The American military flag for the United States Army was created in 1956. The Annin U.S. Army Military Flag has a white background with emblems in blue and red -- national colors. The design was based on the Army seal adopted in 1779 by the Continental Congress. The military support flag includes a cuirass (breast plate) that represents the Army defending the nation. There is also a liberty cap of the type used in the Roman Empire and a pike carried by certain military officers. Cannon, cannonballs, a mortar, powder flask, and a rattlesnake (such as appeared on some Revolutionary War flags) complete the design of these military service flags. The date at the bottom (1776) indicates the year the United States Army was officially established.