U.S. Air Force Flag History

The U.S. Air Force flag was approved on March 26, 1951. The flag included the coat of arms, 13 white stars and the Air Force Seal on a blue background. The Air Force Seal was approved by Harry S. Truman on November 1, 1947. The entire design used on the shield is taken from the heraldic representation of the mythological thunderbolt, also known as Jupiter's thunderbolt. At the honor point of the shield is a lightning bolt conceived of as the missile cast to earth in the lightning flash. The pair of wings and smaller lightning flashes surrounding the bolt completes the design. The eagle's head is turned to the right and symbolizes facing the enemy-looking toward the future, and not dwelling on past actions. The colors ultramarine blue and gold are the colors of the Air Force. The 13 stars represent the 13 original colonies, the three star grouping at the top portray the three Departments of the National Defense Establishment. (Army, Navy, and Air Force) The crest includes the American bald eagle, the cloud formation depicts the creation of a new firmament, and the wreath, composed of six alternate folds of silver and blue, incorporate the colors of the basic shield design. The roman numerals beneath the shield indicate the year 1947, in which the Air Force was established.

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