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The Service flag may be displayed in a window of the place of residence of persons who are members of the immediate family of Service members 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 may be engaged, for the duration of such period of war or hostilities.

The Service flag may also be displayed by an organization to honor the members of that organization 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 may be engaged, for the duration of such period of war or hostilities.

Below are examples of United States Service Flags:

Example of a immediate family member service flag, hung horizontally. Blue star on a white background, surrounded by a red border. Graphic copyright © 2002 by Rod Powers

Example of a immediate family member service flag, where the member has died on active duty. Hung horizontally. Gold Star imposed over the blue star on a white background, surrounded by a red border. Graphic copyright © 2002 by Rod Powers

Example of a horizontally-flown, immediate family member service flag, where the member has died on active duty, but another member remains on active duty. Graphic copyright © 2002 by Rod Powers

Example of a vertically-flown, immediate family member service flag. Graphic copyright © 2002 by Rod Powers

Example of a vertically-flown, organizational service flag. The number under the gold star represents members of the organization who have died on active duty. The number under the blue star represents the number of members in the organization currently on active duty. Graphic copyright © 2002 by Rod Powers