US Army promoting awareness of Gold Star Survivors. How many people know about this?

2015-09-28T01:19:38-04:00

The Lapel Buttons were established by an Act of Congress in August 1947 as a visible sign for family members of Soldiers who sacrificed their lives while serving the country. The Lapel Button is a keepsake identifying the next of kin of the Soldiers who gave their all while defending the American way of life.
One Lapel Button is 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. 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. The Army provides two different Lapel Buttons:
• Gold Star Lapel Button (signifies died in a combat theater) features a gold star, one-quarter inch in diameter, on a purple circular background (signifies the families' grief or mourning) that is three-quarters inch in diameter within a wreath of gold laurel leaves (signifies valor). The Gold Star Lapel Button is furnished to eligible family members of a Soldier who was killed serving in combat, during an international terrorist attack, or as part of a peacekeeping force.
• Lapel Button for Next of Kin of Deceased Personnel consists of a gold star within a circle surrounded by sprigs of oak. The Next-of-Kin Lapel Button is issued to family members of a Soldier who died while on active duty or while assigned to an Army Reserve or Army National Guard unit in a drill status.
What is the Army doing?
The Army is raising awareness of the importance of the Lapel Buttons and the ultimate sacrifices they represent.
What efforts does the Army have planned for the future?
The Army provides the Lapel Buttons as a reminder that Soldiers lost during service to country will not be forgotten. The Army's Survivor Outreach Services will continue to deliver a coordinated, comprehensive, and standardized program that includes grief counseling across the force to meet survivors' needs with dedicated resources as long as the family desires.
Why is this important to the Army?
The Lapel Buttons signify the ultimate sacrifice made by our Soldiers and their families.
Resources:
U.S. Army Human Resources Command
Casualty and Mortuary Affairs Operations Center (CMAOC)
AR 600-8-1: Army Casualty Program
Army Regulation 600-8-22: Military Awards
Code of Federal Regulations: Title 32 - National Defense, Section 578.63
Public Law 534 - 89th Congress
10 USC 1126: Gold Star Lapel button: Eligibility and distribution
Related STAND-TO!
Survivor Outreach Services

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Sep 28 at 2015 1:42 AM

2015-09-28T01:42:50-04:00

Great idea! I hadn't heard of this before.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 28 at 2015 3:09 AM

2015-09-28T03:09:35-04:00

My uncle was killed in Vietnam and my grandparents always wore their Gold Star lapel pin. In fact, when they passed, they were both buried with their pins on their clothing.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Sep 28 at 2015 3:54 AM

2015-09-28T03:54:49-04:00

I actually was aware of this. A friend of mine had a son who (very unfortunately) committed suicide while on active duty. She is a Gold Star Mother and has done a very good job of educating people who think that one has to die in combat in order for their survivors to be Gold Star Survivors.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Sep 28 at 2015 8:02 AM

2015-09-28T08:02:30-04:00

Thanks hit sharing

Response by Sara Lucas made May 18 at 2020 5:49 AM

2020-05-18T05:49:46-04:00

I'm a good star widow and I treasure my pin