US Navy Jack

First Navy Jack, Navy Union Jacks

Stars	Design	Dates in general use	Notes
0	or	January 8, 1776 – June 14, 1777	The first jack adopted by the United States consisted of thirteen alternating red and white horizontal stripes. Known as the First Navy Jack, it is often depicted with a rattlesnake and motto, however, the evidence is inconclusive that the jack actually had either of these. There is reason to believe that the Continental Navy jack was simply a red and white striped flag with no other adornment. ^[7]
13		June 14, 1777 – May 1, 1795	Examples of many layouts of the 13 star pattern exist (see Flag of the United States).
15		May 1, 1795 – July 3, 1818	The 15-star jack was used by the United States during the Quasi-War and the 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; World War II
49		July 4, 1959 – July 3, 1960
50		July 4, 1960 – October 12, 1975^[4]	A 50-star jack was adopted on July 4, 1960, after the ascension of the Territory of Hawaii into statehood. The 50-star jack was used during the Vietnam War. In October 1975, the jack was briefly replaced by the First Navy Jack in commemoration of the U.S. Navy's bicentennial as well as the bicentennial of the United States of America's independence. The 50-star jack was re-adopted on January 1, 1977.
0		October 13, 1975 – December 31, 1976^[4]	On October 13, 1975, commissioned U.S. Navy warships switched to the First Navy Jack in commemoration of the bicentennial of the United States Navyand the United States of America's bicentennial. It was used in this capacity until December 31, 1976, when the 50-star jack was re-adopted.
50		January 1, 1977 – September 10, 2002^[4]^[8]	Global War on Terrorism; War in Afghanistan The 50-star jack was re-adopted by commissioned U.S. Navy warships on January 1, 1977. Since August 18, 1980, the First Navy Jack has been used by the active commissioned ship having the longest total period as active in place of the union jack until the ship is decommissioned or transferred to inactive status, whereupon the next such ship inherits the honor. In 2002, commissioned U.S. Navy warships switched to the First Navy Jack. From September 11, 2002 onwards, the 50-star jack is only used by Military Sealift Command (MSC) and non-U.S. Navy vessels (e.g., USCG, NOAA, etc.).
0		September 11, 2002^[8] – June 3, 2019	Global War on Terrorism; War in Afghanistan; Iraq War The First Navy Jack has been in use since 2002 by United States Navy vessels only. MSC and non-U.S. Navy vessels, such as those of the U.S. Coast Guard and NOAA, continue to use the 50-star union jack adopted in 1960. From August 18, 1980, onwards, the active commissioned ship having the longest total period as active uses the First Navy Jack instead.^[4] Currently that ship is USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19).
50		June 4, 2019 –	The 50-star jack set to be re-adopted by commissioned U.S. Navy warships on February 21, 2019, effective June 4, 2019, to coincide with the Battle of Midway.