About Gold Star Families
The term Gold Star family is a modern reference that comes from the Service Flag. These flags/banners were first flown by families during World War I. The flag included a blue star for every immediate family member serving in the armed forces of the United States, during any period of war or hostilities in which the armed forces of the United States were engaged. If that loved one died, the blue star was replaced by a gold star. This allowed members of the community to know the price that the family had paid in the cause of freedom.
The United States began observing Gold Star Mother's Day on the last Sunday of September, in 1936. The Gold Star Wives was formed before the end of World War II. The Gold Star Lapel Button was established in August 1947.
Today, the nation recognizes the sacrifice that all Gold Star Family members make when a father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter, or other loved one dies in service to the nation. Gold Star Mother's and Family's Day is the last Sunday of September and Gold Star Spouses Day is April 5. The strength of our nation is our Army. The strength of our Army is our Soldiers. The strength of our Soldiers is our families. The Army recognizes that no one has given more for the nation than the families of the fallen.
Lapel Buttons
In 1947, Congress approved the design, manufacture and distribution of the official Gold Star Lapel Button, a symbol worn by next of kin of service members of the armed forces who lost their lives in war and armed hostilities of the United States. In 1973, the Lapel Button for Next of Kin of Deceased Personnel was introduced to symbolize active duty Soldiers who lost their lives in non-combat operations. Family members typically receive these pins from the Army before or after their Soldier's funeral service.
The Lapel Buttons are a visible sign for family members of Soldiers who sacrificed their lives while serving the country. One Lapel Button is furnished without cost to the next of kin of a member of the Armed Forces who lost his or her life while in the active military service. The Army provides two different Lapel Buttons:
• Gold Star Lapel Button (signifies died in a combat theater) features a gold star, one-quarter inch in diameter, on a purple circular background (signifies the families' grief or mourning) that is three-quarters inch in diameter within a wreath of gold laurel leaves (signifies valor). The Gold Star Lapel Button is furnished to eligible family members of a Soldier who was killed serving in combat, during an international terrorist attack, or as part of a peacekeeping force.
• Lapel Button for Next of Kin of Deceased Personnel consists of a gold star within a circle surrounded by sprigs of oak. The Next-of-Kin Lapel Button is issued to family members of a Soldier who died while on active duty or while assigned to an Army Reserve or Army National Guard unit in a drill status.
Gold Star Spouses Day
Gold Star Spouses Day is observed annually on April 5 to honor the surviving spouses of U.S. military service members who have died in the line of duty. It is a day to recognize their sacrifices, remember their loved ones, and show support for the families who have endured a profound loss. Gold Star Spouses are the resilient legacies of their service member's sacrifice to the nation. The Gold Star is a symbol of loss dating back to World War I.
Gold Star Mother's and Family's Day
On June 23, 1936, the 74th United States Congress designated the last Sunday of September as “Gold Star Mother's Day.” The national commemoration is an opportunity for the American public to remember and honor the continued service of the Gold Star Family members. Since the loss of a child affects the entire family, the Department of the Army observes this day as “Gold Star Mother's and Family's Day.” The U.S. Army is dedicated to providing ongoing support to over 78,000 surviving Family members of fallen Soldiers. Army Survivor Outreach Services offers resources that include supportive counseling, financial education, benefits coordination, and support groups to surviving Family members for as long as they need or request.
Survivor Outreach Services
Survivor Outreach Services is the official Army program designed to provide long-term support to Families of fallen Soldiers. If you are a surviving Family member, we are here for you. Survivors developed this program, and it is continually refined based on Survivor feedback and senior Army leader involvement. SOS Coordinators and financial counselors provide outreach and support to survivors, regardless of a loved one’s Army component, duty status, location or manner of death. SOS serves Army National Guard, Army Reserve and active component Families at SOS offices across the country. There is no greater calling than to serve one’s nation with honor and dignity. For SOS, there is no greater duty than to support the Families of those who died in service to our nation.
The Army Gold Star and Surviving Family Member Representative is the Army advocate for surviving Family members. If you are a survivor and not satisfied with the casualty assistance provided by your service, please contact an advocate.