The jack of the United States is a maritime flag representing United States nationality flown on the jackstaff in the bow of its vessels. The U.S. Navy is a prime user of jacks, but they are also used by ships of the Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and other governmental entities. Civilian vessels may also fly a jack.^{[citation needed]} USS Chesapeake flying Stars and Stripes below White Ensign A maritime flag is a flag designated for use on boats and other watercraft. ... First Navy Jack being raised on a jackstaff A jackstaff is a small vertical spar (pole) in the bow of a ship, on which a particular type of flag, know as a jack, is flown. ... The United States Navy, also known as the USN or the U.S. Navy, is a branch of the United States armed forces responsible for conducting naval operations. ... The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is a branch of the United States armed forces involved in maritime law enforcement, mariner assistance, search and rescue, and national defense. ... The Military Sealift Command (MSC) is a United States Navy (USN) organization that controls most of the replenishment and military transport ships of the Navy. ... The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a scientific agency of the United States Department of Commerce focused on the conditions of the oceans and the atmosphere. ...

The primary jack design until September 11, 2002 was the blue canton with stars (the "union") from the U.S. national ensign. The blue, starred jack is referred to as the Union Jack, but should not be confused with the British Union Jack. Like the ensign, the number of stars on the jack has increased with each state admitted into the union. Rules for flying the jack are similar to the national ensign. September 11 is the 254th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (255th in leap years). ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... The design and description of flags typically uses specialised flag terminology with precise and technical meanings (a form of jargon). ... National flag and ensign. ... Flag Ratio: 1:2 The Union Flag (more commonly known as the Union Jack) is the national flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. ...

Since September 11, 2002, the Navy has instead flown the First Navy Jack, a flag bearing 13 red and white stripes, a rattlesnake and the motto "don't tread on me", coming from the first jacks supposedly used by the Navy during the Revolutionary War. It is flown from the jackstaff from 08:00 to sunset while Navy ships are moored or at anchor. It is required to be the same size as the union of the ensign being flown from the stern of the ship. It is also flown from the yardarm during a general court-martial or court of inquiry.^[1] During times when the ensign is at half mast, the jack is also at half mast. The jack is hoisted smartly and lowered ceremoniously in the same manner as the ensign, however the jack is not dipped when the ensign is dipped.^[2] Species 27 species; see list of rattlesnake species and subspecies. ... The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), also known as the American War of Independence, was a war fought primarily between Great Britain and revolutionaries within thirteen of her North American colonies. ... the Fougueuse throwing a mooring line. ... A stocked ships anchor. ... The fore royal yard on the Prince William. ... A court-martial (plural courts-martial) is a military court that determines punishments for members of the military subject to military law. ... // The United States flag flying at half-staff over the White House. ...

Some exceptions to the use of the Union Jack have occurred in the case of the U.S. Navy. The most prominent being the use of the First Navy Jack by the U.S. Navy in honor of the country's Bicentennial and subsequently.^[3] On June 3, 1999, the Secretary of the Navy authorized the flying of the Submarine Centennial Jack aboard US Navy submarines and sub tenders during the year 2000.^[4] US First Navy Jack In the fall of 1775, as the first ships of the Continental Navy readied in the Delaware River, Commodore Esek Hopkins issued, in a set of fleet signals, an instruction directing his vessels to fly a striped Jack and Ensign. ... June 3 is the 154th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (155th in leap years), with 211 days remaining. ... 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ...

No. of Stars	Design	Dates in General Use	Notes
(0)	or	January 8, 1776–June 14, 1777	There is little evidence this jack had the rattlesnake or motto as traditionally depicted (see First Navy Jack).
13		June 14, 1777–May 1, 1795	Examples of many layouts of the 13 star pattern exist. See US Flag for details.
15		May 1, 1795–July 3, 1818	War of 1812
20		July 4, 1818–July 3, 1819
21		July 4, 1819–July 3, 1820
23		July 4, 1820–July 3, 1822
24		July 4, 1822–July 3, 1836
25		July 4, 1836–July 3, 1837
26		July 4, 1837–July 3, 1845
27		July 4, 1845–July 3, 1846
28		July 4, 1846–July 3, 1847
29		July 4, 1847–July 3, 1848
30		July 4, 1848–July 3, 1851
31		July 4, 1851–July 3, 1858
32		July 4, 1858–July 3, 1859
33		July 4, 1859–July 3, 1861	Civil War
34		July 4, 1861–July 3, 1863
35		July 4, 1863–July 3, 1865
36		July 4, 1865–July 3, 1867
37		July 4, 1867–July 3, 1877
38		July 4, 1877–July 3, 1890
43		July 4, 1890–July 3, 1891
44		July 4, 1891–July 3, 1896
45		July 4, 1896–July 3, 1908	Sinking of the USS Maine Spanish-American War Great White Fleet
46		July 4, 1908–July 3, 1912
48		July 4, 1912–July 3, 1959	World War I and World War II
49		July 4, 1959–July 3, 1960
50		July 4, 1960—October 12, 1975[3]
		January 1, 1977—Sept 11, 2002[3][5]	From 1980, the oldest active ship in the navy flies the First Navy Jack instead[3]
(0)	First Navy Jack	October 13, 1975—December 31, 1976[3]	USN and US Bicentennials
		Sept 11, 2002[5]—	War on Terrorism USN vessels, MSC vessels continue to fly the 50 star jack See First Navy Jack for explanation

