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Title 36 — Patriotic and National ObservancesRelease 119-73not60

§901 Service Flag and Service Lapel Button

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

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

Immediate family members of someone serving in the U.S. Armed Forces during any war or hostilities may display an official service flag in a home window and may wear an official service lapel button. The flag and button must be approved by the Secretary of Defense. Anyone can 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 otherwise breaking these rules, can bring a civil fine to the United States of up to $1,000. The Secretary can also make rules needed to carry this out.

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 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60