File:US Presidential Flag Army 1898.svg

The Army's presidential flag from 1898. The Navy already had a presidential flag, but the design was very close to the Army's infantry flag, so they chose a completely different design. The Army defined both a flag and a color; the color was the same design but smaller, made of silk, and had a fringe of silver and gold. The flag was technically replaced with the Navy version in 1901, but the use of the color continued (along with the other flag design) until they were both replaced by a new flag designed during President Wilson's term in 1916.

The flag was designed by Frederick D. Owen, a civilian working in the War Department. The regulation which officially defined the flag was General Orders No. 13, issued on March 28, 1898. It read:[1]

212a. The flag of the President shall be of scarlet bunting, measuring 13 feet fly and 8 feet hoist, having a hem on the hoist 3 inches wide and provided with an eyelet at each end for hoisting and lowering. In each of the four corners shall be a five-pointed white star with one point upward. The points of these stars lie in the circumference of an imaginary circle of 5 inches radius. The centers of these imaginary circles, which coincide with the centers of these stars are 18 inches from the short sides and 14 inches from the long sides of the flag. In the center of the flag shall be a large fifth star, also of five points, which lie in the circumference of an imaginary circle of 2 feet 9 inches radius. The center of this circle is the point of intersection of the diagonals of the flag. The re-entering angles of this large star lie in the circumference of an imaginary circle of 16 inches radius, with the same center as before. Inside of the star thus outlined is a parallel star, separated from it by a band of white 3 inches wide. This inner star forms a blue field upon which is the official coat of arms of the United States as determined by the State Department, the device being located by placing the middle point of the line dividing the chief from the paleways of the escutcheon upon the point of intersection of the diagonals of the flag, and thus coinciding with the center of the large center star. On the scarlet field around the large star are other white stars, one for each State, equally scattered in the re-entering angles, and all included within the circumference of a circle of 3 feet 3 inches radius, whose center is the center of the large star.

The color was defined the same way:

214b. Of scarlet silk, 6 feet 6 inches fly and 4 feet on the pike, which shall be 10 feet long, including ferrule and head. The head shall consist of a globe, 3 inches in diameter, surmounted by an American eagle, alert, 4 inches high. In each of the four corners shall be a five pointed white star. The points of these stars lie in the circumference of an imaginary circle of 2 ½ inches radius. The centers of these imaginary circles, which coincide with the centers of these stars, are 9 inches from the short sides and 7 inches from the long sides of the color. In the center of the color shall be a large fifth star, also of five points, which lie in the circumference of an imaginary circle of 16 ½ inches radius. The center of this circle is the point of intersection of the diagonals of the color. The re-entering angles of this large star lie in the circumference of an imaginary circle of 8 inches radius, with the same center as before. Inside of the star thus outlined is a parallel star, separated from it by a band of white 1 ½ inches wide. This inner star forms a blue field, upon which is the official coat of arms of the United States as determined by the State Department, the device being located by placing the middle point of the line dividing the chief from the paleways of the escutcheon upon the point of intersection of the diagonals of the color, and thus coinciding with the center of the large center star. On the scarlet field around the large star are other white stars, one for each State, equally scattered in the re-entering angles and all included within the circumference of a circle of 19 ½ inches radius, whose center is the center of the large star. The design, letters, figures and stars are to be embroidered in silk, the same on both sides of the colors. The edges of the color are to be trimmed with knotted fringe, of silver and gold, 3 inches wide, and one cord (having two tassels) 8 feet 6 inches long and made of red, white and blue silk intermixed.