Flag of the United States Navy

Not to be confused with First Navy Jack.

United States Navy
Flag of the United States Navy
UseOther Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag
Proportion16:13
AdoptedApril 24, 1959
Infantry Battalion Flag
Former, unofficial flag of the United States Navy
UseOther Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagSmall vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag
Proportion156:133
AdoptedDecember 1864[1]
DesignDark blue foul anchor on a white diamond, with a dark blue background
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The flag of the United States Navy consists of the seal of the U.S. Department of the Navy in the center, above a yellow scroll inscribed "United States Navy" in dark blue letters, against a dark blue background.

The flag was officially authorized by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on April 24, 1959 and was formally introduced to the public on April 30, 1959 at a ceremony at Naval Support Facility Carderock in Maryland.[2] It replaced the infantry battalion flag which had been used as the U.S. Navy's unofficial flag for many years beforehand.

It is used on land, displayed inside naval offices, in parades, and for other ceremonial occasions, and often on a staff at the quarterdeck of ships in port.[3] It is not flown by ships at sea, nor on outdoor flagpoles on naval land installations, and is not used as an identifying mark of U.S. Navy ships and facilities, as the U.S. Coast Guard ensign is.

  1. ^ United States Department of the Navy (1903). "South Atlantic Blockading Squadron". Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion. p. 88. Retrieved June 26, 2014. December 9, 1864. SIR: I send you three distinguishing pennants for the battalions of the fleet brigade–red for the howitzers, blue for the skirmishers, and white-blue for the marines, marked with an anchor. It will be well not to let our sailors and marines forget the habits to which they have been accustomed, for they may lose this without acquiring those of the soldiers, and I must confess to a preference for the more exact and respectful training of the Navy. It is by no means necessary to cause them discomfort, but they should never be allowed to omit the usual acknowledgements of the presence of their officers. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J.A. Dahlgren.
  2. ^ First Sailor To Carry The Navy Flag Returns To Visit Ceremonial Guard, Navy.mil, May 13, 2009.
  3. ^ US Navy flag