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I can't back any of this up with references,...

Originally Posted by sail_aloha

I can't back any of this up with references, but here is my understanding. This is based upon 15 years of service with the U.S. Army serving aboard various ships. A flag is flown from a staff when it is flown on land. A flag flown aboard ship is flown from a mast. Therefore, if the flag is on land on Memorial Day, it is flown at half staff. Likewise, if a flag is flown from a ship on Memorial Day, it is flown at half mast. I would be interested in any comments regarding my understanding of this topic.

Regards,

CW3 Scott

You're absolutely right, as far as I know. The U.S. Flag Code refers to flags on land as being flown on staffs, and as far as my understanding goes you call it a staff on land and a mast at sea.

The only actual reference I have to back this up is the Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual, which states that "on ships and at naval stations ashore" flagpoles are referred to as masts. Elsewhere they are staffs.

I hope this clears up the confusion!

Sarah