---
kind: "section"
citation: "18 U.S.C. § 1369"
title: "18"
title_heading: "Crimes and Criminal Procedure"
number: "1369"
heading: "Destruction of veterans’ memorials"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/18/1369"
units:
  - "Part I — Crimes"
  - "Chapter 65 — Malicious Mischief"
---

# §1369. Destruction of veterans’ memorials

- (a) [Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1), in a circumstance described in [subsection (b)](#b), willfully injures or destroys, or attempts to injure or destroy, any structure, plaque, statue, or other monument on public property commemorating the service of any [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) or [persons](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) in the armed forces of the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9) shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.
- (b) A circumstance described in this subsection is that—
  - (1) in committing the offense described in [subsection (a)](#a), the defendant travels or causes another to [travel in interstate or foreign commerce](/usc/18/2266.md?p=9), or uses the mail or an instrumentality of [interstate or foreign commerce](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-2); or
  - (2) the structure, plaque, statue, or other monument described in [subsection (a)](#a) is located on property owned by, or under the jurisdiction of, the Federal Government.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 108–29, § 2(a), May 29, 2003, 117 Stat. 772.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Short Title of 2003 Amendment

Pub. L. 108–29, § 1, May 29, 2003, 117 Stat. 772, provided that: “This Act [enacting this section and provisions set out as a note under section 109 of Title 23, Highways] may be cited as the ‘Veterans’ Memorial Preservation and Recognition Act of 2003’.”