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About Service Flags

What is a service flag?

Service flags, also called “Blue Star Banners,” are traditional patriotic symbols of family hope, pride and support for the men and women serving in the U.S. Armed Forces during wartime or other hostilities. This banner was created during World War I but was not widely used until World War II. It was rarely seen during the Korean and Vietnam wars, but it is making a comeback and families are now proudly displaying them in honor of their service members.

What does the star represent?

Each blue star on a service flag represents one family member serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Up to five stars may be placed on a family’s flag. If a service member dies, a gold star is placed over the blue star to show that the service member has made the ultimate sacrifice. For flags with more than one star, the gold star is placed over the top blue star.

May anyone display a service flag?

Not everyone is authorized to display a service flag. It’s a special honor bestowed only upon the immediate family members of those serving. Specifically, federal law says that a service flag may be displayed in a window of the home of the immediate family of anyone 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 that war or hostilities.

Organizations, such as churches, schools and businesses, may display the flag for service members associated with the organization, as described for the family banner. For example, a business may wish to honor its National Guard employees.

The Institute of Heraldry

The Institute of Heraldry of the U.S. Department of the Army has prepared a fact sheet on the service flag. This fact sheet gives detailed service-flag information from the Department of Defense Directives and U.S. Code. Click here to view the fact sheet.