In honor of the Navy's decision to once again fly the Revolutionary "Don't Tread On Me" flag, a new graphic has been added to the blogroll column on the left.
Instead of the typical yellow field, here is the 13-stripe red and white pattern as flown by American warships during the Revolutionary War. Just as proud is the Navy's ancient motto -- "First In Harm's Way."
Did I miss something? I thought only the oldest ship in the U.S Navy (currently the USS Kitty Hawk) was authorized to fly the First Union Jack!!!
Matt Drudge first highlighted the story in TIME that indeed those orders have been issued!
It is a proud day when there are clear signs we are taking a stand.
[The USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned ship in the U.S. Navy !!]
This is a great idea.
A skull and cross bones would be even better.
The yellow(called the Gadsden flag), and striped versions were both created during the Revolutionary War. Both served as naval flags. I agree, this is a great idea and I wish that flag, in any of its versions, were displayed far more widely than just the navy.
I'd love to see it accorded some kind of legal status, as a secondary national flag perhaps. Then, every so often, John Negroponte could have one run up our flagpole at the UN.
The oldest ship in the Navy is the USS Constitution.
Excuuuuse me!!! I should have said the oldest ACTIVE-DUTY dhip in the navy, which is the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) homeported in Yokosuka, Japan. I still think she's the only one authorized to fly it. see this article!!!
That's a good lookin' flag. It's better than the common yellow-background variation.
My favorite flag, in either form. Or maybe it's just my favortie sentiment...
It's a fantastic flag, a fantastic sentiment and a fantastic order.
I've been looking into the history of both the flag and the motto, and I'm sure I've read somewhere - though I can't find a source now - that "Don't Tread On Me" was a popular slogan during the British Civil Wars of the 17th century. Can anyone help me out with this?
(Which is not, of course, to detract from its wonderfully American character.)
I don't have a reference for it, but my understanding is that the rattlesnake was a symbol of the American colonies (since they are native here and are of great abundance). The rattlesnake usually lays coiled and peaceful until an intruder approaches. If someone steps on it, it will strike with ferocity and poison the foe (hence the "Don't Tread on Me" slogan). The bite is usually fatal (or may have been in those days before anti-venom). All in all, a perfect symbol of American philosophy in colonial days. The original snake symbol was presented as being cut up into 13 pieces (see Ken Layne's site for an example) and the whole snake picture gained prominence during the Revolutionary War.
SECNAV has changed the policy so all Navy ships will fly the original Jack. See this for more
