Confederate flag removed from Norfolk Naval Shipyard

One of the original flags of the Confederacy had flown over the historical side gate of Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth since 1967 before it was taken down last week. The Confederate flag, at far right, was photographed at the shipyard on... (Copyright by WSLS - All rights reserved)

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (AP) - A Confederate flag has been taken down from outside the Norfolk Naval Shipyard.

The Virginian-Pilot reports that the flag, which has a different design than the Confederate battle flag, had flown over the shipyard in Portsmouth since 1967, alongside an American flag, a British flag and the flag of Virginia.

Recommended Videos



The controversial banner features the original flag design of the Confederacy, with seven stars representing the original states that seceded.

On Friday, following questions from the newspaper, a Naval spokeswoman said that Capt. Scott Brown ordered that all four flags be removed and placed in a museum.

Spokeswoman Terri Davis says the four flags had marked the shipyard's 248-year history, but times change.

On Sunday, a photo on the shipyard's Facebook page showed that all four flagpoles now feature American flags.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.