U.S. Department of War (DOW) Sewn Flag

U.S. Department of War (DOW) – Sewn Flag

SKU: U.S. Department of War (DOW) - Sewn Flag

Choose your options Call-in item. Review what you need, then call or request a quote.
Mounting
Sides
Size
Quantity
Ask about pricing on sets for several offices
Your selection: Review your options above
Call 703-751-2411 or use the Request a Quote button below. Your selection goes with it.

U.S. Department of War (DOW) - Sewn Flag

  • Official Department of War design on nylon, made in the USA
  • Appliquéd (satin stitch) and embroidered (fill stitch) by hand
  • Single-sided or double-sided (double-reverse, double-paneled or single field double seal); pole hem, fringed pole hem or grommets
  • 3x4 FT, 3x5 FT, 4x6 FT, 52x66 IN

Product Description

The U.S. Department of War (DOW) Sewn Flag is appliquéd and embroidered by hand in our Alexandria, Virginia shop. Each color of the Department of War’s official emblem is cut from fabric and satin stitched to the nylon field, lettering and fine detail are embroidered with a fill stitch, and the flag is made in the USA. Most sewn flags are finished with a pole hem for indoor and ceremonial display; order it with grommets if it will fly on an outdoor pole.

This is a call-in item, so you choose the details with us. Order the DOW sewn flag single-sided or double-sided, with a pole hem, a fringed pole hem or grommets, in 3x4 FT, 3x5 FT, 4x6 FT or 52x66 IN. Review your options above, then call 703-751-2411 or request a quote and we will confirm the details before production.

The Department of War is the executive department that oversees the United States Armed Forces: the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Space Force. It is headquartered at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and it is the largest employer in the federal government.

Choose Your Options

Every U.S. Department of War (DOW) Sewn Flag is made to order, so tell us how you want it built. These are the choices.

Pole hem illustration for the U.S. Department of War (DOW) Sewn Flag: a sewn sleeve along the hoist edge slides over the pole
Pole hem: a sewn sleeve that slides over the pole
Illustration of an indoor flag with a pole hem and gold fringe on three edges
Pole hem with fringe: gold rayon trim on three edges
Close-up illustration of two brass grommets set into a canvas flag header
Grommets: brass rings in a canvas header, for an outdoor pole
Single-sided flag: the design is on the front only and the back is blankNCFFRONTBLANKBACK
Single-sided: design on the front, blank back
Double-sided, double-reverse: one layer of fabric, the design shows through on the back in reverseNCFFRONTNCFREADS IN REVERSEBACK
Double-sided (double-reverse): design shows through in reverse
Double-sided, double-paneled: two panels sewn back to back so the design reads correctly on both sidesNCFFRONTNCFSECOND PANEL, SEWN BACK TO BACKBACK
Double-sided (double-paneled): reads correctly on both sides
Double-sided, single field double seal: one field with the seal on the front and a second seal tacked to the backNCFFRONTNCFSECOND SEAL TACKED ONBACK
Double-sided (single field, double seal): second seal on the back

  • Mounting: A pole hem is a sewn sleeve along the hoist edge that slides over an indoor or parade pole. A pole hem with fringe adds gold rayon fringe on three edges, the traditional ceremonial finish. Grommets are brass rings set into a canvas header, the standard finish for an outdoor flagpole.
  • Single-sided or double-sided: A single-sided flag carries the design on the front only; the back is blank. A double-sided flag shows the design on both sides and is built one of three ways:
    • Double-reverse: one layer of fabric, so the appliqué shows through on the back in reverse. The lightest build.
    • Double-paneled: two panels sewn back to back, so the design reads correctly on both sides. The heaviest build, and it needs the most wind to fly.
    • Single field, double seal: one field with the emblem on the front and a second emblem tacked to the back, so the seal reads correctly from either side without the weight of two panels.
  • Sewn construction: Each color of the emblem is cut from fabric and appliquéd to the field with a satin stitch. Lettering and fine detail are embroidered with a fill stitch. The result stands in relief and reads across a room.
  • Size: 3x4 FT, 3x5 FT, 4x6 FT, 52x66 IN. For another size, give us the finished width and height you need.

Product Features

  • Official Department of War design: the U.S. Department of War (DOW) Sewn Flag carries the Department of War’s official emblem, reproduced to the agency’s design in the mounting and size you order.
  • Sewn construction: each element of the emblem is cut from fabric and satin stitched to the nylon field, with lettering and fine detail embroidered in fill stitch, so the design stands in relief and reads across a room.
  • Nylon field: lightweight nylon that hangs well on an indoor pole and carries cleanly in a parade.
  • Built your way: single-sided or double-sided (double-reverse, double-paneled or single field double seal); pole hem, fringed pole hem or grommets; 3x4 FT, 3x5 FT, 4x6 FT, 52x66 IN.
  • Made in the USA: every DOW flag we sell is made in the USA.
  • Matched sets: order one flag or a set for every office, and the mounting and size will be the same on each.

