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 Author  Topic: Flags On PT Boats
  Greg Matthews

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Greg Matthews   Send Email To Greg Matthews Posted on: Oct 30, 2007 - 11:47am
Can anyone tell me when and if flags are flown on the boats on the bow and/or stern of the boats? The 221 boat I have and photos of other boats, show the American flag being flown from the mast/radar arch,however, there is a flag hole/mount on the bow and flag poles on the stern of my Higgins and most Elcos I've seen. Thanx.


Greg

2nd PT 221 RON 16


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newsnerd99

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message   Posted on: Oct 31, 2007 - 5:42am
My grandfather told me that when in port, a US Navy ship/boat was to fly the union jack on the bow (blue field with white stars). You'd insert the pole, and attach the jack.

The US flag (stars and stripes) flew on the top portion of the mast assembly.

Here's Pop in Ischia attaching the flag to PT 209, a 78ft Higgins:

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket


Grandson of James J Stanton
RON 15 PT-209
RON 23 PT-243

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Greg Matthews

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Greg Matthews   Send Email To Greg Matthews Posted on: Oct 31, 2007 - 5:57am
newsnerd99,

Thank you for that helpful information!

Greg

2nd PT221 RON 16


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  Jerry Gilmartin

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Jerry Gilmartin   Send Email To Jerry Gilmartin Posted on: Oct 31, 2007 - 6:48am
Hi Greg,
As far as I know, the Jack is only flown while moored or anchored from the bow. Also, the National Ensign is flown from the mast (amidships) or from the stern on the flagstaff. Higgins boats had a flagstaff that was part of their stern light. During the war, a lot of boats flew very large flags to ease their identification by friendly aircraft from their radar mast. Here is a photo of the PT658 48 star Jack being presented to our organizations President Harry Wiedemier by Harry Doem. Jerry PT658

Also the other is the Little Poison flying its Jack while in drydock.


Jerry Gilmartin

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Will Day

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Will Day   Send Email To Will Day Posted on: Oct 31, 2007 - 9:45am
Not sure it this was the case throughout the war, but at one time the regulations specified that the when not underway, the union jack would be displayed on the bow and the national colors at the stern; when underway the jack was stowed and the colors flew from the mast....

Will

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CJ Willis

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of CJ Willis  Posted on: Oct 31, 2007 - 2:12pm
In combat we never flew the flag from anywhere but the radar mast.

C. J. Willis

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  Greg Matthews

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Greg Matthews   Send Email To Greg Matthews Posted on: Oct 31, 2007 - 4:49pm
CJ, Will and Jerry,


Thank you guys very much! I am trying to improve on the realism of my 4 foot model of the 221. You've helped greatly!


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Frank J Andruss Sr

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Frank J Andruss Sr   Send Email To Frank J Andruss Sr Posted on: Nov 24, 2007 - 9:24am
Hello Guys

I just purchased a Jack Flag from the Skipper of PT 542. I will display this in my Exhibit and have purchased a wooden pole and stand. I need to cut down the pole but I am not sure the lenth of these Bow poles used on the boats during WWII. They look to be maybe 3 feet in lenth, but I could be wrong. I will say that the ends of the jack never touched the deck? Please get back with me...........


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newsnerd99

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message   Posted on: Dec 4, 2007 - 12:48am
Three feet would be a good guess for me...that photo of my grandfather on the bow above has the wooden pole about half his height, which was around six foot.

Grandson of James J Stanton
RON 15 PT-209
RON 23 PT-243
Check out: www.pistolpackinmama.net

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