The Flag of the United States Army displays a blue replica of the official seal of the Department of the Army set on a white field. Beneath the seal is a broad scarlet scroll bearing the inscription in white letters, United States Army. Beneath the scroll, in blue Arabic numerals, is 1775 the year in which the Army was created with the appointment of General George Washington as Commander-in-Chief. All of this in on a white background.
The Army flag was dedicated and unfurled to the general public on 14 June 1956 at Independence Hall, Philadelphia, on the 181st anniversary of the establishment of the U.S. Army by the Continental Congress. The original flag measured 4 feet 4e inches by 5 feet 6 inches, the flag is of white silk with a blue embroidered central design of the original War Office seal. United States Army is inscribed in white letters on a scarlet scroll, with the year 1775 in blue numerals below.
All naval vessels belonging to the United States fly the Ensign of the United States, which is identical to the flag of the United States (though originally was a design similar to the Grand Union Flag). All documented U.S. vessels, and all U.S. vessels in international or foreign waters, are required to display this ensign between 08:00 and sunset. Conversely, vessels of the U.S. Coast Guard display a unique ensign as a demonstration of its authority to stop, board, search, and conduct arrests and seizures aboard vessels subject to United States jurisdiction. Historically, the ensign displayed has changed as the flag of the United States has changed. Similarly, vessels of the Continental Navy flew many varied ensigns due to a vague standard set by the Continental Congress, the arrangement of stars and pattern of stripes being left to the commander's interpretations.[5]
Vessels of the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration display the Jack of the United States from the jackstaff.[6] Originally the First Navy Jack was displayed, a design containing the thirteen red and white stripes; while some maintain that it was superimposed by an uncoiled rattlesnake and the motto Dont tread on me [sic], reminiscent of the Gadsden flag. It was later changed to a blue canton with white stars, the union , and updated as each state entered the Union. However, all warships were directed to fly the First Navy Jack, including the disputed rattlesnake and motto, for the duration of the War on Terror in 2002.[7]
