. George H. Maines conceived the idea for the Blue Star Mothers after a conversation with General John Pershing. He ran a newspaper article in the Flint News Advertiser on January 22, 1942. A coupon was included in the article and for each one returned, the mother received a blue star, one for each child overseas. More than 1,000 mothers responded. On February 1, 1942 their first meeting was held and 300 mothers attended and the Blue Star Mothers of America was formed. This meeting was reported in the Flint Journal on February 2, 1942. That same year, chapters quickly formed in California, Iowa, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Wisconsin. However, it wasn't until 1960 that BSMA received a federal charter under Title 36, United States Code.
The Blue Star Mothers' original goals were to bring their sons home, to ensure they received the benefits they deserved, help service members' families, help each other and to be there if something happened.
The largest family of the Blue Star Mothers belonged to Nick and Anna Matthees of rural Goddhue, Minnesota who sent 7 sons (3 Army, 2 Navy, and 2 Army Air Force) to serve during World War II. All 7 survived.
Until 2011, membership in the Blue Star Mothers was open to any woman living in America who has a son or daughter (and in some cases, stepchildren) in the United States Armed Forces, or who has had a son or daughter in the U.S. Armed Forces who was honorably discharged.
At the National Convention held August 2010 members passed a resolution changing membership eligibility. Signed into law December 13, 2011, it expanded membership opportunities for grandmothers, adoptive mothers, foster mothers, and female legal guardians. The law also expands membership to mothers whose children have served more recently by removing references to specific conflicts. It also expands membership to eligible mothers living outside of the U.S.
Blue Star Fathers and others who wish to serve BSMA, Inc. may join as Associate Members; they do not vote or pay dues. Blue Star Mothers is made up of local chapters, which are organized into departments in some states. Five members are required to start a local chapter. Blue Star Mothers do not have a permanent headquarters, so the headquarters travels with the National President, who also determines where the annual convention will be held.
There were about 30,000 members during World War II and several thousand during the Korean War and Vietnam War. According to BSMA, Inc, there are more than 6,000 members in nearly 200 chapters across the nation.
