NNS020822-18 All Ships to Fly First Navy Jack During War on Terrorism
From the Navy News Stand
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- For only the third time, the First Navy Jack will be flown in place of the Union Jack on all ships throughout the U.S. Navy.
The instruction, signed by Secretary of the Navy Gordon R. England on May 31, authorizes all Navy ships to fly the First Navy Jack throughout the War on Terrorism. Since 1977, the jack had been flown only on the oldest active Navy ship still in commission.
All Navy ships and craft authorized to fly the First Navy Jack will receive four flags each through a special distribution.
The flag consists of 13 horizontal, red-and-white stripes with a rattlesnake moving across the center. The motto, 'Don't Tread On Me,' appears across the bottom of the flag.
Conceived in 1775 by Commodore Esek Hopkins of the Continental Navy, the First Navy Jack was initially used as a signal between colonial ships to engage the enemy.
Only twice before has the jack been authorized in place of the Union Jack.
From 1975-76, the First Navy Jack was flown by all ships in the fleet as a historical reminder of country's Bicenntenial celebration. Then, in 1977, SECNAV directed that only the oldest active ship in commission would have the honor of flying the jack, an honor that's belonged to USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) since 1998 when USS Independence (CV 62) was decommissioned.
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