Keywords: Naval Jack of the United States.svg rattlesnake superimposed across 13 alternating red and white stripes with the motto Don't Tread On Me without apostrophe First Navy Jack of the United States was used by the Continental Navy from October 13 1775 through December 31 1776 In 1980 the Secretary of the Navy directed the commissioned ship in active status having the longest total period in active status to display the rattlesnake jack in place of the union jack until decommissioned or transferred to inactive status Since September 11 2002 the flag has been flown by the United States Navy for the duration of the Global War on Terrorism This image is based on an image at the http //www flags net/UNST htm World Flag Database with the color Red from Image Flag of the United States svg For the previous 50-star flag still used as a government jack in some cases see File US Naval Jack svg 1980 in current artistic form http //www history navy mil/faqs/faq122-1 htm Naval Historical Center own work other fields H + PD-USGov-Military-Navy First Navy Jack SVG flags - naval of the United States |