Maine Flag and Banner

DECEMBER 7th is PEARL HARBOR DAY

There are several days in modern history that have changed the world; December 7th, 1941 was one. Because there are so very few alive today to relay any first hand stories of the impact upon their lives when Pearl Harbor, Hawaii was attacked on that early Sunday morning, we only have remnants of objects to help tell the story. We will feature some flags that have been preserved from that day.

Flag Flown over Pacific Fleet HQ

In September 2017 a tattered woolen 48 star American flag that was flown over the Pacific Fleet Headquarters during the Pearl Harbor attack was sold at auction for $90,000. A civilian contractor acquired the flag during his assistance in the cleanup of the naval facilities after the attack.

Flag Found on the USS Arizona

The most well known object in Pearl Harbor is the memorial of the submerged USS Arizona. One 3’x5’ oil stained American flag that was on the ship when she sank was rescued. According to the May 1942 letter written by the salvage engineer, the flag belonged to one of two boats that were housed on the deck, either the captain's gig or the admiral's barge. This letter along with the flag was presented to the American Legion in Hawaii. They in turn gave them to the Arizona Capitol Museum in the 1990s where is currently housed.

Flag Flown on the USS Ralph Talbot

Another American flag that was documented to be flying during the Japanese attack was on the USS Ralph Talbot. Fortunately, her damage was not consequential and the flag flew until February 1, 1942. A petty officer from Kansas convinced the sailor replacing the flag to give him the tattered flag instead of the usual naval procedure. Mr. Sharitt Baker, the petty officer, donated the flag to the Kansas Historical Society in 2015.

Flag Flown on the USS St. Louis and USS Iowa

One of the most interesting is the 48 star American flag that was at the beginning and the end of World War II. The battle torn flag that was flying on the USS St. Louis during the attack was hoisted on the USS Iowa in Tokyo Bay during the Japanese signing of the Instrument of Surrender on the deck of the U.S.S Missouri on September 2, 1945.
Ralph Youmans, a sailor on both the St. Louis on December 7th and the Iowa during the signing of the surrender, donated it to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in 1975.

Flag Flown over the Capitol on 12/7/1941

Although not flying in Pearl Harbor nor on board a ship, the flag that was flying over our nation’s capitol building holds great significance because it was flown over the three capital cities of the defeated Axis -Berlin, Germany; Tokyo, Japan; and Rome, Italy. This is a photo the flag being presented back to the U.S. Capitol in April of 1948 by the Third Infantry Division consisting of World War II veterans.

Some of the remnants of Pearl Harbor are literally flag remnants. They are not only symbols of the horrors of that fateful day but also bring to mind the line in our national anthem written during the War of 1812 “... that our flag was still there.” She became the rallying symbol for all Americans.

I hope you will take a moment to reflect upon what could have been without the bravery and commitment of our Armed Forces and a generation of Americans that sacrificed so much for our future.

Maine Flag and Banner

824 Roosevelt Trail, Unit #4

Windham, ME 04062

(207) 893-0339

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Maine Flag & Banner is a unique family owned store located in the beautiful Sebago Lakes Region of southern Maine. Our store is full of fun colorful things that blow in the wind. Windsocks, spinners and banners abound.
Looking for flags? Your pride of country, state and heritage can be displayed proudly with U.S., state, military, or foreign flags, all made in America.
If you have a business, the multitude of choices in colors and sizes of OPEN flags lets your customers know you are there and ready to serve. For home owners, a large variety of decorative, seasonal, sports and everyday banners make your home stand out and are in stock for your convenience.
Of course, we carry all the hardware and accessories to show off all the fun stuff. Maine Flag also sells flagpoles from 15' and up to 100'!
Come on in for a friendly, helpful and knowledgeable experience.