U.S. Marine Corps Outdoor Flag

Show your support for our active & retired Military Personnel.  

Outdoor Flags: Manufactured with 100% SolarGuard Nylon or Polyester which is designed to resist fading with normal use. Durable and fast drying. Lightweight nylon material will fly in the lightest breeze.  Features a strong duck heading and two large brass grommets. 

*Made in the U.S.A. 

“Always Faithful”: The Proud History of the U.S. Marine Corps Flag

At Gates Flag & Banner, we often say that some flags demand more than just respect—they demand reverence. The United States Marine Corps flag is one of them. It’s a banner steeped in legacy, duty, and fierce pride. Whether it’s leading a parade, flying at a military installation, or carried by a young Marine graduating boot camp, this flag is more than a symbol—it’s a statement of identity.

Let’s take a look at the history of the USMC flag, from battlefield banners of the 18th century to the iconic red standard that inspires Marines and civilians alike today.

The Early Days: Before the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor

The United States Marine Corps was founded on November 10, 1775, at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia. But like many early American military units, the Marines didn’t have an official standardized flag during the Revolutionary War. Units carried various banners depending on the battle or post, and often borrowed from naval traditions.

One of the earliest known references to a Marine Corps flag dates back to the Mexican-American War (1846–1848), where Marines were reportedly seen carrying a blue flag with gold fringe and an eagle design. However, no single, official design existed across the Corps.

A Flag Evolves with the Corps

By the late 19th century, the Marine Corps began using a flag with more consistency. Around 1876, the Corps introduced a flag design featuring a blue field with the U.S. coat of arms in the center. This banner would evolve several times as the Marines' role and visual identity grew.

But it wasn’t until the 1930s that the Marine Corps adopted the scarlet and gold flag we recognize today. In 1939, the Commandant of the Marine Corps approved a design that featured the Marine Corps emblem (the eagle, globe, and anchor) in gold and gray, set against a vivid scarlet field—the official colors of the Corps.

And with that, a powerful symbol was born.

The Modern Flag: Every Element Tells a Story

The current U.S. Marine Corps flag is simple, bold, and unmistakable:

• A scarlet red field

• The Marine Corps emblem—an eagle perched atop a globe, with an anchor in the background—centered in gold and gray

• A flowing scroll with the words:
  "United States Marine Corps"

Each element is rich with symbolism:

• The eagle represents the United States.

• The globe signifies the Corps’ worldwide presence.

• The anchor speaks to its naval heritage.

• And the motto “Semper Fidelis” ("Always Faithful")—though not featured on the flag itself—is embodied in every seam.

At Gates Flag & Banner, we treat every USMC flag as a work of honor. Whether we’re making a flag for a recruiting station, a retirement ceremony, or a Memorial Day display, we know that this flag carries a legacy of sacrifice and strength.

Campaign Streamers: A Legacy of Valor

One of the most striking features of the Marine Corps flag is its array of battle streamers. Attached above the flag, these streamers commemorate the Marines’ participation in wars and campaigns dating back to the Revolutionary War.

Each streamer—decorated with embroidered campaign names and colors—represents a chapter in the Corps’ unmatched combat history: from Belleau Wood and Iwo Jima to Fallujah and beyond. As of today, there are over 50 streamers affixed to the ceremonial flag.

We take pride in producing these streamers to precise military specifications. Each one is a testament to bravery, stitched with care and respect.

Flying with Purpose

Today, the Marine Corps flag is a familiar sight at military installations, federal buildings, and patriotic events. But for Marines—active, retired, and fallen—it represents something deeply personal: a lifelong commitment to country, corps, and comrades.

At Gates Flag & Banner, we’re honored to produce Marine Corps flags that serve every purpose—from ceremony to commemoration. Every bolt of scarlet cloth, every gold emblem, every hand-sewn seam echoes the Corps’ commitment to being “The Few. The Proud.”