Quote Originally Posted by Friday View Post
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.
I wasn't aware of the Veterans Pride Initiative, but apparently it extends "authorized" out further. I think the gist is this: If any government agency has authorized a pin, badge, decoration or patch for civilian wear, then you can wear it with a kilt in an appropriate manner for the occasion. The entire subject is somewhat murky, especially these days. I wore an uncle's Navy white hats when I was a kid. but in the 50's a lot of kids wore them because copies were available as civilian clothing. Mine just happened to be the real thing.