[Non-Sequitur]

When navy ships are in port they fly the U.S. colors from a flagstaff at the stern. In the first picture the flagstaff isn't visible. Immediately upon getting underway the colors are shifted to the 'steaming ensign' which is broken out on the flag gaff on the mainmast. In the second picture the mast that you see is one of the pole masts visible forward and aft of the main superstructure. The mainmast is the one just forward of the funnel.

[AppyPappy]

That should be true. Perhaps someone has a picture of the ship before the bombing where the American flag is prominent. I was commenting that the few pictures we had didn't show a flag.