Memorandum of a Conference Regarding Flag Design

THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON MEMORANDUM OF CONFERENCE WITH THE PRESIDENT . Cabinet Room, November 19, 1958 Attending: The President, Secretaries McElroy and Anderson, Under Secretary Herter, Mr. David Finley, Mr. Merriam, Mr. Hagerty, group of QMC officers, Major John Eisenhower. Colonel J. D. Martz, QMC, made a fifteen minute presentation on the design of the flag in past years. This brought out that uniformity of de- - sign did not exist up until the 20th century. In the early 19th century President Monroe ordered a uniform design for the military services but civilian flags continued to feature alternative designs. The presentation also revealed that the stars have been arranged in many different patterns but that the most common patterns were (1) a regular arrangement of stars in horizontal and vertical rows whenever this was arithmetically possible, and (2) arrangement in staggered rows. Following the presentation, the President indicated his preference for a new design of 7 rows of 7 stars each in a staggered arrangement. He stated that this arrangement was more flexible and would allow greater uniformity and continuity through the years, since the alternative of horizontal and vertical rows could be used only occasionally when the mathematics permitted. He wished to give the general impression throughout the world of the greatest possible uniformity in our flag from now on. Mr. Finley had a personal preference for the non-staggered design but thought both possibilities were very handsome, and he emphasized as most important the need for maintaining the relative size of the blue field. Mr. Herter stated Secretary Dulles' acceptance of either design so long as there would be 7 rows of 7 stars, staggered or not staggered. Secretary Anderson and Secretary McElroy both liked the staggered ar - rangement because it would allow a 50th star to be added with a minimum of change. The President indicated that he preferred the staggered arrangement even without taking into consideration the prospect of addi- - tional stars in the future, for straight rows horizontally and vertically seemed too stiff.