American Folk Figure. He was Captain in the United States Navy noted for designing the third version of the America's Stars and Stripes. During the War of 1812, he commanded the privateer "General Armstrong" and Major General Andrew Jackson credited Reid's action with delaying the British squadron at the Battle of Fayal New Orleans, Louisiana. After the War, he became Harbor Master for New York City, New York. He made many innovations including a signal code for United States vessels and the use of the semaphore system for speedy advice on ship arrivals. In 1818, at the request of a Congressional Committee headed by Representative Peter H. Wendover, he was commissioned to design a new United States flag. At that time there were twenty states in the Union and entry of others was expected soon. Reid's proposal was that the stripes be fixed at the original thirteen states with one star to represent each state as the Union grew. On acceptance of the design by the Congress, Reid's wife made the first new flag with silk provided by the government and it was flown from the United States Capitol dome on April 13, 1818. He retired as a Master of the Navy in 1844 and died at age 77.
American Folk Figure. He was Captain in the United States Navy noted for designing the third version of the America's Stars and Stripes. During the War of 1812, he commanded the privateer "General Armstrong" and Major General Andrew Jackson credited Reid's action with delaying the British squadron at the Battle of Fayal New Orleans, Louisiana. After the War, he became Harbor Master for New York City, New York. He made many innovations including a signal code for United States vessels and the use of the semaphore system for speedy advice on ship arrivals. In 1818, at the request of a Congressional Committee headed by Representative Peter H. Wendover, he was commissioned to design a new United States flag. At that time there were twenty states in the Union and entry of others was expected soon. Reid's proposal was that the stripes be fixed at the original thirteen states with one star to represent each state as the Union grew. On acceptance of the design by the Congress, Reid's wife made the first new flag with silk provided by the government and it was flown from the United States Capitol dome on April 13, 1818. He retired as a Master of the Navy in 1844 and died at age 77.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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