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Title 36, Patriotic and National ObservancesRelease 119-110

§130303 Membership

Title 36 › Subtitle II — Patriotic and National Organizations › Part B — Organizations › CHAPTER 1303 — LEGION OF VALOR OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, INCORPORATED › § 130303

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

People can become active members if they are of good moral character and have been awarded one of these medals: the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy Cross, or the Air Force Cross. The medal must be for extraordinary heroism in military or naval action against an armed enemy, or for heroism of a specially distinguished character, while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces or those of any foreign country. The corporation may also allow the parents and direct (lineal) descendants of such medal holders to join as active or associate members under its constitution and bylaws. Every member, except associate members, gets one vote on each matter at member meetings.

Full Legal Text

Title 36, §130303

Patriotic and National Observances, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Eligibility.—
An individual is eligible for active membership in the corporation if the individual—
(1)is of good moral character; and
(2)has received a Congressional Medal of Honor, a Distinguished Service Cross, a Navy Cross, or an Air Force Cross awarded for acts of extraordinary heroism in connection with military or naval operations against an armed enemy, or for heroism of a specially distinguished character, as a member of the Armed Forces of the United States or any foreign country.
(b)Extension of Eligibility to Parents and Descendants.—
The corporation may extend eligibility for membership, either active or associate, to parents and lineal descendants of an individual described in subsection (a) of this section on terms provided in its constitution and bylaws.
(c)Voting.—
Each member (except an associate member) has one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of the members.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 13030336:636.Aug. 4, 1955, ch. 546, § 6, 69 Stat. 488; June 21, 1961, Pub. L. 87–56, § 2, 75 Stat. 95. In subsection (a)(2), the words “has received” are substituted for “who have received or who may hereafter receive” to eliminate unnecessary words. The words “Navy Cross” are restated before “Air Force Cross” in accordance with the order preferred by the Legion of Valor of the United States of America, Incorporated. The words “as a member” are substituted for “are, have been, or may become members . . . of whatever rank” for clarity and to eliminate unnecessary words. In subsection (b), the words “on terms” are substituted for “under such conditions and upon such terms” to eliminate unnecessary words. In subsection (c), the words “the right to” are omitted as unnecessary. The text of 36:636(d) is omitted as obsolete.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

36 U.S.C. § 130303

Title 36, Patriotic and National Observances

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110