Collection/Donor: Military & Flags / American Legion Post 81 of Jackson Ohio (Commander Marshall Batey & Adjutant Greg Ervin)

Location: Main Building – Butler’s Pantry

Description:

The first flag is a 2×3 48 star flag. This flag is from Storm King – a brand name that was employed by the Collegeville Flag & banner Company of Collegeville, Pennsylvania. According to flag expert Jeff Bridgman, ” the stars are made of cotton and are double-appliqued (applied to both sides) with a zigzag machine stitch. The canton and stripes of the flag are made of two-ply cotton that has been joined with machine stitching. There is a sailcloth canvas binding along the hoist with two brass grommets”.

The 48 star flag became the official United States flag on July 4th 1912 following the addition of New Mexico (January 6th, 1912) and Arizona (February 14th, 1912). It was the flag flown during both World Wars and the Korean War. It remained the official flag until July 4th, 1959 when Alaska gained statehood (Smithsonian Institute).

The second flag is a 49 star flag. This flag is 34×49 with printed stars and stitched stripes. The 49 star flag is unique because it was only the official flag for one year. It became the official flag on July 4th, 1959 with the addition of Alaska (January 3rd, 1959) as a state. It was during the tenure of the 49 star flag that President Eisenhower issued two Executive Orders regarding the proportions and layout of the flag. The first Executive Order from January 3rd, 1959 specified an arrangement of the stars in seven rows of seven stars each, staggered horizontally and vertically. The second Executive Order from August 21st, 1959 specified an arrangement of the stars in nine rows of stars staggered horizontally and eleven rows of stars staggered vertically (Smithsonian Institute).

The third flag is a 2×3 50 star flag. This flag is from the Superior Brand and has stitched stripes and stars. The 50 star flag became official on July 4th, 1960 with the addition of Hawaii ( August 29th, 1959) as a state, and has remained the official flag since then.

Items: 0002: A 48 star flag of the United States; 0003: A 49 star flag of the United States; 0004: A 50 star flag of the United States.

Time Period: 1912 – 1959

Archived by Ashley Aldrich