Size: 121 in (10 feet 1 inches) x 60 in (5 feet)

This extremely rare WWII large type U.S. Navy Flag is marked “U.S. NO. 7 MI 44”. This flag was made at Mare Island Naval Station in San Francisco Bay, in 1944 (marked "MI 44"). The MI base became home to what was known as the Pacific Fleet, and remained so until the threat of Japanese expansionism caused the shift to a more advanced position at Pearl Harbor. This flag is in near perfect mint and unissued condition, making it one of only a small handful of WWII era 1944 Mare Island Naval flags of this mint caliber known to exist in the world. The NO. 7 type flag type is historically documented as being issued and flown on large WWII Naval ships such as the Destroyer, Battleship, Carrier types. The NO. 7 marked flag is one of the most sought after MI number (No.) marks by collectors. The two main Iwo Jima flags were a #11 and later a #7, both made at Mare Island.    

Because of the high demand of military and Naval flags, unissued flags of this caliber are almost rarely seen and are reserved for high end war museums. The U.S. Navy numbers its flags 1 through 12, one being the largest and 12 the smallest. This flag being marked No. 7 would have been reserved Destroyer, Battleship, Carrier types. 

Mare Island Naval Shipyard was the first naval base on the west coast of the United States. It is 25 miles northeast of San Francisco, near Vallejo, California. During WWII the base was used for ship building and repair. There were 46,000 workers employed there during the war. It comprised over 900 buildings, and the base closed in 1996. The flag loft employed 500 workers, 400 women doing their part by working 8 hours a day 6 days a week. Flag No. 7 was designated on the U.S. Ensign R.I.F. Chart to be hoist at 117” fly height.

What makes this flag even more rare are the hand painted white 48 stars seen on the crisp blue fabric. The MI 44 stamp is very prominent with almost no sun damage and pristine preservation of the fabric stitching, color, and almost untouched Naval attachment rope/clasp.