Much like how the United States has its own flag, each branch of the US military has its own official flag. However, these flags aren't nearly as well known as the stars and stripes — and even those familiar might not be fully aware of their history and symbolism. To learn more, let's take a look at the flags of the Department of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
The United States Army Flag
In the past, the Army faced a unique challenge during joint ceremonies with the other branches of the military — they had no official flag to call their own. This predicament was noticed by the Secretary of the Army in the 1950s, which resulted in the creation and approval of the branch's flag. The Army's flag is made with white silk and has the their name written on a scarlet scroll, with 1775, the year the branch was founded by the Continental Congress, below.
However, the most prominent feature of the United States Army flag is their official seal in an aquamarine hue. This seal is a complex image depicting a variety of different objects that each hold their own symbolic meaning. For example, the sword in the center represents strength while the Phrygian cap on top of it signifies freedom. The seal also bears a Roman cuirass, which is a form of body armor, as well as cannons, flags, a snake, and the Roman numerals MDCCLXXVIII at the bottom — which represents 1778, the year the seal was first created.
The United States Navy Flag
The flag of the United States Navy is unique in that while the official version was created in the late 1950s as an executive order of President Eisenhower, another flag was used prior to its creation. Naval landing forces had once flown a blue flag with a white diamond and anchor in the center, which was used unofficially for more than half a century in ceremonies and drills.
After 1959, the US Navy was represented by a dark blue flag with a yellow fringe. Much like the US Army flag, this banner also bore the branch's seal. A bald eagle that represents the United States boldly spreads its wings atop an anchor in the center of the seal, while a tri-mast ship sails behind it. This boat also flies flags of its own, namely the American Flag, the commodore's flag, and the National Ensign. It's worth noting that the Navy doesn't actually fly this flag on any of their ships, and instead uses it for ceremonies.
The United States Air Force Flag
Following the Second World War, the US government realized the country's military needed a developed Air Force and created them in 1947. A few years later in 1951, they would also get their official flag. This flag is primarily ultramarine and gold, which are the colors of the Air Force. As before, the bald eagle in the center represents the United States, while the ring of stars surrounding it are symbolic of the original thirteen colonies. Below the eagle is a shield depicting clouds and several thunderbolts shooting out in multiple directions — representative of how the Air Force uses the sky to strike opponents.
The United States Space Force Flag
The United States Space Force flag is a powerful symbol of the USSF's missions and its commitment to security and vigilance in space. The flag features the official Space Force seal, which consists of a white Polaris star on a black background. Surrounding the star are two clusters of stars, representing the unified forces of the USSF. Above the star is an arch with thirteen stars, representing the original 13 colonies that formed the United States. Below it are two crossed swords, representing strength and readiness for combat. The words “United States Space Force'' and Roman numerals MMXIX (2019) are also featured on the flag.
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