--- title: "These 13 photos of US troops with enemy flags show some traditions never die" description: "American troops have captured a lot of enemy flags over the years. Here are 13 photos that illustrate the tradition throughout the years." date: "2022-03-21" modified: "2023-03-19" authors: - name: "Blake Stilwell" job_title: "Editor-In-Chief, Air Force Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/blake/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-history/13-photos-of-us-troops-with-enemy-flag/" categories: - "Army" - "History" tags: - "Military History" --- # These 13 photos of US troops with enemy flags show some traditions never die ![]() A military unit losing its colors is pretty humiliating — maybe even as bad as losing a battle. But it probably feels pretty good to be the one who captures those colors. And American troops have captured a lot of enemy flags over the years. While the Geneva Convention demands all POWs be allowed to keep their personal belongings and protective gear, a "war trophy" like a captured flag doesn't really apply. But even if troops decide not to keep trophies like an enemy flag, that doesn't mean they can't snap a quick photo, as many have before and will likely do for many wars to come. ## 1. Civil War ![civil war enemy flags]() *Union soldiers pose with Confederate flags that they captured in battle during the Civil War. Each was awarded a Medal of Honor for grabbing the enemy's flag.* ## 2. United States Expedition to Korea ![expedition to korea]() * U.S. Marines with a captured Korean flag from the Korean conflict with the Joseon Dynasty of 1871.* ## 3. Spanish-American War ![spanish-american enemy flags]() *U.S. troops capturing Spanish guns at Malate Fort in Manila, Philippines. (U.S. Army)* ## 4. Philippine-American War ![philippine-american war]() *An American soldier with Filipino weapons and flag in Ocampo, the Philippines ca. 1901. (National Archives)* ## 5. U.S. Intervention in Nicaragua ![nicaragua enemy flags]() *U.S. Marines holding the Nicaraguan rebel leader Augusto César Sandino's Flag in Nicaragua, 1932. (U.S. Marine Corps)* ## 6. World War II ![wwii soldiers with italian flag]() *U.S. soldiers with a surrendered Italian flag at Paestum, Italy. (U.S. Army)* ![marines on iwo jima]() *U.S. Marines on Iwo Jima with captured Japanese flags. (U.S. Army)* ![world war ii troops]() *American Paratroopers pose with a captured Nazi flag after landing in Normandy. (U.S. Army)* ## 7. Korean War ![korean war enemy flags]() *U.S. troops with a captured North Korean flag during the Korean War. (U.S. Marine Corps)* ## 8. Vietnam War ![vietnam war enemy flags]() *Sailors from SEAL Team One captured this flag during the Vietnam War, circa 1970. (National Archives)* ## 9. Invasion of Grenada ![grenada enemy flags]() * 1st Platoon, B Co, 1st Ranger Battalion with a flag from Cuban barracks captured during the invasion of Grenada, 1983. (photo by Bryan Staggs, who captured the flag and is standing in the front row, right)* ## 10. Invasion of Panama ![invasion of panama enemy flags]() *U.S. troops during Operation Just Cause, the invasion of Panama, in December 1989. (Ron Busch)* ## 11. The Iraq War ![iraq war soldier]() *U.S. Army Lt. Col. Rod Coffey holds the flag of al-Qaeda in Iraq, the precursor to ISIS, in Diyala Province, Iraq, 2008. (Rod Coffey)* There are, of course, many other photos of American troops with captured enemy flags that we can't post here. There are photos depicting joint U.S.-Afghan forces [taking down a Taliban flag](). Photographer Scott Nelson also took a photo of U.S. troops with [a ]()[captured]()[ Iraqi flag]() during the 2003 Invasion. If you do decide to take a battlefield souvenir, be sure to fill out your [DD Form 603-1](). ## Author Blake Stilwell is We Are The Mighty's Editor-in-Chief, covering military news, entertainment, and history, along with veteran education, employment and entrepreneurship. He is a former U.S. Air Force combat cameraman with degrees in Graphic Design, Television and Film, International Relations, Public Relations, Business Management and Middle Eastern Affairs. After leaving the military, he began working in film and television production in New York and Los Angeles, work that included ABC News, NBC Olympics, and HBO Sports. He then spent two years in Washington with White House Communications, before joining the Near East Foundation. At NEF he served as an International Development Fellow, then Communications Officer, and finally, Media Officer for the Middle East and Africa. Based in the Palestinian Territory, he coordinated strategic communications between eight country offices, international media, and government and NGO partners. He began a career focused on writing and editing in 2015 with We Are The Mighty. He left in 2019 for Military.com, but returned as Editor-in-Chief in 2025. Blake’s work has been seen on CBS News, Fox News, CBC, The Chicago Tribune, Task & Purpose, Military Times, Recoil, Skillset, American History, and was shockingly even used in a Supreme Court argument. He is an avid traveler and small business owner in Ohio, where he spends most of his energy fixing up a very old house. ### Author social links [Facebook]() [Twitter]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()