Gold Star Pins for next of kin

[Daniel Murphy]

Genltemen,

I believe these should be included as they are authorized by Act of Congress. There are TWO versions one for war dead (with laurel leaves) and since 1973 another for the next of kin of those who die during active service, but not in action (with oak sprigs). Here are the regs.

" Gold Star Lapel Button. The Gold Star Lapel Button was established by Act of Congress (Pub. L. 80-306) August 1, 1947, codified at 10 U.S.C. 1126 in order to provide an appropriate identification for widows, widowers, parents, and next of kin of members of the Armed Forces of the United States who lost their lives during World War I, April 6, 1917 to March 3, 1921; World War II, September 8, 1939 to July 25, 1947; any subsequent period of armed hostilities in which the United

States was engaged before July 1, 1958 (United Nations action in Korea, June 27, 1950 to July 27, 1954); or who lost their lives after June 30, 1958, while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; or while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict in which the United States is not a belligerent party against an opposing Armed Force; or who lost or lose their lives after March 28, 1973, as a result of an international terrorist attack against the United States or a foreign nation friendly to the United States, recognized as such an attack by the Secretary of

Defense; or while serving in a military operation while serving outside the United States (including the commonwealths, territories, and possessions of the United States) as part of a peacekeeping force.

A (1) The Gold Star Lapel Button consists of a gold star on a purple circular background, bordered in gold and surrounded by gold laurel leaves. On the reverse is the inscription ``United States of America, Act of Congress, August 1966'' with space for engraving the initials of the recipient. Gold Star Lapel Buttons inscribed August 1947 may be issued until present inventories are exhausted.

(2) One Gold Star Lapel Button will be furnished without cost to the widow or widower, to each of the parents, each child, stepchild, child through adoption, brother, half brother, sister, and half sister of a member of the Armed Forces who lost his or her life while in the active military service during the periods indicated above. The term ``widow or widower'' includes those who have since remarried, and the term ``parents'' includes mother, father, stepmother, stepfather, mother through adoption, father through adoption, and foster parents who stood in loco parentis. Request for replacement of the Gold Star Lapel Button (lost, destroyed or unserviceable) will be submitted on DD Form 3 (Application for Gold Star Lapel Button) to NPRC (see Sec. 578.16 (a)(3)).

(3) Each casualty area commander and major overseas commander will stock Gold Star Lapel Buttons and ensure that survivor assistance officers are provided them for issue to eligible next of kin. Normally, delivery should not be made prior to the first visit to the next of kin following interment.

B Lapel Button for Next of Kin of Deceased Personnel. The Lapel Button, Next of Kin of deceased Personnel is provided to widows(ers), parents, and primary next of kin of armed services members who lose their lives while serving on active duty or while assigned in an Army Reserve or Army National Guard unit in a drill status.

(1) The button consists of a gold star within a circle (commemorating honorable service) surrounded by sprigs of oak (referring to the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps).

(2) One lapel button will be furnished without cost to the widow or widower, to each of the parents, each child, stepchild, child through adoption, brother, half brother, sister, and half sister of a member of the Armed Forces who lost his or her life while on active duty. The term widow or widower includes those who have since remarried, and the term parents includes mother, father, stepmother, stepfather, mother through adoption, father through adoption, and foster parents who stood in place of a parent.

(3) Casualty area commands will stock the button and ensure that survivor assistance officers issue them to eligible next of kin.

(4) The Lapel Button, Next of Kin of Deceased Personnel is authorized for issue retroactive to March 29, 1973. The next of kin of soldiers who died since that date may request issue of the button by writing to the NPRC (see Sec. 578.16(a)(3)). Furnish the name, grade, SSN, and date of death of the deceased soldier. The names and relationships of the next of kin must also be provided."

Dan Murphy

[Daniel Murphy]

Here are FOUR Gold Star Lapel Buttons. All were acquired one at a time from various local sources. Unfortunately the history of these pieces is lost as a result of the past families not knowing or caring about the sacrifices that these represent. These pieces also belong to D.M. Carr and are used with permission. When I look at this I cannot help but see four soldiers /sailors who never made it home.

Dan Murphy

Edited December 15, 2006 by Daniel Murphy

[Daniel Murphy]

Reverse of the pins. Note three are womens pin back and one is a mans tie tack style. One of the womens is engraved with her initials.

[Daniel Murphy]

A close up of the engraved one.