Name/Title
USS Snook Battle FlagEntry/Object ID
M2013.003.001Description
Battle flag of the USS Snook, made either late World War 2, or post War, but not manufactured on board.Collection
Flags CollectionMade/Created
Notes
Date: mid-20th century [?]Lexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Primary Object Term
FlagNomenclature Sub-Class
Organizational ObjectsNomenclature Class
Ceremonial ObjectsNomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication ObjectsInterpretative Labels
Label
During the Second World War, on board US submarines, crew kept unofficial score of the enemy vessels they had sunk by producing “battle flags.” In the Pacific campaign, Japanese merchant vessels were represented by a red disk on a white background and warships by the rising sun motif of the Imperial Japanese Navy. The vessel’s namesake mascot – a cartoon fish – was also portrayed on the battle flag. The designs for these mascots were produced by Disney Studios as a contribution to war effort. Such flags were a symbol of the close bonds and esprit de corps found among the members of the “Silent Service.”