First Navy Jack Flag

The First Navy Jack consists of thirteen red and white stripes with an uncoiled rattlesnake and the words Don't Tread of Me underneath. The rattlesnake had been a symbol in the colonies of resistance and defiance to the Crown. The rattle has thirteen layers, signifying the original Thirteen Colonies. Additionally, the snake does not strike until provoked, a characteristic expressed by the phrase "Don't tread on me."  See Gadsden Flag & Culpeper Flag

It was the naval jack of the United States from 1975 to 1976 and again from 2002 to 2019. It was authorized by the U.S. Navy and was flown from commissioned vessels of the U.S. Navy while moored pierside or at anchor. Since then, it is used only as a naval jack by the oldest active warship in the U.S. Navy. The design is traditionally regarded as that of the first U.S. naval jack, flown soon after independence, but this is not supported by the historical record.

The First Navy Jack was replaced as the U.S. naval jack by the U.S. Union Jack on June 4, 2019, by order of the Chief of Naval Operations.