2007

Iraqi Dagger

The Iraq War (2003-2011) began when the United States and coalition forces invaded Iraq in March 2003; a massive bombing campaign followed, throwing the defending Iraqi army into chaos and allowing coalition forces to sweep through the country with little effective resistance. In the following years, the violence of Iraqi insurgents prompted the assignment of additional U.S. troops to the occupation of Iraq. Ultimately, coalition forces transferred control of the country to a new Iraqi government, only for the country to break out into civil war three years later.

This knife and sheath was confiscated by Purple Heart recipient Sergeant Bob Palmer during a search operation in Iraq north of Baghdad in 2007. He was an infantryman serving with the 1st Battalion, 293rd Infantry, Indiana National Guard. The hilt and sheath are made of plastic resembling wood. It features a hand guard and a metal figure of an eagle on the hilt. It appears to be a ceremonial knife made for decorative purposes.