US Marine Flags

The United States Marine Corp flag displays a gray and golden emblem, the Corps Emblem on a scarlet red field. The US Marine corp flag was adopted in 1939 despite the fact that the official colors of the Marine Corps were established in 1925 as scarlet red and gold.

The Marine Corps emblem centered on the flag is the so-called Eagle, Globe and Anchor (EGA). The currently used official emblem has deep roots in the Marine Corps history. It took its present design in 1868 and is as old as the Continental Marines and the British Royal Marines.

The Marine corps emblem consists of a globe that is intersected by a so called “fouled anchor” with a American bald eagle with wings spread sitting on the top of the globe. A fouled anchor is an anchor that is at least once if not more times wrapped with the chain. The globe displays the Western Hemisphere. In the eagles beak a banner with the words “Semper Fidelis” (Always faithful) is the official used motto by the Marine Corps. History tells us that the original basic design for the emblem came from the “Globe and Laurel” of the Royal Marines. The globe represents the Marine Corps continuing service anywhere in the world. As with many American emblems and flags the bald eagle represents the United States. The Anchor that is displayed as a fouled anchor dates back to the founding days of the Marine Corps in 1775. It represents the naval tradition and connection of the Marines and their service under the wing of the Department of the Navy. Below the emblem is a white banner displaying in big red letters the words “UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS”.

Several different Us Marine corps flags have existed and were in use in the history of the Marine Corps, but most of them carried some version of the eagle, globe and anchor emblem.

An indoor parade version of the current US Marine Corp flag has a golden-fringed rim, while the outdoor version is rather plain. United States Marine Corps flags are also available for sale for the general public. Flag stores across the United States as well as many online retailers sell different sizes and also versions of the US Marine Corp flags. Some versions have a golden fringe; some are made from cotton, silk or nylon. For especially valuable or honorable flags, shadow and display cases are available.