The official U.S. Army flag was dedicated and unfurled for the first time on June 14th, 1956. The ceremony at Independence Hall in Philadelphia marked the 181st anniversary of the U.S. Army by the Continental Congress in 1775. It measured 4 feet 4 inches by 5 feet 6 inches, was made of white silk with a blue embroidered central design of the original War Office seal. "United States Army" is inscribed in white letters on a scarlet scroll, with the year "1775" in blue numerals below.

More about the Army Flag

The Army flag has 175 streamers attached to the staff to denote the campaigns fought by the Army during the history of the United States. Each streamer on the Army flag is 2 ¾ inches wide and 4 feet long. They are embroidered with the designation of the campaign and the year or years during which it took place. As of this writing, the Army has been serving the United States for 229 years. The significance of 175 streamers over a span of 229 years should give one pause as to the condition of the world during our history.

The concept of the streamers on the Army flag began during the Civil War. Various divisions embroidered the names of their battles on their organizational colors (flags). In 1890 the practice was discontinued and silver bands engraved with the battle names were placed around the staffs of their colors. When silver became scarce during World War I, General Pershing authorized the use of small ribbons to replace them. In 1921, all Army flags were again authorized to use streamers and this practice continues today.

The campaigns represented on the streamers attached to the Army flag represent battles fought in all parts of the world. Our brave men and women have brought our values of freedom and justice to those who needed our help time and again.