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Title 36, Patriotic and National ObservancesRelease 119-110

§901 Service Flag and Service Lapel Button

Title 36 › Subtitle I — Patriotic and National Observances and Ceremonies › Part A — Observances and Ceremonies › CHAPTER 9 — MISCELLANEOUS › § 901

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary of Defense can approve a service flag to be shown in a family member’s home window and a service lapel button to be worn by immediate family while their relative is serving in the U.S. Armed Forces during any war or hostilities. Anyone may apply to the Secretary of Defense for a license to make and sell the approved flag or button; making or selling them without a license or breaking these rules can bring a civil penalty to the United States of up to $1,000, and the Secretary can make rules needed to carry this out.

Full Legal Text

Title 36, §901

Patriotic and National Observances, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Individuals Entitled To Display Service Flag.—
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)Individuals Entitled To Display Service Lapel Button.—
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)License To Manufacture and Sell Service Flags and Service Lapel Buttons.—
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)Regulations.—
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

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110