42 USC § 214 - Presentation of United States flag upon retirement

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t42/s214"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "42 USC § 214 - Presentation of United States flag upon retirement"
title_number: 42
title_name: "THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE"
section_number: "214"
section_name: "Presentation of United States flag upon retirement"
chapter_number: 6
chapter_name: "PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE"
subchapter_number: "I"
subchapter_name: "ADMINISTRATION AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS"
part_number: "A"
part_name: "Administration"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title II, § 213, as added Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title VI, § 652(b), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 665.)"
---


# § 214. Presentation of United States flag upon retirement

**(a)** **Presentation of flag** Upon the release of an officer of the commissioned corps of the Service from active commissioned service for retirement, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall present a United States flag to the officer.

**(b)** **Multiple presentations not authorized** An officer is not eligible for presentation of a flag under subsection (a) if the officer has previously been presented a flag under this section or any other provision of law providing for the presentation of a United States flag incident to release from active service for retirement.

**(c)** **No cost to recipient** The presentation of a flag under this section shall be at no cost to the recipient.

---

**Source Credit**: (July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title II, § 213, as added Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title VI, § 652(b), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 665.)

## Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 214, acts , title II, § 213, ; , , authorized allowances for uniforms, prior to repeal by , , . See , Pay and Allowances of the Uniformed Services.

## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section applicable with respect to releases from service described in section on or after , see , set out as a note under , Armed Forces.