The Service Flag is an official banner that is authorized by the Department of Defense. The flag is to be displayed by the family members of a military service member who is serving during any period of war. The flag was created in 1917 by Army Captain Robert Queissner, who also had two sons serving in the military.
The flags are authorized to be displayed in the window of a wife, husband, mother, father, step parent, parents through adoption, foster parents, children, step children, adopted children, brothers, sisters or half siblings of a military member serving in the Armed Forces.
There should be a blue star representing each member of the family who is serving. In the event that a member is killed in the line of duty, the blue star should be covered by a gold star. The gold star should be slightly smaller as to leave a blue border. If there are multiple stars on the banner, the gold star should be the highest.
The Service flag is an indoor flag and should be placed in the window of the home or organization facing out. If the American flag is also displayed with a Service flag, the American flag should be equal in size or larger and should be placed higher than the Service flag.