Description
This reproduction flag is red with a white cotton foreground and a blue star. Â The flag is also available with two blue stars, for two servicemembers in the family or with a gold star signifying that a family member has been killed in action.
The son in service banner flag first appeared during WWI and gained popularity during WWII. In WWII, it also sometimes was used for a daughter in service. Today, it is an official service flag authorized by the Department of Defense for display by families of any servicemember for the duration of any period of war or hostilities that the United States is involved in.
Most of these flags were handmade by the mothers of the sons who were serving overseas. If a mother lost her child during the war, she would then stitch a gold star over the blue one, signifying that the house was in mourning. The use of the gold star to signify a soldier who was killed in action was authorized by President Wilson in 1918.
As per official regulations: The Service flag should be displayed in a window of the residence of the persons authorized. Â The Service flag may also be displayed by an organization. Â It is an indoor flag and should be flown facing outwards in the front window of a home or organization. Â If it is flown with the United States flag, the US flag should be of equal or greater proportions and should be positioned above the Service flag.
