Description:

DAVID INGALLS' UNIQUE "ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE NAVY AERO" FLAG, USED BY THE NAVY'S FIRST "ACE"
A likely unique flag, a two sided 82" x 56" linen flag bearing a red fouled anchor emblem at center which itself is surrounded by four red stars. All of these emblems have been expertly sewn to the white field end embellished with white embroidery. The canvas hoist is stenciled in black: "ASST SEC OF NAVY AERO 4 N.Y. NAV. SHIPYD.". But for a few scattered small holes and some soiling, this rare flag is in excellent condition. This flag, images of which we cannot locate, was issued to DAVID S. INGALLS (1899-1985). Ingalls flew Sopwiths with the British and became the Navy's first ace, downing six German aircraft during World War II. During the Hoover Administration, President Hoover appointed Ingalls "Assistant Secretary of the Navy (AIR)" and at that time this flag became the official flag of his office. During his tenure Ingalls tripled the number of naval aircraft and pushed for a fully deployable carrier task force. During World War II, Ingalls would command the Pearl Harbor Naval Air Station. The official flag of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, created in 1892, bears the same design, but the symbols are BLUE...Ingalls' flag, for the air arm of the Navy, was apparently distinguished through the use of RED symbols. It appears that the use of this flag design lasted only the length of Ingalls' tenure, thus this is one of the rarest governmental flag obtainable.

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May 25, 2016 10:30 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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