Image File history File links Naval_Jack_of_the_United_States. ... Image File history File links US_Naval_Jack_13_stripes. ... January 8 is the 8th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1776 (MDCCLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Thursday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ... June 14 is the 165th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (166th in leap years), with 200 days remaining. ... Year 1777 (MDCCLXXVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ... Species 27 species; see list of rattlesnake species and subspecies. ... US First Navy Jack In the fall of 1775, as the first ships of the Continental Navy readied in the Delaware River, Commodore Esek Hopkins issued, in a set of fleet signals, an instruction directing his vessels to fly a striped Jack and Ensign. ... Image File history File links US_Naval_Jack_13_stars. ... June 14 is the 165th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (166th in leap years), with 200 days remaining. ... Year 1777 (MDCCLXXVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ... May 1 is the 121st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (122nd in leap years). ... 1795 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... National flag and ensign. ... Image File history File links US_Naval_Jack_15_stars. ... May 1 is the 121st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (122nd in leap years). ... 1795 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... July 3 is the 184th day of the year (185th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 181 days remaining. ... 1818 (MDCCCXVIII) is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar. ... Combatants United States Native Americans Great Britain, Canadian provincial forces First Nations Peoples Commanders James Madison Henry Dearborn Jacob Brown Winfield Scott Andrew Jackson George Prevost Isaac Brock† Tecumseh† Strength •U.S. Regular Army: 35,800 •Rangers: 3,049 •Militia: 458,463* •US Navy & US Marines: (at start of war... Image File history File links US_Naval_Jack_20_stars. ... For the United States holiday, the Fourth of July, see Independence Day (United States). ... 1818 (MDCCCXVIII) is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar. ... July 3 is the 184th day of the year (185th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 181 days remaining. ... 1819 common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Image File history File links US_Naval_Jack_21_stars. ... For the United States holiday, the Fourth of July, see Independence Day (United States). ... 1819 common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... July 3 is the 184th day of the year (185th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 181 days remaining. ... 1820 was a leap year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Image File history File links US_Naval_Jack_23_stars. ... For the United States holiday, the Fourth of July, see Independence Day (United States). ... 1820 was a leap year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... July 3 is the 184th day of the year (185th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 181 days remaining. ... 1822 (MDCCCXXII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Image File history File links US_Naval_Jack_24_stars. ... For the United States holiday, the Fourth of July, see Independence Day (United States). ... 1822 (MDCCCXXII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... July 3 is the 184th day of the year (185th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 181 days remaining. ... Year 1836 (MDCCCXXXVI) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a leap year starting on Wednesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Image File history File links US_Naval_Jack_25_stars. ... For the United States holiday, the Fourth of July, see Independence Day (United States). ... Year 1836 (MDCCCXXXVI) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a leap year starting on Wednesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... July 3 is the 184th day of the year (185th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 181 days remaining. ... Queen Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom (1837 - 1901) 1837 (MDCCCXXXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Image File history File links US_Naval_Jack_26_stars. ... For the United States holiday, the Fourth of July, see Independence Day (United States). ... Queen Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom (1837 - 1901) 1837 (MDCCCXXXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... July 3 is the 184th day of the year (185th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 181 days remaining. ... 1845 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Image File history File links US_Naval_Jack_27_stars. ... For the United States holiday, the Fourth of July, see Independence Day (United States). ... 1845 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... July 3 is the 184th day of the year (185th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 181 days remaining. ... 1846 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Image File history File links US_Naval_Jack_28_stars. ... For the United States holiday, the Fourth of July, see Independence Day (United States). ... 1846 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... July 3 is the 184th day of the year (185th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 181 days remaining. ... 1847 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Image File history File links US_Naval_Jack_29_stars. ... For the United States holiday, the Fourth of July, see Independence Day (United States). ... 