military flags

The Marine Corps Flag features an eagle, globe, and anchor insignia. Accepted in 1868, the symbol became part of the official seal of the Marine Corp after final approval by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1954.

The Navy Flag also features an eagle; its wings are spread-out to suggest it is defending a ship at sea. Nautical imagery includes a circular rope surrounding the central insignia, while the words United States Navy are presented in blue letters on a yellow scroll and battle streamers represent major battles in history.

An Eagle and scroll are symbolized on the Air Force Flag. A meaningful alternative to some of the company’s other flags; it features the Air Force coat of arms, highlighted among an ultramarine blue background. The 13 white stars represent the original colonies, while the outstretched wings of the bald eagle frame three of these, representing the National Defense establishment’s three branches – the Army, Air Force, and Navy. The flag and symbol was approved in 1951 and remains the same today.

As other military flags do, the Coast Guard Flag has an eagle as its centerpiece. It has a white background with a banner, “United States Coast Guard” printed on top, while a shield on the eagle’s breast features a blue chief, set over vertical white and red stripes. The date 1790 is still printed on the emblem; this is the date the Revenue Cutter Service, which later became the Coast Guard, was founded. Formed in 1915, the Coast Guard has retained the same imagery.

Prior to 1956, the Army was the only military branch that was without a flag to represent the entire service.  On June 14th of that year, the flag of the US Army was unveiled to the public.  The flag features a white background, with “United States Army” written on a red scroll and the original War Office seal above it in blue, with the year of the Army’s creation, “1775,” at the bottom in blue.