The history of the Gold Star is closely connected to the Blue Star Service Banner.
The Blue Star tradition began during World War I through the efforts of Army Captain Robert L. Queisser of the Ohio 5th Infantry.
In 1917, Captain Queisser had two sons serving on the front lines.
He wanted a visible way to honor their military commitment and to recognize other families whose loved ones were also serving.
His idea became the Blue Star Service Banner.
The design featured a white background surrounded by a red border, with a blue star placed in the center.
Each blue star represented one family member serving in the military.
A Banner Displayed in a Family Window
Captain Queisser placed the banner in the window of his home.
The display allowed neighbors and visitors to see that members of his family were serving their country.
The idea quickly attracted attention.
Other military families began creating and displaying similar banners.
Before long, the Blue Star Service Banner appeared in homes throughout Ohio.
The symbol also spread into churches, businesses, schools, and other community spaces.
It gave families a shared visual language through which they could express pride, concern, and support for loved ones serving far away.
Ohio Formally Recognizes the Blue Star Banner
By September 1917, the Blue Star Service Banner received formal recognition in the Ohio Congressional Record.
That recognition helped establish the banner as more than a private family display.
It became a broader symbol of public support for military personnel and the families waiting for them to return.
During wartime, families often had limited information about the conditions their loved ones faced.
The banner served as a visible reminder that military service affected entire communities.
Behind every blue star was a household living with hope, anxiety, and uncertainty.
As families began receiving news that some service members would not return home, the need for another symbol emerged.
