---
kind: "section"
citation: "18 U.S.C. § 705"
title: "18"
title_heading: "Crimes and Criminal Procedure"
number: "705"
heading: "Badge or medal of veterans’ organizations"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/18/705"
units:
  - "Part I — Crimes"
  - "Chapter 33 — Emblems, Insignia, and Names"
---

# §705. Badge or medal of veterans’ organizations


[Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1) knowingly manufactures, reproduces, sells or purchases for resale, either separately or on or appended to, any article of merchandise manufactured or sold, any badge, medal, emblem, or other insignia or any colorable imitation thereof, of any veterans’ [organization](/usc/18/2256.md?p=4) incorporated by enactment of Congress, or of any [organization](/usc/18/2256.md?p=4) formally recognized by any such veterans’ [organization](/usc/18/2256.md?p=4) as an auxiliary of such veterans’ [organization](/usc/18/2256.md?p=4), or knowingly prints, lithographs, engraves or otherwise reproduces on any poster, circular, periodical, magazine, newspaper, or other publication, or circulates or [distributes](/usc/18/841.md?p=n) any such printed matter bearing a reproduction of such badge, medal, emblem, or other insignia or any colorable imitation thereof, except when authorized under rules and regulations prescribed by any such [organization](/usc/18/2256.md?p=4), shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.


## Source credit

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 732; Aug. 4, 1950, ch. 578, 64 Stat. 413; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(E), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2146.)

## Notes

### Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 76e (June 25, 1940, ch. 426, 54 Stat. 571).

Words beginning the section are from the punishment provision of last sentence which was itself rewritten without surplusage.

Changes were made in phraseology.

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $250”.

1950—Act Aug. 4, 1950, brought within the protection of this section emblems, badges, or insignia of auxiliary organizations of veteran’s organizations incorporated by an act of Congress.