Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal ProcedureRelease 119-73
§1369 Destruction of veterans’ memorials
Title 18 › Part PART I— - CRIMES › Chapter CHAPTER 65— - MALICIOUS MISCHIEF › § 1369
Summary
On purpose damaging or trying to damage a public structure, plaque, statue, or other monument that honors U.S. military service can lead to a fine, up to 10 years in prison, or both. The rule applies if the person crossed state or national lines or used the mail or other interstate means to do it, or if the monument is on land owned or controlled by the federal government.
Full Legal Text
Title 18, §1369
Crimes and Criminal Procedure — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)Whoever, in a circumstance described in subsection (b), willfully injures or destroys, or attempts to injure or destroy, any structure, plaque, statue, or other monument on public property commemorating the service of any person or persons in the armed forces of the United States shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.
(b)A circumstance described in this subsection is that—
(1)in committing the offense described in subsection (a), the defendant travels or causes another to travel in interstate or foreign commerce, or uses the mail or an instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce; or
(2)the structure, plaque, statue, or other monument described in subsection (a) is located on property owned by, or under the jurisdiction of, the Federal Government.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Short Title
of 2003 Amendment Pub. L. 108–29, § 1, May 29, 2003, 117 Stat. 772, provided that: “This Act [enacting this section and provisions set out as a note under section 109 of Title 23, Highways] may be cited as the ‘Veterans’ Memorial Preservation and Recognition Act of 2003’.”
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
18 U.S.C. § 1369
Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73