Service flag

A service flag or service banner is a banner that family members of those serving in the United States Armed Forces can display. The flag or banner is officially defined as a white field with a red border, with a blue star for each family member serving in the Armed Forces of the United States during any period of war or hostilities. A gold star (with a blue edge) represents a family member who died during military operations, including those who died 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 those who lost or lose their lives after June 30, 1958:

1. while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;
2. while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or
3. 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 those who lost or lose their lives after March 28, 1973, as a result of:

1. 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
2. military operations while serving outside the United States (including the commonwealths, territories, and possessions of the United States) as part of a peacekeeping force. ^[1]