During special ship
evolutions a battle flag is flown from the mast of U.S. Navy Ships. The
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) battle flag continues this tradition with a
design created exclusively by her plank owner crew to honor our
namesake.? Like the ship's seal, each aspect of the battle flag has
relevance to President Reagan.? President Reagan's personal
military experience began in 1935 when he enlisted as a private in
Troop B, 322nd Cavalry ? the reason for the letter B and the numbers
322. In April of 1937 he earned a commission as a Second Lieutenant in
the Reserve Corps of Cavalry. Later that year, Ronald Reagan starred in
the motion picture, ?Sergeant Murphy?, a Hollywood movie made in part
by the 11th Cavalry Regiment. The red over white background is
reminiscent of the 11th Cavalry?s original guidon (or flag) and later,
their unit?s patch. The crossed sabers reflect those found on the cover
or cap of a Cavalry officer as early as the 1800s.? During World War
II, Lt. Reagan interrupted his acting career to join active-duty
service. In 1942, he transferred to the Army Air Corps assigned to the
1st
Motion Picture Unit in Culver City, Calif. In support of the war
effort, Lt. Reagan?s military units produced 400 military training
films, and he was promoted to Captain. On Apr. 1, 1953 his military
career ended until Jan. 20, 1981 when he was sworn in as Commander in
Chief of the U.S. Armed Forces.? The number 76 refers to the hull
number of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), a great warship named for a great
President whose service as Commander in Chief provided the strength
still needed for peace today.
PORT OF CALL - KOREA; in
2008
Submitted by Grandma Joyce. as
received from her Grandson.
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