The United States Army Flag was officially adopted by order of President
Dwight D. Eisenhower on June12, 1956. On the following day, June 14,
Flag Day and also the 18lst anniversary of the establishment of the
Army.
The United States Army came into being by action of the Continental
Congress on June 14, 1775. The new United States Army flag is designed
to meet the need for a flag which will represent the entire Army
on appropriate occasions. The flag has a replica of the official
seal of the War Office. Beneath the seal is a broad scarlet scroll
bearing the inscription in white letters, "United States Army".
Beneath the scroll blue Arabic numerals, is "1775", the year in
which the Army was created with the appointment of General George
Washington as Commander-in-Chief. "A cannon in front of a drum with
two drumsticks; below the cannon three cannon balls. A mortar on
a trunion and below the mortar two powder flasks. In the center
a Roman breastplate over a jupon (leather jacket). Above the breastplate
rises a plain sword with the pommel and guard supporting a Phrygin
cap between an esponton (pike) and an organizational color on one
side and a musket with a fixed bayonet and and the National color
on the other side. Above is a rattlesnake holding in its mouth a
scroll inscribed, 'This We'll Defend' ". The cannon balls and powder
flasks are of the Revolutionary War type. The Phrygian cap is the
traditional symbol of liberty.
|
