Historical Center Web site Raises History of

[sfc_darrel]

Historical Center Web site Raises History of
Navy Flags

By Marie Dumontet, Naval Historical Center Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Internet has proven to be a
powerful tool for the Naval Historical Center (NHC) to address
Navy and public interest in current topical subjects in a quick
and through manner.

"Basically, there are two reasons why we put information on the
Internet: the first one is due to public interest and the second one
is an educational reason, because people should know about this
particular aspect of the Navy," said Glenn Helm, head of
reference, Naval Department Library, and Web Site Committee
member.

For example, Navy's flags are symbols of history and tradition,
and have always been a permanent subject of query to the
NHC.

With current military operations, and the flying of the first Navy
Jack from all Navy ships, there has been additional interest in the
origins and uses of Navy flags.

Through the efforts of Dr. Michael Crawford, head of the Naval
Historical Center's (NHC) Early History Branch, and the
NHC's Web site committee, the site is now offering information
on the Navy's use of flags and pennants.

Posted July 28, the new entry covers flag related subjects such
as Battle Streamers, Commissioning Pennants, the U.S. Navy's
first Jack, the Iwo Jima flags, the U.S. Navy Flag, signal flags,
"striking the flag," and submarine battle flags of World War II.

First addressed are Battle Streamers, which in the armed forces
are used as reminders for dedicated and heroic service. Adopted
by the Navy in 1971, battle streamers represent the services'
participation in wars, campaigns, or theaters of operation and
certain unit awards.

Next are Commissioning Pennants; they were first used to
distinguish merchant ships from naval vessels, and still continue
on as a tradition.

Regarding the Jack, it must be hoisted at the bow while a ship is
at anchor or in port, and corresponds to the "union" of the
National Ensign.

It has been claimed that the U.S. Navy's first Jack consisted of
white and red stripes with a rattlesnake and a motto "Don't
Tread on Me." However, historians are doubtful concerning the
snake and the motto. Paintings and documents don't confirm the
early Navy's use of the "Rattlesnake Jack."

The Iwo Jima Memorial is probably one of the most significant
and well-known memorials of World War II in the world. An
interview with one of the flag raising veterans is also available on
NHC's Web site.

The current official U.S. Navy Flag was first authorized by
Presidential order in 1959, and replaced the Infantry Battalion
flag that had been used for many years as the unofficial Navy
flag.

To ease communication during operations, the Navy adopted a
phonetic alphabet and a corresponding signal flag system, later
complemented by Morse code signals. A short introduction to
phonetic alphabet and signal flags can also be found on the Web
site.

Continuing on with communications, if a ship's crew is forced to
surrender, they "strike the flag." Striking the flag is considered a
signal of surrender in international law, and naval tradition,
respected all around the globe.

World War II submarines often had unofficial "battle flags" made
up with their insignia and individual Japanese flags representing
sunken ships.

"The aim of this new posting is to clarify the obscure origins of
the Navy's first Jack and consolidate information on flags," said
Helm.

"Internet is the perfect media for organizing and presenting our
history collection. It is a democratic method of distributing free
information that can be constantly used, and doesn't require an
expensive visit to Washington DC," explained Helm.

The NHC's web site hosts an average 60,000 users a month,
from all ages and social categories.

"It is personally and professionally gratifying to be able to
provide information to Navy personnel, veterans and children
anywhere in America. That's a high level of access to detailed
information," concluded Helm.

So do not hesitate to visit the NHC's Web site for research on
the Navy's history. And to read more about Navy flags, their
stories and anecdotes, click here:
www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq123-1.htm

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Sorry. Shortcut fixed.