US Navy command pennants

[Bob Hudson]

This is something I'd never paid any attention to: small flags, "broad pennants," really, as one source calls them "Broad command pennants" for "an officer, other than a flag officer, commanding a unit of ships or aircraft." (see http://www.fotw.net/flags/us%5Envcp.html ). A short while ago I picked up a life ring that had apparently been on the flagship of the commander of Destroyer Division 22 during the 1950's. It came with a deck jacket that had small command pennant replica on the chest:

[Bob Hudson]

This week I got a command pennant for Destroyer Squadron Six when it was in combat in the Pacific in late 1944 and early 1945. It came with a grouping from the retired Admiral who had been the squadron CO then, so we are able to date this one to that period.

[Bob Hudson]

Here's a Coast Guard command pennant from a thread at http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/ind...showtopic=20743

 

 

And the CG regulations on these:

 

A. The broad ... command pennant shall be the personal command pennant of an officer of the Coast Guard, not a flag officer [flag officer = admiral, -ligart], commanding a unit of ships or aircraft.

B. The broad command pennant shall indicate command of:

(1) A force, flotilla, or squadron of ships or craft of any type.

(2) An aircraft wing.

[Bob Hudson]

From another forum thread, here's an M! helmet with a broad command pennant (no doubt the ""Old Man's" helmet).

 

[CROC]

Hi Bob,

 

Nice post, I enclose you this SubRon 6 Pennant and other items from a grouping I have from Capt Whittle former ComSubRon 6 1969-70.

 

 

Alfred J Whittle Jr at the end of his carreer Adm Chief Naval Materiel

 

Best

Croc

[CROC]

a second one, from SubDiv 62 and an other famous submarine officer Capt Kelln (First to take a picture of the a Yankee Sub)

 

 

 

 

Albert L. Kelln in 1964, he was Chief engineer aboard USS Enterprise during 1964 world cruise

 

Best Croc

[CROC]

A last one from from Destroyer Division 32 from 50s aboard USS Rupertus with painted numbers

 

 

Croc

[Bob Hudson]

Here's one from Commander Landing Ship Flotilla One, which had over 40 ships supporting the war in Vietnam, including some from the Brown Water navy.