---
kind: "section"
citation: "36 U.S.C. § 140504"
title: "36"
title_heading: "Patriotic and National Observances, Ceremonies, and Organizations"
number: "140504"
heading: "Governing body"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/36/140504"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Patriotic and National Organizations"
  - "Part B — Organizations"
  - "Chapter 1405 — Military Order of the Purple Heart of the United States of America, Incorporated"
---

# §140504. Governing body

- (a) **Board of Directors.—**
  - (1) The board of directors is the governing body of the [corporation](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-7). Between meetings of the [corporation](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-7), the board is responsible for the general policies and program of the [corporation](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-7). The board is responsible for all funds of the [corporation](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-7).
  - (2) The number of directors, their manner of selection (including the filling of vacancies), and their term of office are as provided in the constitution and bylaws of the [corporation](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-7). However, the board shall have at least 18 directors.
- (b) **Officers.—**
  - (1) The officers of the [corporation](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-7) are a commander, a senior vice commander, a chaplain, an adjutant, a finance officer, a judge advocate, an inspector, a surgeon, a historian, and other elected officers as provided in the constitution and bylaws.
  - (2) The manner of election, term of office, and duties of the officers are as provided in the constitution and bylaws.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 105–225, Aug. 12, 1998, 112 Stat. 1382.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 140504(a) | 36:827. | Aug. 26, 1958, Pub. L. 85–761, §§ 7, 8, 72 Stat. 857. |
| 140504(b) | 36:828. |  |

In subsection (a), the text of 36:827(a) is omitted as obsolete.