Proper use of American flag and USA flag symbols

Bald Eagle and American Flag

Appropriate use of the US flag or its symbol on car flags, decals, patches, bunting, uniforms

A. American flag bunting

“Bunting of blue, white, and red, always arranged with the blue above, the white in the middle, and the red below, should be used for covering a speaker’s desk, draping the front of the platform, and for decoration in general." (U.S. Code, Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 8(d))

B. Auto flags of the United States flag

  1. Attach flags only to the passenger side of vehicles.
  2. "The flag should not be draped over the hood, top, sides, or back of a vehicle or of a railroad train or a boat. When the flag is displayed on a motorcar, the staff shall be fixed firmly to the chassis or clamped to the right fender.” (U.S. Code, Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 7(b))
  3. Flags should be removed from vehicles at night due to lack of proper illumination.
  4. “…when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.” (U.S. Code, Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 6(a))

C. American flag car decals and painted images of the United States flag

  1. Placement on the vehicle's driver side: so that the "field of stars" is seen to the viewer's left.
  2. Placement on the passenger's side: so that the "field of stars: is seen to the viewer's right.

D. USA flag lapel pins

  1. Wear the USA flag pin on the left lapel with the "field of stars" closest to the heart.

E. Placement of American flag patches on uniforms

  1. Place the American flag patch on the left sleeve so that the "field of stars" is to the viewer's left.
  2. Place the American flag patch on the right sleeve so that the "field of stars" is to the viewer's right.