US military insignia

[Friday]

Friday, here is a section of the US Code I found pertaining to the Army. I'm sure it would be pretty much the same for other services. I read an interesting article on Ask.com about someone who was prosecuted, fined, and jailed for impersonating a naval officer with the intent to defraud.

d. In accordance with chapter 45, section 771, title 10, United States Code (10 USC 771), no person except a member of the U.S. Army may wear the uniform, or a distinctive part of the uniform of the U.S. Army unless otherwise authorized by law. Additionally, no person except a member of the U.S. Army may wear a uniform, any part of which is similar to a distinctive part of the U.S. Army uniform. This includes the distinctive uniforms and uniform items listed in paragraph 1–12 of this regulation. Paragraph 1–12 goes on to define "Distinctive uniforms and uniform items:"
a. The following uniform items are distinctive and will not be sold to or worn by unauthorized personnel:

• (1) All Army headgear, when worn with insignia.
• (2) Badges and tabs (identification, marksmanship, combat, and special skill).
• (3) Uniform buttons (U.S. Army or Corps of Engineers).
• (4) Decorations, service medals, service and training ribbons, and other awards and their appurtenances.
• (5) Insignia of any design or color that the Army has adopted.

What I see and it would be interesting to hear a lawyer argue this, the main hing of this is "unauthorized personnel" and "unless otherwise authorized by law." However, the US Veterans Administration, an arm of the Federal Government has, since 2006, requested/reminded veterans to wear their medals as part of the Veterans Pride Initiative. The Veterans Pride Initiative asks veterans to wear their medals on Independence Day, Memorial Day and Veterans Day, and when attending other patriotic events. The VA "encourages the 24 million living Americans who have served in the armed forces to display their medals on the Fourth of July by pinning them on their civilian clothing over their left breast".

I believe that this is authorization by the United States Federal Government for veterans to wear and display their medals. It is my opinion that above is aimed more toward the stolen valor act and wearing of military medal by those who did not serve or did not earn or be awarded medals they wear.

Edit: The US Military Discharge (DD 214) section 24 lists ( old copy and the wording may not be exact) Commendations, medals, awards . . . awarded or authorized.