Black Jack's Saber with Scabbard
Artifact IDMO 63.1503a-b
Object Type
Saber
Date
ca. 1963
Medium
Steel, wood
DimensionsOverall L 36 1/2 in (92.7 cm )
Physical DescriptionSaber with scabbard. The saber has a wooden handle, split knuckle hilt, and chased blade decorated with the Great Seal of the United States, crossed cannons with an American flag, and a small Star of David at the base.
Historical NoteThis saber was attached to the saddle of Black Jack, the riderless horse who preceded the caisson in President John F. Kennedy's funeral procession. The riderless or caparisoned horse symbolizes the last journey of the fallen warrior in high ranking military funerals. Abraham Lincoln was the first U.S. president whose funeral cortage included a riderless horse.
A Morgan/Quarter Horse mix, Black Jack became part of the Cassion Platoon of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment in 1953. He participated in an estimated 1000 full honor military funerals and those of three presidents over the course of his 20 year career. Besides President Kennedy's, Black Jack served as the caparisoned horse at the funerals of presidents Herbert Hoover (1964) and Lyndon B. Johnson (1973), as well as that of General Douglas MacArthur.
Black Jack died in 1976 at age 29. He was buried at Fort Myer, Virginia with full military honors. That year President Richard Nixon wrote in tribute: “Black Jack has been a poignant symbol of our nation’s grief on many occasions over the years. Citizens in mourning felt dignity and purpose conveyed, a simpler yet deeper tribute to the memory of those heroic ‘riders’ who have given so much for our nation. Our people are grateful to Black Jack for helping us bear the burden of sorrow during difficult times.”
Additional DetailsA Morgan/Quarter Horse mix, Black Jack became part of the Cassion Platoon of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment in 1953. He participated in an estimated 1000 full honor military funerals and those of three presidents over the course of his 20 year career. Besides President Kennedy's, Black Jack served as the caparisoned horse at the funerals of presidents Herbert Hoover (1964) and Lyndon B. Johnson (1973), as well as that of General Douglas MacArthur.
Black Jack died in 1976 at age 29. He was buried at Fort Myer, Virginia with full military honors. That year President Richard Nixon wrote in tribute: “Black Jack has been a poignant symbol of our nation’s grief on many occasions over the years. Citizens in mourning felt dignity and purpose conveyed, a simpler yet deeper tribute to the memory of those heroic ‘riders’ who have given so much for our nation. Our people are grateful to Black Jack for helping us bear the burden of sorrow during difficult times.”
Custodial History NoteItem was obtained by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and donated to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library by the Estate of President John F. Kennedy in 1965.
Credit LineJohn F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA; Gift of the Estate of President John F. Kennedy
National Archives Catalog CollectionJohn F. Kennedy Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 1676934)
National Archives Catalog SeriesKennedy Administration Collection 1960-1963 (National Archives Identifier 1676959)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedUse Restriction NoteThis material is not subject to any known copyright or other image use restrictions.In Collection(s)
Not on view
