An army veteran has been arrested for flying the US flag upside down in protest against an oil pipeline that will run past his house.

Homer Martz, from Somers, Iowa, hung up the flag beneath a Chinese flag at his home in anger at the pipeline, which he believes tramples on his rights.

He has been charged with desecrating the US flag and could face a fine or jail of up to 30 days if convicted.

Homer Martz, from Somers, Iowa, was arrested for flying the US flag upside down in protest against an oil pipeline that will run past his house (file photo)

Martz told The Fort Dodge Messenger two Calhoun County sheriffs came to his door after taking down his flags and told him it was an offence.

He argued that they should not have taken them down - as they had 'trespassed' and put them back up, at which point he was arrested.

The veteran said he was unaware that it was an offense to hang the flag upside down.

Martz fears a pipeline being built by a Texan-based firm will break the water line from his well or cause it to freeze.

Martz fears the pipeline will break the water line to his home in Somers, Calhoun County (stock picture)

He said the decision to go ahead with the pipeline was an assault on his rights, writing on a sign on the flagpole: 'In China there is no freedom, no protesting, no due process. In Iowa? In America?'

Speaking about serving in the army, he described how he was spat on when he was in his uniform in the 1970s and 'cussed at' by protestors.

He said: ' I said, that's their rights. I've never infringed on their rights.

'But you know, freedom of speech, freedom to protest - people can burn the American flag. It's legal. That's the Supreme Court.'

At least 40 states still have laws in place against desecrating the US flag.