RED CROSS FLAG POW/MIA FLAG The Red Cross (Geneva Convention) flag is the distinctive mark flown from the after truck of a hospital ship of the Navy in commission. In general, the Red Cross flag is regarded as an international guarantee of amnesty from attack It is displayed ashore at the sanitary branch (dispensary or infirmary) of an activity of the Navy, in company with the national flag, to indicate that the area immediately surrounding it is entitled to protection under the rules of the Geneva Convention. None of the military services, however, flies it on the same halyard as the national flag. Boats engaged in sanitary service and landing party hospital boats display the Red Cross flag from a staff in the bow. All activities authorized to fly the national ensign are encourage to fly the POW/MIA flag on occasions such as Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and National POW/MIA Day. Ships are to display the flag from the inboard port signal halyard. Ashore display should be beneath the national ensign. The POW/MIA flag can also be used for indoor display to enhance ceremonies. AWARD FLAGS AND PENNANTS Some nations in the Middle East regard the cross as a symbol contrary to their religious beliefs. Instead of a red cross on the flag, they use designs such as a red crescent on a white field or a red lion and sun on a white field as an indication of a mission of mercy or amnesty from attack CHURCH AND JEWISH WORSHIP PENNANTS When not under way, ships should fly award pennants at the foremast from sunrise to sunset, on the same halyard, one below the other, in order of seniority. When ashore, award pennants may be displayed in the order of seniority from the port yardarm at U.S. naval activities. For commands without an appropriate flagpole, a replica of the award flag or pennant may be displayed in or near the vicinity of the command’s quarterdeck. When an award flag or pennant is awarded to a department or division within a command, a replica may be displayed in or near the main entrance to that department or division. With the sole exception of flag displays at United Nations headquarters, where special rules apply, only the church or Jewish pennant may be flown above the national ensign. The church services must be conducted by a Navy chaplain or visiting church dignitaries aboard ship. ABSENTEE PENNANTS Many ships are fitted with two halyards to the same point of hoist at both the staff and gaff to permit display of the church pennant and ensign simultaneously. In displaying the church pennant, it is hoisted to the peak or truck, the ensign then being dipped just clear of it. If services are being conducted at the time of morning colors, the ensign is hoisted to the truck at the prescribed time. The church pennant is then hoisted and the ensign dipped just clear of the pennant. If the ensign is displayed at half-mast, the church pennant is hoisted just above the ensign. In lowering the church pennant, the ensign is closed up before the pennant is lowered. When a ship is not under way, the absence of an embarked officer, unit commander, chief of staff, chief staff officer, or commanding officer is indicated from sunrise to sunset by an absentee pennant displayed from the signal yardarm as prescribed in the following table. In the case of the absence of the commanding officer who is also a unit commander or acting as a temporary unit commander, both absentee pennants will be displayed. Signal FIRST SUB—starboard outboard SECOND SUB—port inboard   Absence of chief of staff or chief staff officer of the commander whose personal flag is flying on this ship. Although the church pennant maynotbeflownabove the national flag ashore, it may be displayed separately. The Jewish worship pennant is displayed during Jewish religious services afloat and ashore. The same rules governing the display of the church pennant apply to the display of the Jewish worship pennant. THIRD SUB—port outboard Absence of commanding officer (its use immediately shifts to the executive officer when the commanding officer departs for a period of absence of 72 hours or more). FOURTH SUB—starboard inboard Meaning Absence of a flag officer or unit commander whose personal flag or command pennant is flying on this ship. Absence of civil or military official whose flag is flying on this ship. 10-21