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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by TomTheHand (talk | contribs) at 12:44, 15 June 2007 (whoops, adjusting size (ensign should be wider than the jack because of its different aspect ratio)). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

This template is used to insert the appropriate ensign for the United States Navy into infoboxes and other places where it's useful. The template was created because the Flag of the United States changed whenever a new state was admitted. The template's intent is to make getting the right ensign easier.

To use the template, insert the following where you'd like the ensign to appear:

• {{USN flag|year|width in pixels}}

Both parameters are optional. If you do not include a year, the current ensign will be displayed. If you do not include a width, the ensign will be the right size for use in a ship infobox. The ensign will have a 1-pixel white border around it to make it stand out clearly from the blue infobox. Here are some example uses:

• {{USN flag}} gives the current ensign in infobox size:
• {{USN flag|1945}} gives the ensign as used in 1945 in infobox size: United States Navy ensign
• {{USN flag|1865|20}} gives the 1865 ensign, 20 pixels wide:

If you want to specify just a width, it is done like so:

• {{USN flag|2=20}} gives the current ensign, 20 pixels wide:
• {{USN flag|2=100}} gives the current ensign, 100 pixels wide:

A year should almost always be specified. Only leave it off when the ship is in service right now. A width should usually not be specified. Only specify a width when the template is being used someplace other than an infobox.

Also, a nitpicky usage note. The template displays the flag used at the end of the specified year. For example, the US flag changed from 46 to 60 stars on July 4, 1912. If you use {{USN flag|1912}} in an article, it will display the 60 star flag. If you want a 46 star flag for a ship that only served in early 1912, use the previous year's flag, {{USN flag|1911}}.