Public Law 77-623


 * Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,


 * the following codification of existing rules and customs pertaining to the display and use of the flag of the United States of America be, and it is hereby, established for the use of such civilians or civilian groups or organizations as may not be required to conform with regulations promulgated by one or more executive departments of the Government of the United States.

{{SECTION|SEC. 3.|SEC. 3}}.
That the flag, when carried in a procession with another flag or flags, should be either on the marching right; that is, the flag's own right, or, if there is a line of other flags, in front of the center of that line.

{{SECTION|SEC. 4.|SEC. 4}}.
That no disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America; the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental colors, State flags, and organization or institutional flags are to be dipped as a mark of honor.

{{SECTION|SEC. 5.|SEC. 5}}.
That during the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag or when the flag is passing in a parade or in a review, all persons present should face the flag, stand at attention, and salute. Those present in uniform should render the right-hand salute. When not in uniform, men should remove the headdress with the right hand holding it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Men without hats merely stand at attention. Women should salute by placing the right hand over the heart. The salute to the flag in the moving column should be rendered at the moment the flag passes.

{{SECTION|SEC. 6.|SEC. 6}}.
That when the national anthem is played and the flag is not displayed, all present should stand and face toward the music. Those in uniform should salute at the first note of the anthem, retaining this position until the last note. All others should stand at attention, men removing the headdress. When the flag is displayed, the salute to the flag should be given.

{{SECTION|SEC. 7.|SEC. 7}}.
That the pledge of allegiance to the flag, ‘‘I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all’’, be rendered by standing with the right hand over the heart; extending the right hand, palm upward, toward the flag at the words ‘‘to the flag’’ and holding this position until the end, when the hand drops to the side. However, civilians will always show full respect to the flag when the pledge is given by merely standing at attention, men removing the headdress. Persons in uniform shall render the military salute.

{{SECTION|SEC. 8.|SEC. 8}}.
Any rule or custom pertaining to the display of the flag of the United States of America, set forth herein, may be altered, modified, or repealed, or additional rules with respect thereto may be prescribed, by the Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, whenever he deems it to be appropriate or desirable; and any such alteration or additional rule shall be set forth in a proclamation.

Approved, June 22, 1942.

Legislative History



 * Amended by:
 * Public Law 77-829. &minus; 56 Stat. 1074, . 806, H.J.Res. 359, enacted December 22, 1942.
 * Public Law 83-396. &minus; 68 Stat. 249, . 297, H.J.Res. 243, enacted June 14, 1954.
 * Public Law 94-344. &minus; 90 Stat. 810, S.J.Res. 49, enacted July 7, 1976.

