Flag of the United States Navy The flag of the United States Navy consists of the seal of the U . S . Department of the Navy in the center , above a yellow scroll inscribed " United States Navy " in dark blue letters , against a dark blue background . The flag was officially authorized by President Dwight D . Eisenhower on April 24 , 1959 and was formally introduced to the public on April 30 , 1959 at a ceremony at Naval Support Facility Carderock in Maryland . It replaced the Infantry Battalion flag which had been used as the unofficial Flag of the United States Navy for many years . It is used on land in offices , in parades and for ceremonial occasions , and often on a staff at the quarterdeck of ships in port . It is never flown by ships at sea , nor on outdoor flagpoles on naval land installations , and is not used as an identifying mark of U . S . Navy ships and facilities , as is the U . S . Coast Guard ensign . Executive order . The following is details from the Naval Telecommunications Procedures , Flags , Pennants & Customs , NTP 13 ( B ) 1710 . FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY By of 24 April 1959 , the President , upon the recommendation of the Secretary of the Navy with the approval of the Secretary of Defense , established and prescribed an official flag for the United States Navy . This flag is to be 4 feet 4 inches hoist ( width ) by 5 feet 6 inches fly ( length ) , of dark blue material , with yellow fringe , 2½ inches wide . In the center of the flag is a device 3 feet 1 inch overall , consisting of the inner pictorial portion of the seal of the Department of the Navy ( with the exception that a continuation of the sea has been substituted for the land area ) , in its proper colors within a circular yellow rope edging , all 2 feet 6 inches in diameter above a yellow scroll inscribed " UNITED STATES NAVY " in dark blue letters . a . The U . S . Navy flag shall be used to represent the Navy as follows : ( 1 ) At official ceremonies ( 2 ) In parades ( 3 ) During official Navy display occasions ( 4 ) At public gatherings when the Navy is an official participant ( 5 ) On such occasions as may be specifically authorized by the Secretary of the Navy . b . When used for the purposes listed above , the U . S . Navy flag will accompany , and take the place of honor next after the national ensign except when other branches of the armed forces are participating , in which case the service flags will take the precedence of the services which they represent , ( see Article 1724 for the service precedences ) . c . The U . S . Navy flag shall not be used for outdoor fixed ( permanent ) display purposes . d . There are no cord and tassels authorized for use with the flag of the United States Navy . e . Battle streamers displayed on the U . S . Navy flag represent both war and non - war actions involving combat . The silver and bronze star embroidered thereon signify selected actions and campaigns in which the Navy has been engaged . Presidential Unit Citation , Navy Unit Commendation and Meritorious Unit Commendation streamers bear numerals rather than stars , indicating the total number of each award earned . Streamers are long , narrow , swallow - tailed ribbons , 3 to 4 feet long , of the same design and width as the service ribbons or unit decoration , and are displayed attached to the staff below the ornament by a brass ring . f . To determine eligibility and entitlement refer to SECNAVINST 1650 . 1 ( current ) ( Navy and Marine Corps Award Manual ) and SECNAVINST 10520 . 2 ( current ) . g . The U . S . Navy flag is for official Navy use only , and shall not be made available to civilian groups , organizations or individuals . Streamers . The following streamers are authorized , in order of precedence : Navy jack . Jacks are additional national flags flown by warships ( and certain other ships ) on a jackstaff at the bow of the ship . These are usually flown only when not underway and when the ship is dressed on special occasions .