Title 36 — Patriotic and National ObservancesRelease 119-73
§901 Service flag and service lapel button
Title 36 › Subtitle Subtitle I— - Patriotic and National Observances and Ceremonies › Part Part A— - Observances and Ceremonies › Chapter CHAPTER 9— - MISCELLANEOUS › § 901
Summary
Secretary of Defense may approve a service flag for immediate family to display in a window and lapel button to wear during war or hostilities. Anyone may get a license to make or sell them; violations risk up to $1,000, and the Secretary may issue rules.
Full Legal Text
Title 36, §901
Patriotic and National Observances — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)A service flag approved by the Secretary of Defense may be displayed in a window of the place of residence of individuals who are members of the immediate family of an individual serving in the Armed Forces of the United States during any period of war or hostilities in which the Armed Forces of the United States are engaged.
(b)A service lapel button approved by the Secretary may be worn by members of the immediate family of an individual serving in the Armed Forces of the United States during any period of war or hostilities in which the Armed Forces of the United States are engaged.
(c)Any person may apply to the Secretary for a license to manufacture and sell the approved service flag, or the approved service lapel button, or both. Any person that manufactures a service flag or service lapel button without having first obtained a license, or otherwise violates this section is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of not more than $1,000.
(d)The Secretary may prescribe regulations necessary to carry out this section.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 901(a)36:179.Oct. 17, 1942, ch. 615, 56 Stat. 796; May 27, 1953, ch. 70, 67 Stat. 35. 901(b)36:180. 901(c)36:181. 901(d)36:182. In subsection (c), the text of 36:181 (1st sentence) is omitted as executed. The word “Thereafter” is omitted as obsolete. The words “is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of” are substituted for “shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined” for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
36 U.S.C. § 901
Title 36 — Patriotic and National Observances
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73