WORLD WAR II: US SECRETARY OF THE NAVY FLAG.

[1940s]

[1940s] A large "Secretary of the Navy" flag, with dark blue ground, machine-stitched white cotton central anchor and 4 stars, one to each corner applied to each side, heading stenciled "Sec of Navy No 4 MI 46 Parade," zinc wartime grommets. 58 x 80 inches (148 x 204cm). A few small holes, one corner frayed.

A large "Secretary of the Navy" flag for a Capital US naval vessel. Although all naval vessels have to stock a Secretary of the Navy flag, in their flag lockers, most did not get to use it much, as the job of the Secretary was firmly based in his office in Washington. The wear on this example shows it was flown a few times. The Secretary of the Navy was created in 1798, and until 1949, was always a member of the Presidents cabinet, but the role could only be given to a civilian who had been at least 5 years removed from active military service. From July 1940 to April 1944 the office was occupied by Frank Knox, from Illinois, and James Forrestal, previously a successful financier from New York, who took over from May 1944 to September 1947. Forrestal was famous for his telexes and telegrams praising the troops in the Pacific Theater for their successes.