AMSUS Medals, Insignia and Apparel

Wearing the Association Ribbon

The Act of Congress of January 30, 1903, that incorporated the Association, carried in section 3 the following words:

"That the said Association ... may adopt a seal and insignia which may be worn by its members."

As the membership was made up at that time entirely of uniformed personnel it appears incontestable that this authorization was for the wearing of the insignia (the ribbon) upon the uniform and there is no limitation on its wearing contained in this Act of Congress.

It is clearly not within the power of service regulation to set aside an authorization granted by the Congress. However from the office of the Adjutant General of the Army has come the following decision:

"Badges of societies will be worn on the uniform only when attending meetings, ceremonies and functions of such societies, and they may then be worn with decorations, service medals, or substituted therefore "

There the matter stands. The Association feels that the Act of Congress governs, and that the wearing of the ribbon upon the uniform at any time is legal, and many commanding officers have seen no impropriety in that attitude. On the other hand the will of the commanding officer is final in the matter of the uniform. He/ she may ban the ribbon of the Association as he/she may any other item, and his/her orders may be questioned only through the usual procedures and after his/her orders have been obeyed. Perhaps the time will come when this vexing question can be settled in a Federal court.