1847 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... July 3 is the 184th day of the year (185th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 181 days remaining. ... Year 1848 (MDCCCXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a leap year starting on Monday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Image File history File links US_Naval_Jack_30_stars. ... For the United States holiday, the Fourth of July, see Independence Day (United States). ... Year 1848 (MDCCCXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a leap year starting on Monday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... July 3 is the 184th day of the year (185th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 181 days remaining. ... 1851 (MDCCCLI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Image File history File links US_Naval_Jack_31_stars. ... For the United States holiday, the Fourth of July, see Independence Day (United States). ... 1851 (MDCCCLI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... July 3 is the 184th day of the year (185th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 181 days remaining. ... 1858 (MDCCCLVIII) is a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Image File history File links US_Naval_Jack_32_stars. ... For the United States holiday, the Fourth of July, see Independence Day (United States). ... 1858 (MDCCCLVIII) is a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... July 3 is the 184th day of the year (185th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 181 days remaining. ... 1859 (MDCCCLIX) is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar). ... Image File history File links US_Naval_Jack_33_stars. ... For the United States holiday, the Fourth of July, see Independence Day (United States). ... 1859 (MDCCCLIX) is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar). ... July 3 is the 184th day of the year (185th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 181 days remaining. ... 1861 (MDCCCLXI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link with display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar) // January 1 - Benito Juárez captures Mexico City January 2 - Friedrich Wilhelm IV of Prussia dies and is succeeded by... This article is becoming very long. ... Image File history File links US_Naval_Jack_34_stars. ... For the United States holiday, the Fourth of July, see Independence Day (United States). ... 1861 (MDCCCLXI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link with display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar) // January 1 - Benito Juárez captures Mexico City January 2 - Friedrich Wilhelm IV of Prussia dies and is succeeded by... July 3 is the 184th day of the year (185th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 181 days remaining. ... 1863 (MDCCCLXIII) is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar). ... Image File history File links US_Naval_Jack_35_stars. ... For the United States holiday, the Fourth of July, see Independence Day (United States). ... 1863 (MDCCCLXIII) is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar). ... July 3 is the 184th day of the year (185th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 181 days remaining. ... 1865 (MDCCCLXV) is a common year starting on Sunday. ... Image File history File links US_Naval_Jack_36_stars. ... For the United States holiday, the Fourth of July, see Independence Day (United States). ... 1865 (MDCCCLXV) is a common year starting on Sunday. ... July 3 is the 184th day of the year (185th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 181 days remaining. ... Cunt BAg Twat Fuk suck my penis ring 0778851865!!!!!!Year 1867 (MDCCCLXVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Image File history File links US_Naval_Jack_37_stars. ... For the United States holiday, the Fourth of July, see Independence Day (United States). ... Cunt BAg Twat Fuk suck my penis ring 0778851865!!!!!!Year 1867 (MDCCCLXVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... July 3 is the 184th day of the year (185th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 181 days remaining. ... 1877 (MDCCCLXXVII) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Image File history File links US_Naval_Jack_38_stars. ... For the United States holiday, the Fourth of July, see Independence Day (United States). ... 1877 (MDCCCLXXVII) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... July 3 is the 184th day of the year (185th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 181 days remaining. ... 1890 (MDCCCXC) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar). ... Image File history File links US_Naval_Jack_43_stars. ... For the United States holiday, the Fourth of July, see Independence Day (United States). ... 1890 (MDCCCXC) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar). ... July 3 is the 184th day of the year (185th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 181 days remaining. ... Year 1891 (MDCCCXCI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Image File history File links US_Naval_Jack_44_stars. ... For the United States holiday, the Fourth of July, see Independence Day (United States). ... Year 1891 (MDCCCXCI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... July 3 is the 184th day of the year (185th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 181 days remaining. ... Year 1896 (MDCCCXCVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display calendar). ... Image File history File links US_Naval_Jack_45_stars. ... For the United States holiday, the Fourth of July, see Independence Day (United States). ... Year 1896 (MDCCCXCVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display calendar). ... July 3 is the 184th day of the year (185th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 181 days remaining. ... 