The U.S. Navy has its own official flag. It features the seal of the U.S. Department of the Navy above a yellow scroll with the words “United States Navy.” The background is a uniform dark blue color. Even if you’ve never served in the U.S. Navy, you may have seen this flag. The flag of the U.S. Navy is commonly displayed at ceremonies, parades, public gatherings and events authorized by the Secretary of the Navy.
Origins of the US Navy Flag
While the U.S. Navy has been around since 1775, it didn’t have an official flag until the mid-1900s. Instead, the U.S. Navy had an unofficial flag. Known as the Infantry Battalion Flag, it featured a dark blue-colored anchor against a white diamond. The U.S. Navy continued to this unofficial flag for many years. It wasn’t until the mid-1900s when it adopted an official flag.
The origins of the modern-day U.S. Navy flag can be traced back to April 24, 1959. On this day, President Dwight D. Eisenhower authorized an official flag for the U.S. Navy. The legislation, Executive Order 10812, established an official U.S. Navy flag consisting of the U.S. Department of the Navy above a yellow scroll with the words “United States Navy.”
The U.S. Navy flag features a uniform design. It measures approximately 4 feet and 4 inches wide and 5 feet and 6 inches long. It may also feature fringe. According to the design specifications, the fringe on the U.S. Navy flag must be yellow, and it should measure 2.5 inches wide. The design of the U.S. Navy flag follows these specific guidelines.
The US Navy Flag Today
Since being officially adopted in 1959, the U.S. Navy flag hasn’t been changed. It continues to feature the same aforementioned design. And you’ll often see the U.S. Navy flag at ceremonies, parades, public gatherings and events authorized by the Secretary of the Navy.
It’s important to note that the U.S. Navy flag is not displayed on ships at sea; it’s displayed strictly on land.
Another fun fact about the U.S. Navy flag is that there are no tassels or cords authorized for it by the U.S. Navy. Rather, the U.S. Navy flag is displayed by itself without any tassels or cords. Other types of flags may have tassels or cords, but you typically won’t find them on the U.S. Navy flag. Hopefully, this gives you a better understanding of the history of the U.S. Navy flag.
