An important point of the relieving ceremony as it pertains to a Signalman is that the ship's distinctive mark always be in the air. There are occasions, for example, when commanding officers (below flag rank) being relieved are presented with the ship's commission pennant. When such a presentation is to be made, a new commission pennant must be closed up before the one to be presented is hauled down. HONORS FOR OFFICIAL INSPECTION When a flag officer or unit commander boards a ship of the Navy to make an official inspection, honors are rendered as for an official visit. The flag or pennant is broken upon arrival and is hauled down on departure. When the flag of a flag officer or unit commander is flying on board the vessel being inspected, his/her personal flag is hauled down on board the flagship unless the latter is the vessel being inspected. The same provisions apply, insofar as practical and appropriate, when a flag officer in command ashore makes an official inspection of a unit of his/her command. HONORS FOR FOREIGN MILITARY OFFICERS AND CIVIL OFFICIALS Honors rendered to foreign military officers and civil officials are essentially the same as those for United States officers and civil officials of the same rank. A foreign naval officer's flag is not, however, displayed from a US. Navy ship. Flags pictured in figure l0-5 are shown for the purpose of recognition and as an aid in determining relative seniority for rendering passing honors and the like. The national ensign of the foreign country is flown from a U.S. Navy ship when visited by a foreign officer or civil official. If the official is entitled to a 21-gun salute, the foreign ensign is flown from the main masthead. If entitled to fewer than 21 guns, it is flown from the foremast. The personal flag or command pennant normally displayed at the main would be moved to another location, as mentioned earlier for U.S. civil officials. MISCELLANEOUS FLAGS AND PENNANTS LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Explain the use of the following flags and pennants: U.S. Navy flag, United Nations flag, homeward-bound pennant, church or Jewish worship pennant, Red Cross flag, the POW/MIA flag, award flags and pennants, and the absentee pennants. The use of the following flags is a must-know for all Signalmen; take a little time and learn the procedures for their display. U.S. NAVY FLAG On 24 April 1959, the President, on the recommendation of the Secretary of the Navy, established an official flag (fig. 10-6) for the United States Navy. That was done to fulfill a need for an official flag to represent the Navy on a variety of ceremonial, parade, and display occasions. The U.S. Navy flag represents the Navy as follows: At Official ceremonies In parades During official Navy display occasions At public gatherings when the Navy is an official participant On other occasions as may be authorized by the Secretary of the Navy When used for these purposes, the Navy flag accompanies and takes the place of honor after the national flag. However, when other branches of the Armed Forces are participating, the flags take precedence in order of seniority of the services represented. UNITED NATIONS FLAG The flag of the United Nations consists of the official emblem of the United Nations in white centered on a “United Nations blue” field (fig. 10-7). The flag is flown from all buildings, offices, and other property occupied by the United Nations. The manner and circumstances of display conform, as far as appropriate, to the laws and customs applicable to the display of the national flag of the country in which the display is made. The United Nations flag is displayed at installations of the Armed Forces of the United States only upon occasions of visits of high dignitaries of the United Nations while in performance of their duties with the United Nations. When so displayed, it is displayed with the U.S. flag; both flags should be of approximately the same size and on the same level, with the flag of the United States in the position of honor on the right, the observer's left. 10-18