The Gold Star Lapel Button is distributed (free of charge) from the Department of Defense, to the widow, widower (remarried or not), each parent (mother, father, stepmother, stepfather, mother through adoption, father through adoption, and foster parents who stood in loco parentis), each child, each brother, each sister, each half-brother, each half-sister, each step-child, and each adopted child of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States who lost his or her life under any of the following conditions:
- During World War I, World War II, or any subsequent period of armed hostilities in which the United States was engaged before July 1, 1958.
and (anytime after June 30, 1958):
- While engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;
- while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force;
- while serving with friendly forces engaged in an armed conflict in which the United States is not a belligerent party against an opposing armed force
Service Lapel Buttons
The Service Lapel Button shall be a blue star on a white rectangular field within a red border, 3/16 inch x 3/8 inch in over-all size. The shades of colors and the detailed dimensions shall be in accordance with manufacturing instructions furnished to licensed manufacturers by the Department of the Army.
.The blue star of the Service lapel button worn by members of the immediate family shall signify that one or more Service members are serving in the Armed Forces of the United States under the conditions specified above, for service flags. Multiple blue stars are not authorized on the lapel buttons.
A person eligible to wear the Gold Star Lapel Button, described above, may wear the Service lapel button in conjunction therewith, if that person is also entitled to wear the Service Lapel Button (i.e., still has a living immediate family member serving in the armed forces during periods of hostility). A gold star is not authorized as part of the Service Lapel Button.
Purchasing Service Flags & Lapel Buttons
There are several places online where one can purchase service flags and lapel buttons. Remember to check to make sure the manufacturer has been authorized by DOD to manufacture and sell these items. For a list of some of these manufacturers, check out our subject area, Military Shopping & Surplus.
