DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
901 M STREET SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
United States Navy Battle Streamers
A cluster of 28 multicolored streamers adorned with silver and bronze stars adds another visual dimension
to the Navy flag. The streamers and stars serve as symbols of the dedicated
and heroic service of Navymen to the nation for more than 200 years from
the Revolutionary War to the campaign in Southwest Asia. They serve as reminders
of the decisive influence of sea power on the establishment of the nation,
and on its security and welfare through the entire period. For each streamer,
brief mention is made of the services and operations it commemorates, and
the campaigns and battles for which stars are awarded.
In January 1971 the U.S. Navy joined the other military services in
the use of battle streamers. Commenting on the meaning of the new streamers
displayed with the Navy flag, Adm. Elmo R. Zumwalt, the Chief of Naval Operations,
said that "ships and men who performed so gallantly in the American
Revolution, at Tripoli, Lake Champlain, Manila Bay, on Atlantic convoy,
at Midway, Leyte, in Korea and in Vietnam will be honored and esteemed through
succeeding generations."
The use of battle streamers had its beginnings in antiquity when various
emblems were carried into combat. Armies of Egypt and Assyria, for example,
placed sacred objects at the tops of poles, then adorned them with streamers.
The eagle of Imperial Rome was recognized throughout the known western world.
In time, solid objects gave way to cloth banners. Medieval knights attached
distinctive streamers to their lances. Colors became a rallying point in
battle, an honor to bear and defend. Among the most prized trophies of war
were the tattered standards of a defeated enemy. The U.S. Army adopted battle
streamers in 1920, the first American military service to initiate their
usage. They were introduced into the Marine Corps in 1939, and in 1956 the
Air Force followed. In 1968 the Coast Guard authorized use of battle streamers.
Many of the practices relative to streamers and their display are similar
among the services. There are, however, differences, particularly regarding
the number of streamers and use of embroidered devices. The Army carries
a separate streamer for each important action in all wars in which that
service has participated. Army streamers are embroidered with the name of
the action commemorated. Currently, the Army allows more than 150 streamers,
and the Air Force, employing the Army system, carries more than 60. Unlike
the Army-Air Force practice, the Marines use one ribbon for each war, campaign,
or theater of operations. Specific actions or battles are highlighted by
bronze and silver stars embroidered on the ribbon. The Marine Corps shows
more than 40 streamers, and the Coast Guard uses nearly 30, unadorned by
either stars or lettering.
The Navy's battle streamers, spanning the period from the Revolutionary
War to Desert Storm, number 28. Like the Marine Corps, the Navy flies a
single streamer for each campaign, war, or theater of operations, with embroidered
stars used for individual battles and operations determined to be suitable
for special recognition. Stars on the Navy streamers follow the practice
initiated during the World War II period for ribbons and medals -- that
is, a bronze star for each action, and a silver star in lieu of five bronze
stars. The Navy applies stars to appropriate ribbons throughout its history,
whereas the Marine Corps uses stars to commemorate service in this century
only. The Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, and Meritorious
Unit Commendation streamers each carry a number rather than stars. This
figure represents the number of times that the respective award has been
conferred upon Navy units.
Navy streamers are 3 feet long and 2 3/4" wide. Where a medal has
been awarded for a particular war or service, the coloring and design of
the streamer are the same as the ribbon from which the medal is suspended.
Conflicts and operations for which no medal was issued have ribbons specially
designed for use as streamers. Today's battle streamers affixed to the military
flags of the United States are colorful symbols and reminders of sacrifice,
service and a proud heritage -- a tribute to the men and women of the armed
forces, past and present, who have responded in America's times of need.
UNITED STATES NAVY BATTLE STREAMERS
Last Update: 1 October 96