President George Washington signed the law creating the Department of War on August 7, 1789, and Henry Knox became the first Secretary of War. For more than 150 years the department ran the Army, while a separate Department of the Navy, created in 1798, ran the fleet.

The National Security Act of 1947, enacted July 26, 1947, placed the armed forces under a new National Military Establishment headed by a Secretary of Defense. The act replaced the War Department with the Department of the Army and created a separate Department of the Air Force. The National Security Act Amendments of 1949, enacted August 10, 1949, renamed the establishment the Department of Defense. Executive Order 14347 of September 5, 2025 authorized Department of War as a secondary title, and statutory references to the Department of Defense remain controlling until Congress changes them by law.

Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson authorized the department's first seal in 1949, and Joint Army and Air Force Bulletin No. 23 sets out its design and symbolism. In September 2025 the seal was updated for the secondary title. It now reads Department of War at the top and United States of America at the bottom.

U.S. Department of War (DOW) Flag: Symbolism at a Glance

  • Eagle: The American bald eagle, an emblem of strength. Facing to its right, it marks the field of honor.
  • Shield of 13 pieces: The United States, which the eagle defends. The blue chief that joins the pieces represents Congress.
  • Stars and rays: The arc of 13 stars with rays above the eagle signifies glory.
  • Three crossed arrows: Together, the three component parts of the department.
  • Laurel and olive: The laurel stands for honors received in combat defending the peace, which the olive branch represents.

  • Product: U.S. Department of War (DOW) Sewn Flag
  • Material: Nylon
  • Construction: Appliqué (satin stitch) and embroidery (fill stitch) on nylon
  • Mounting: Pole hem, pole hem with gold rayon fringe, or canvas header with brass grommets
  • Sides: Single-sided or double-sided (double-reverse, double-paneled or single field double seal)
  • Sizes: 3x4 FT, 3x5 FT, 4x6 FT, 52x66 IN
  • Display: Indoor and ceremonial with a pole hem; outdoor with grommets
  • Origin: Made in the USA
  • Ordering: Call 703-751-2411 or request a quote; this item is not sold online
  • Hardware: Indoor poles, floor stands, finials, outdoor poles and halyard are in Hardware and Accessories

  • Pentagon offices and military headquarters
  • Service academies, bases and recruiting stations
  • Change-of-command and retirement ceremonies
  • Veterans organizations and military museums
  • Defense contractors and program offices
  • Post it beside the American flag at a podium, or carry it on a parade pole

Which options can I choose on the U.S. Department of War (DOW) Sewn Flag?

Single-sided or double-sided; a pole hem, a fringed pole hem or grommets; and 3x4 FT, 3x5 FT, 4x6 FT or 52x66 IN. Review them above, then call or request a quote.

How is a double-sided flag made?

Three ways. Double-reverse is one layer of fabric, so the design shows through on the back in reverse; it is the lightest build and flies in the least wind. Double-paneled is two panels sewn back to back, so the design reads correctly on both sides; it is the heaviest. Single field, double seal is one field with a second emblem tacked to the back, so the seal reads correctly from either side at close to single-layer weight.

For a flag seen from both sides indoors, double-paneled or single field double seal reads best. For an outdoor pole, double-reverse flies most easily. Tell us where the flag will hang and we will recommend one.

Should I order the Department of War flag sewn or printed?

Sewn appliqué and embroidery gives the emblem relief and texture, and it is the traditional choice for a ceremonial flag indoors. Printed reproduces fine seal detail exactly and is the usual choice for an outdoor flagpole. Both are made in the USA. If you are unsure, tell us where the flag will be displayed and we will recommend one.

How is the DOW sewn flag stitched?

Each color of the emblem is cut from fabric and appliquéd to the nylon field with a satin stitch, a dense zigzag that seals the edge of every piece. Lettering and fine detail are embroidered with a fill stitch. Both are done by hand in our Alexandria, Virginia shop.

Can the DOW sewn flag be flown outdoors?

Yes, finished with grommets. A pole hem and fringe is for indoor and parade use, because a ceremonial finish wears quickly in weather. For a flag that flies every day, the DOW printed flag is the usual choice.

How is the Department of War flag flown with the American flag?

The American flag takes the position of honor. On separate poles of the same height it flies on its own right, which is the viewer’s left. When two flags share one halyard, the American flag is at the peak and the Department of War flag flies below it.

How do I order the U.S. Department of War (DOW) Sewn Flag?

It is a call-in item. Review your options above, then call 703-751-2411 or send them through our contact page with the quantity you need. We confirm the details before anything goes into production. Agencies that order the DOW flag for several locations can ask about a business account, and we keep the DOW flag design on file so reorders match the first set. Browse the full government agency flag collection for other departments, or read about our appliqué and embroidery and custom printing.

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