[Peter Ansoff]

Hi, again!

I've seen this language on several web sites that deal with the POW/MIA flag:

Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action come from every state, thus the POW/MIA flag has precedence over state flags. The following guidelines should be followed in flying the POW/MIA flag:

If flying the flag from ONE FLAG POLE, the POW/MIA flag is flown directly below the National Colors. . . .

I don't know who originally wrote this language. However, the statement that the POW/MIA flag has precedence over state flags not correct according to US military regulations -- they are clear that state flags take precedence over the POW/MIA flag. (See my previous post for the references.) According to military precedence, the order should be US flag, state flag, POW/MIA flag if they are all on the same pole.

Civilians don't have to follow military regulations, and non-military organizations are free to make up their own rules. However, one would think that they would want to follow military regs on a matter of this sort.

Peter Ansoff

[namvet]

thank you gentlemen, have a lovely day, and by trhe way what are your locations? iam in south central tennessee.

[american_flag_uk]

well firstly.... i am a female !

im 23 years old from England

[YCHistorian]

Originally Posted by Peter Ansoff

BTW, I presented a paper at the annual NAVA conference back in 2002 on the history of the First Navy Jack. My conclusion was that it probably did not exist during the Revolutionary War, but was the result of a misunderstanding by 19th century historians. The paper was published in the NAVA Journal, "Raven" in 2004.

I hope this answers your questions.

Peter Ansoff

==================================================
Peter,

I would really like to read your paper. Do you have an electronic copy (PDF) that you can email to me? Alternatively, a hard copy would suffice. I checked the NAVA website and it's not online. Thanks!
-YC

[dkimmel]

While searching for the correct order to display a series of flags, I found this thread. I also found the following site: Military Flags (U.S.)

It refers to a House Resolution 1119 from 1998 that mandates the display of the POW flag between the US colors and a state flag, when flown from the same staff.

However, I am still uncertain of how to properly honor my country, POWs, my state, a local Army Reserve battalion, and my branch of service (USAF) on one staff.

If I have all the facts straight, it should be US, POW, IL, USA, USAF. Normally, it would not be necessary to create such a display but I am participating in a parade to honor a returning reserve unit and wish to appropriately honor and represent all.

An e-mail response to this dilemma would be greatly appreciated.

dkpkimmel@gmail.com

Thank you,

David Kimmel, TSG Retired, USAF

[Peter Ansoff]

Greetings, David; welcome to the forum!

It refers to a House Resolution 1119 from 1998 that mandates the display of the POW flag between the US colors and a state flag, when flown from the same staff.

This is a tricky one. That language is from the House version of the 1998 National Defense Authorization Act. However, the version of the NDAA that was actually signed into law (PL 105-85, of 18 Nov 97), did not include the "Protocol" section from the House version, or any other guidance on the precedence of the POW/MIA flag. The current section of the US Code that deals with the POW/MIA flag (36 USC Subtitle IA section 902), does not address the precedence of the POW/MIA flag either.

(For what it's worth, that original House language did not make too much sense. It only addressed display of the POW/MIA flag at certain specific federal installations. State flags are not usually displayed at such locations anyway).

Fortunately, however, the issue is addressed in military regulations. The US Air Force Protocol Manual (AFI 34-1201) gives a detailed breakdown of flag precedence in paragraph 2.11. Based on this reference, the order of your display should be US flag, state flag, Army flag, USAF flag, POW/MIA flag. Subpar 2.11.10 states specifically that "The POW/MIA flag will always be last in any flag display."

I'm assuming here that the Army flag in your display is the Department of the Army flag, rather than the flag of the Reserve Battalion that you are honoring. If it's the battalion flag, then it should come after the USAF flag and before the POW/MIA flag.

I hope this clears things up. Again, welcome aboard!

Peter Ansoff