1st Navy Jack Flag – Don’t Tread On Me Red Double Nylon Embroidered Sewn Flags 2 x 3 or 3 x 5 ft.

First Navy Jack Flag — Don’t Tread on Me Flags

Choose Your Size: 2×3 or 3×5 ft

Military Quality Double Nylon Embroidered

The Flag Still Flying on US Navy Ships Today

Most historical flags live in museums. The First Navy Jack is still on active duty.

In 2002, the Secretary of the Navy directed that all United States Navy ships replace the standard union jack with the historic First Navy Jack — thirteen alternating red and white stripes, rattlesnake stretched across them, the words DONT TREAD ON ME below — and fly it continuously throughout the Global War on Terrorism. More than two decades later, that order remains in effect. At this moment, on US Navy vessels operating in oceans around the world, this flag is flying.

For a flag that first appeared in 1775, that’s a record of continuous relevance matched by very few symbols in American history.

Fall 1775 — The Delaware River

The First Navy Jack predates even the Gadsden Flag’s famous debut on the Alfred. Commodore Esek Hopkins first employed it in the fall of 1775 as he organized the Continental Navy on the Delaware River, preparing the fleet for its first operations. The striped jack and ensign flown together at their proper stations served as his signal for the whole fleet to engage the enemy — the First Navy Jack flying from the bow as the fleet’s identifying mark.

Hopkins understood that a new navy needed visual identity. The rattlesnake on the stripes was both a symbol and a statement: this fleet was American, it represented all thirteen colonies equally in its stripes, and it was not to be provoked.

Jack vs. Ensign — A Naval Distinction

The jack is a flag flown from the bow of a naval vessel — the jackstaff at the front of the ship — when the ship is at anchor or moored in port. The ensign flies from the stern and represents the nation. They are distinct flags serving distinct ceremonial and identification functions, a tradition carried from the British Royal Navy into the American naval tradition at its founding.

The First Navy Jack was specifically designed for the jackstaff — the bow position. Its thirteen horizontal stripes echo the alternating red and white that would later appear in the Stars and Stripes, connecting the naval jack visually to the national flag that would be formally adopted in 1777. The diagonal rattlesnake laid across those stripes was a departure from the Gadsden’s coiled design — an uncoiled snake in motion, stretched across the full width of the flag.

“DONT” — No Apostrophe, On Purpose

The motto on this flag reads DONT TREAD ON ME — without the apostrophe that modern grammar would require. This is not an error. It is historical fidelity.

The only verified period rendering of the First Navy Jack is a print made by Thomas Hart in August 1776. That print clearly shows the word without an apostrophe — and that original spelling has been preserved in every accurate reproduction since. It’s a small detail that carries significant authenticity: this flag is built to match the documented historical source, not a modernized interpretation of it.

From Colonial Navy to the War on Terrorism

The First Navy Jack has been carried through American military history in ways that few other flags can claim. It flew from Continental Navy ships during the Revolution. It was adopted by the tradition of flying it from the oldest commissioned vessel in the US fleet — a living connection to the navy’s origins maintained continuously across centuries.

The 2002 directive extended that tradition to every ship in the fleet, specifically as a reminder of the nation’s origins and its will to defend itself — the same message Hopkins flew on the Delaware in 1775, now carried on destroyers, carriers, and submarines operating across the globe.

Flag Details & Construction

Quality Tier: Military Quality — Double Nylon Embroidered (2-Ply)

Built to the same standard as flags used in active military service — because that’s exactly the context this flag was designed for.

• Sizes available: 2×3 ft / 3×5 ft
• Material: Double-ply nylon — twice the thickness and durability of single-layer construction
• Construction: Fully embroidered on both sides — words and design read correctly from both faces, nothing backwards
• Thread: Bright embroidery thread adds texture, depth, and visual weight
• Edges: Double and quad stitched throughout
• Header: Reinforced metal grommet rings for maximum durability
• Weather rating: All-weather — built for permanent outdoor display, ships at sea, and heavy weather conditions

Recommended Uses

• Permanent all-weather outdoor pole display
• Ships, vessels, and marine environments
• Military encampments and armed conflict display
• Indoor honor guard and memorial display
• Veterans’ organizations and civic patriotic display
• Historical reenactments and naval heritage events
• Premium collector piece for American military history enthusiasts

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the First Navy Jack currently in use by the US Navy? Yes — in 2002 the Secretary of the Navy directed all US Navy ships to fly the historic First Navy Jack in place of the standard union jack throughout the Global War on Terrorism. That directive remains active, making this one of the very few Revolutionary-era flag designs still in official military use today.

What is the difference between the First Navy Jack and the Gadsden Flag? Both feature a rattlesnake and the “Don’t Tread on Me” motto, but they are distinct flags with different designs and purposes. The Gadsden Flag shows a coiled rattlesnake on a solid yellow field and was used as a personal ensign and naval battle flag. The First Navy Jack shows an uncoiled rattlesnake stretched diagonally across thirteen alternating red and white stripes and was specifically designed as a naval jack flown from the bow of ships.

Why is there no apostrophe in “DONT”? The spelling follows the only verified period rendering of the flag — a print made by Thomas Hart in August 1776 that clearly shows the word without an apostrophe. Accurate reproductions preserve this original spelling rather than applying modern grammatical conventions to a historical document.

What does “jack” mean in naval terminology? A jack is a flag flown from the jackstaff at the bow (front) of a naval vessel, typically when the ship is at anchor or moored in port. It is distinct from the ensign, which flies from the stern and identifies the ship’s nationality. The First Navy Jack was designed specifically for this bow position.

What makes Military Quality construction different? Double-ply nylon provides twice the thickness and durability of single-layer construction. The fully embroidered design on both sides — reading correctly from both faces rather than appearing mirrored on the reverse — meets the standard for flags used in active military, ceremonial, and all-weather permanent display applications.

Which size should I choose? The 3×5 ft is the most versatile choice for standard residential poles, outdoor display, and ceremonial use. The 2×3 ft is ideal for smaller poles, boat display, bracket mounts, and indoor honor display where a full-size flag would overwhelm the space.