When Francis Bellamy wrote the pledge for a children's magazine, he also
described a salute to be performed while reciting it.
Children perform the "Bellamy salute" while reciting the pledge at school
This salute was dubbed the "Bellamy salute" and involved an outstretched arm towards the flag when the words "to the flag" were said during the pledge.
Bellamy had gotten the idea from a Roman salute which had also, coincidentally, been the basis of the Nazi salute being used in Germany at the time. Many people felt uncomfortable performing this action, bringing up the question "Do I have to do it?" which would later lead to the question of "Do I have to say it?". This became one of many reasons for Americans to question the need to recite the pledge which would lead to the Supreme Court making the ultimate decision of "No". The Congress replaced the salute with having the right hand placed over the heart in 1923 which has been in use to this day.