Title 36 — Patriotic and National ObservancesRelease 119-73not60
§22503 Membership
Title 36 › Subtitle Subtitle II— Patriotic and National Organizations › Part B— Organizations › Chapter 225— AMERICAN WAR MOTHERS › § 22503
Summary
Only U.S. citizen women can join if their child (natural, adopted, or step) served in World Wars, the Korean conflict, or later U.S. wars and is honorably discharged or serving.
Full Legal Text
Title 36, §22503
Patriotic and National Observances — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Eligibility for membership in the corporation is limited to women—
(1)who are citizens of the United States; and
(2)whose natural son or daughter, legally adopted son or daughter, or stepson or stepdaughter—
(A)served in the Armed Forces of the United States or its allies in World War I, World War II, the Korean conflict, or any subsequent war or conflict involving the United States; and
(B)was honorably discharged from that service or continues in the service.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 2250336:97.Feb. 24, 1925, ch. 303, § 7, 43 Stat. 968; Sept. 26, 1942, ch. 563, 56 Stat. 758; June 26, 1953, ch. 152, 67 Stat. 81; Apr. 12, 1974, Pub. L. 93–267, 88 Stat. 85. In clause (2), before subclause (A), the word “natural” is substituted for “of her blood” to eliminate unnecessary words. The words “or sons”, “or daughters”, “or stepsons”, and “or stepdaughters” are omitted as unnecessary.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
36 U.S.C. § 22503
Title 36 — Patriotic and National Observances
Last Updated
Apr 5, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60