Republic of China Order of the Cloud and Banner, also known as the Order of the Resplendent Banner, 2nd Class with Grand Cordon, comprising a large breast star and matching sash badge suspended from its original purple and cream grand cordon sash.
Instituted by the Republic of China in 1935, the Order of the Cloud and Banner was a military decoration awarded in nine classes for distinguished contributions to national security. The insignia depicts a yellow military banner among white clouds against a blue enameled field, surrounded by radiating yellow, white and silver-gilt elements. The yellow-and-white configuration with two small red stars identifies the present insignia as the 2nd Class, worn with Grand Cordon.
The set is constructed in silver-gilt and multicolored enamel. The large breast star features an eight-pointed white enameled star over yellow rays and an elaborate faceted outer starburst, centered by the characteristic blue enameled medallion depicting the yellow banner and clouds. The matching sash badge repeats the design and hangs from the original wide purple and cream striped sash with rosette.
Of particular historical interest is the provenance of this set. It descended in the family of Rear Admiral William Reynolds Purnell (1886-1955), U.S. Navy. Purnell served as Chief of Staff of the U.S. Asiatic Fleet at the beginning of World War II and later became Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Materiel. In 1942 he was appointed the Navy representative to the three-member Military Policy Committee overseeing the Manhattan Project, working with Major General Leslie Groves and helping coordinate the Navy’s participation in the development of the atomic bomb.
Purnell was also responsible for bringing Navy Captain William S. “Deak” Parsons into the Manhattan Project. Parsons subsequently became associate director at Los Alamos and served as weaponeer aboard the Enola Gay during the Hiroshima mission.
PROVENANCE
From the family of Rear Admiral William Reynolds Purnell (1886-1955), United States Navy, who served on the Manhattan Project’s Military Policy Committee. Acquired directly from the admiral’s descendants.
MEASUREMENTS
Breast Star: 3.28 in. diameter; weight approximately 2.84 ozt.
Sash Badge: 2.76 in. diameter; weight approximately 1.95 ozt.
Grand Cordon Sash: approximately 54 in. long.