1908 (MCMVIII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... USS Maine (ACR-1), the first ship of the United States Navy to be named for the state of Maine, was a 6682-ton second-class pre-dreadnought battleship originally designated as Armored Cruiser #1. ... Combatants United States Spain Commanders Nelson A. Miles William R. Shafter George Dewey Máximo Gómez Emilio Aguinaldo Patricio Montojo Pascual Cervera Casualties 3,289 U.S. dead (only 432 from combat); considerably higher although undetermined Cuban and Filipino casualties Unknown[1] The Spanish-American War was a conflict... The Great White Fleet steaming in column; the USS Kansas at left. ... Image File history File links US_Naval_Jack_46_stars. ... For the United States holiday, the Fourth of July, see Independence Day (United States). ... 1908 (MCMVIII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... July 3 is the 184th day of the year (185th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 181 days remaining. ... 1912 (MCMXII) was a leap year starting on Monday in the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Tuesday in the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Image File history File links US_Naval_Jack_48_stars. ... For the United States holiday, the Fourth of July, see Independence Day (United States). ... 1912 (MCMXII) was a leap year starting on Monday in the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Tuesday in the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... July 3 is the 184th day of the year (185th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 181 days remaining. ... Year 1959 (MCMLIX) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Combatants Allied Powers: Russian Empire France British Empire Italy United States Central Powers: Austria-Hungary German Empire Ottoman Empire Bulgaria Commanders Nikolay II Aleksey Brusilov Georges Clemenceau Joseph Joffre Ferdinand Foch Robert Nivelle Herbert H. Asquith D. Lloyd George Sir Douglas Haig Sir John Jellicoe Victor Emmanuel III Luigi Cadorna... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... Image File history File links US_Naval_Jack_49_stars. ... For the United States holiday, the Fourth of July, see Independence Day (United States). ... Year 1959 (MCMLIX) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... July 3 is the 184th day of the year (185th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 181 days remaining. ... 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1960 calendar). ... Image File history File links US_Naval_Jack. ... For the United States holiday, the Fourth of July, see Independence Day (United States). ... 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1960 calendar). ... October 12 is the 285th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (286th in leap years). ... 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday. ... January 1 is the first day of the calendar year in both the Julian and Gregorian calendars. ... For the album by Ash, see 1977 (album). ... The World Trade Center on fire The September 11, 2001 attacks were a series of coordinated terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001. ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday. ... Image File history File links Naval_Jack_of_the_United_States. ... October 13 is the 286th day of the year (287th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday. ... December 31 is the 365th day of the year (366th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1976 (MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday. ... The United States Navy (USN) is the branch of the United States armed forces responsible for naval operations. ... United States may refer to: Places: United States of America SS United States, the fastest ocean liner ever built. ... The World Trade Center on fire The September 11, 2001 attacks were a series of coordinated terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001. ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... This article is about U.S. actions after September 11, 2001. ... The United States Navy (USN) is the branch of the United States armed forces responsible for naval operations. ... The Military Sealift Command (MSC) is a United States Navy (USN) organization that controls most of the replenishment and military transport ships of the Navy. ... US First Navy Jack In the fall of 1775, as the first ships of the Continental Navy readied in the Delaware River, Commodore Esek Hopkins issued, in a set of fleet signals, an instruction directing his vessels to fly a striped Jack and Ensign. ...

[edit] See also

United States Navy Portal

• First Navy Jack
• Flags of the United States armed forces

Image File history File links United_States_Department_of_the_Navy_Seal. ... US First Navy Jack In the fall of 1775, as the first ships of the Continental Navy readied in the Delaware River, Commodore Esek Hopkins issued, in a set of fleet signals, an instruction directing his vessels to fly a striped Jack and Ensign. ... The several branches of the United States armed forces are represented by flags, among other emblems and insignia. ...

[edit] Footnotes

1. ^ United States Navy Rate training manual. Signalman 1 & C.
2. ^ United States Navy. Basic Military Requirements (BMR) Revised Edition
3. ^ ^{a b c d e} The U.S. Navy's First Jack. Retrieved on 2006-10-01.
4. ^ Undersea Warfare Summer 2000 Vol. 2, No. 4. The fact that the U.S. Navy has, at times, elected to substitue other flags for the Union Jack has not affected its use as a jack by the Coast Guard, NOAA, other agencies and civilians. Downlink.
5. ^ ^{a b} Change ordered 2002-05-31, executed on date shown.