U.S. Army Air Force, Major General's flag, Hoyt S. Vandenberg, Deputy Air Commander-in-Chief,S.H.A.E.F., HQ,1944.
The United States Army Air Force (abbreviated as USAAF) headquarters was responsible for every US Army air operation during World War II. The USAAF HQ housed all major components of the US Air Force; including the US Army Air Corps (USAAC) and all the essential support units such as engineers, MPs, medics, antiaircraft battalions, etc. Consequently, it was an operational command headquarters whilst the USAAC itself was actually just a branch of the US Army.
In fact, overtime USAACs functions were assumed by the USAAF HQ and by the time the war was coming to a close, USAACs existence was actually essentially only formal. The USAAF, however, was to become fully independent of the armed forces, in all but name. The colors of the USAAC were ultramarine blue and golden orange; these colors were also used for USAAF flags. Higher formations, such as numbered air forces, generally displayed the authorized shoulder sleeve insignia (SSI) on their distinguishing flags. Operationally, numbered air forces were the senior field headquarters, equivalent to a corps; under them came commands, air divisions, wings and groups.
The Commanding General of USAAF was authorized a personal silk color. The Dimensions were 4 feet 4 inches at the hoist by 5 feet 6 inches on the fly plus 2 1/2 inch fringe. The field was ultramarine blue and the fringe was golden orange. Centered on the color was the USAAF SSI with its ultramarine blue disk indistinguishable against the flag's field. The SSI was flanked by four stars denoting the Commanding General's rank. A field and boat flag version of the color was also authorized. Other general officers assigned to the staffs of the USAAF and the USAAC were authorized field and boat flags, with stars according to rank. For major generals, the stars flanked the insignia as shown; for brigadier generals, one star was placed above the insignia. All field and boat flags were made of wool bunting, 3 feet at the hoist by 4 feet on the fly.
This is a large linsey-woolsey flag exhibiting blue field with Army Air Corps insignia in center with star to left and right, flag measures 35" x 64" and presents canvas pole sleeve with interior leather tabs as well as grommets at top and bottom. Flag exhibits some moth damage. It is highly likely that this is the personal flag of Maj. Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg (U.S.), Deputy Air Commander-in-Chief, SHAEF
ZFC Significant Flag
Sources:
Army - Air Corps (U.S.), Flags of the World, 5 October 2011, from: http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/us%5Earac.html
UNITED STATES ARMY AIR FORCE FLAGS, 1944 Regulations, War Flags Through the Ages & Around the World, , 1 October 2011, from: http://tmg110.tripod.com/usafh1.htm
Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force, Wikipedia, 25 October 2011, from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Headquarters_Allied_Expeditionary_Force
Hoyt Sanford Vandenberg, Wikipedia, 25 October 2011, from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoyt_Vandenberg
Image Credits:
Zaricor Flag Collection
