48 star American national flag, made during World War II (U.S. involvement 1941-45) and signed along the reverse side of the hoist with a black stencil that reads: "U.S. NO. 11 MI 44”[ meaning, United States ensign number 11, Mare Island, 1944]. Flag Size: 29" x 57" The canton and stripes of the flag are made of wool bunting that has been pieced and sewn with machine stitching. The stars are stamped in white paint. This is a known technique in use in the manufacture of U.S. naval ensigns at the time. There is a heavy canvas binding along the hoist with three white metal grommets. The weight of the wool and the stalwart construction is typical of what the Navy preferred for its flags in this period. The fabric is heavier grade than what was typically employed in commercially-made flags and the fly end is bound with 4 rows of stitching instead of the usual two encountered in standard, commercially-made flags. “No. 11” along the hoist binding is a size designation for U.S. Navy small boat ensigns. Condition: There are several small holes in the flag, a small tear at the first star.