Moonlight Gecko Posted April 17, 2017 Share #1 Posted April 17, 2017 I've had this flag for a while but I don't know much about it. I was told it was Navy and used in Vietnam on a river boat, but I don't know if this is accurate. Does anyone have any ideas to what it might be? Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Jerry Posted April 17, 2017 Share #2 Posted April 17, 2017 I think it is a Naval command pennant. Red would be a Burgee Command. It would be the personal command flag of an officer that was not a "flag" officer. (now what that means in terms of how used and unit type I don't know...) and I find it very odd that there are 2 different numbers on it. But a very neat piece! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas36th Posted April 17, 2017 Share #3 Posted April 17, 2017 It looks like it had number 32 on both sides. You can see the red stained into the main body. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Jerry Posted April 17, 2017 Share #4 Posted April 17, 2017 Ah that makes mores sense! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwb123 Posted April 17, 2017 Share #5 Posted April 17, 2017 Notice on each side it is the outermost number that has been torn off. So then, what does "32" signify in the Brown Water Navy of Vietnam? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted April 17, 2017 Share #6 Posted April 17, 2017 The blue and white version of this flag would indicate something like a destroyer squadron command. I've seen the red and white version before, but for the life of me, I can't remember what it was used for... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted April 17, 2017 Share #7 Posted April 17, 2017 Division pennant, see post #7 on this topic http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/144847-us-navy-command-pennants/ Destroyer Division 32 with painted number posted by CROC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted April 17, 2017 Share #8 Posted April 17, 2017 From a PM: Sigsaye Says..... "When in Trouble, When in Doubt, Run in Circles, Scream and Shout, SIGS, SIGS, TELL ME WHAT ITS ALL ABOUT!" Couldn't help it ⚓, old saying from my first SM1 who was a WW2 Vet. Any way, that is a command pennant for a Division, which is smaller than a Squadron. For example, you have Destroyer Squadron 7. Within that command structure you have assorted divisions. The first number indicates the Squadron, second number is division. So, if this pennant has the number "32", it is "X Squadron 3, division 2". It would be flown from the unit commanders "Platform". To add to this, I have NEVER seen one of these with number. Usually, we just flew them blank as these organazations were "Temporary". There were, of course, permanent units created, but I was never part of one. To be honest, we would mostly just paint the numbers on. I've even made these with "Magic Marker".. This is AMAZING!!! As an old retired Signalman, this is not only "Ligit", but true "Craftsmanship". To be truly honest, on these sorts of "Command Pennants", we only put numbers on one side, as it. "Bled Through". And no one could tell the difference. This is beautiful, Love this! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted April 17, 2017 Share #9 Posted April 17, 2017 btw.....It looks to me as if the 32 was on one side initially and when it became ragged, they moved the 2 to the other side, note the wear marks in the opposite direction to the hem (and wind direction when flying). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonlight Gecko Posted April 18, 2017 Author Share #10 Posted April 18, 2017 Thanks for all the help, guys. I appreciate it. Anyone know approximate value on the item? It is not in my area of collecting so I will probably pass it on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted April 18, 2017 Share #11 Posted April 18, 2017 "When in Trouble, When in Doubt, Run in Circles, Scream and Shout, SIGS, SIGS, TELL ME WHAT ITS ALL ABOUT!" PM member Sigsaye, our resident skivvy waver Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
River Patrol Posted April 22, 2017 Share #12 Posted April 22, 2017 Burgee pennant for sure.....I have only one from the Brown Water Navy direct from a River Division Commander with the 3 digit River Division code number he commanded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RustyCanteen Posted April 22, 2017 Share #13 Posted April 22, 2017 "When in Trouble, When in Doubt, Run in Circles, Scream and Shout, SIGS, SIGS, TELL ME WHAT ITS ALL ABOUT!" PM member Sigsaye, our resident skivvy waver That is great, one variation I heard (believe the general saying must have originated in WWII) was approximately 'when in trouble, when in doubt, run in circles scream and shout RELIEVE THE WATCH!' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sigsaye Posted April 22, 2017 Share #14 Posted April 22, 2017 That is great, one variation I heard (believe the general saying must have originated in WWII) was approximately 'when in trouble, when in doubt, run in circles scream and shout RELIEVE THE WATCH!' . The Sailor I learned that from was my first SM1. He had been SM3/c at Okinawa. Made SM3/c, got Kamikazied and sunk, got a Purple Hart and Navy Cross all on his 17th birthday. Great guy. Never seemed to get excited about what was going on. Just a study handin a storm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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