Originally Developed in 1799!! Coast Guard Ensign.

Size 4 - 30" x 48" Sixteen perpendicular stripes (for the number of states in the United States at the time), alternate red and white, the union of the ensign to be the arms of the United States in a dark blue on a white field.

The Coast Guard ensign is the visible symbol of that law enforcement authority and is recognized all over the world as such. It is required by law to be flown by Coast Guard vessels engaged in law enforcement as a symbol of their law enforcement authority. That's why the ensign exists. Since law enforcement is one of the Coast Guard's core missions, all CG vessels are always ready to conduct that mission and are required to fly the ensign. The Coast Guard's law enforcement authority and mission is also the reason it was an agency within the Department of Transportation, while the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force are all within the Defense Department.

Government specification flag made by Valley Forge flag company. Made in USA

The Coast Guard ensign is the visible symbol of that law enforcement authority and is recognized all over the world as such. It is required by law to be flown by Coast Guard vessels engaged in law enforcement as a symbol of their law enforcement authority. That's why the ensign exists. Since law enforcement is one of the Coast Guard's core missions, all CG vessels are always ready to conduct that mission and are required to fly the ensign. The Coast Guard's law enforcement authority and mission is also the reason it was an agency within the Department of Transportation, while the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force are all within the Defense Department.