§ 2701. Procurement of personnel

The Coast Guard may expend operating expense funds for recruiting activities, including but not limited to advertising and entertainment, in order to—

• (1) obtain recruits for the Service and cadet applicants; and
• (2) gain support of recruiting objectives from those who may assist in the recruiting effort.

§ 2702. Training

The Coast Guard may make expenditures for the training of personnel, including books, school supplies, correspondence courses, motion picture equipment, and other equipment for instructional purposes.

§ 2703. Contingent expenses

The Commandant may expend for contingencies of the Coast Guard a sum not to exceed $50,000 in any one fiscal year.

§ 2704. Equipment to prevent accidents

The Coast Guard may make such expenditures as are deemed appropriate for promotion and maintenance of the safety and occupational health of, and the prevention of accidents affecting, personnel of the Coast Guard, including the purchase of clothing, equipment, and other materials necessary thereto.

§ 2706. Right to wear uniform

When authorized by and in accordance with applicable regulations:

• (a) any member who has served honorably in the Coast Guard during war shall when not in active service, whether or not on the retired list, be entitled to bear the official title and upon occasions of ceremony to wear the uniform of the highest rank or rating held by him during his war service, and
• (b) any member on the retired list shall be entitled to wear the uniform of his rank or rating.

§ 2707. Protection of uniform

The provisions of law relating to the protection of the uniform of the United States Army, Navy, or Marine Corps shall apply to the protection of the uniform of the Coast Guard, in the same manner, to the same extent, and under the same conditions.

§ 2708. Clothing for officers and enlisted personnel

• (a) The Coast Guard may purchase uniforms, accouterments, and related equipment for sale to officer personnel and cadets of the Coast Guard.
• (b) The Coast Guard may purchase uniform clothing for sale to enlisted personnel of the Coast Guard. The actual cost of the clothing thus sold to enlisted personnel may be withheld from their pay.

§ 2709. Procurement and sale of stores to members and civilian employees

Such stores as the Secretary may designate may be procured and sold to members of the Coast Guard, and to the surviving spouses of such members. Such designated stores may also be procured and sold to civilian officers and employees of the United States, and to such other persons as may be specifically authorized by the Secretary, at Coast Guard stations and other units beyond the continental limits of the United States or in Alaska.

§ 2710. Disposition of effects of decedents

All moneys, articles of value, papers, keepsakes, and other similar effects belonging to the deceased persons in the Coast Guard, not claimed by their legal heirs or next of kin, shall be deposited in safe custody, and if any such moneys, articles of value, papers, keepsakes, or other similar effects so deposited have been, or shall hereafter be, unclaimed for a period of two years from the date of the death of such person, such articles and effects shall be sold and the proceeds thereof, together with the moneys above mentioned, shall be deposited in the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts. The Secretary shall make diligent inquiry in every instance after the death of such person to ascertain the whereabouts of his heirs or next of kin, and prescribe necessary regulations to carry out the foregoing provisions. Claims may be presented hereunder at any time within five years after such moneys or proceeds have been so deposited in the Treasury, and, when supported by competent proof in any case after such deposit in the Treasury, shall be certified to Congress for consideration.

§ 2711. Deserters; payment of expenses incident to apprehension and delivery; penalties

• (a) The Coast Guard may, pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary, make such expenditures as are deemed necessary for the apprehension and delivery of deserters, stragglers, and prisoners.
• (b) No person who is convicted by court martial for desertion from the Coast Guard in time of war, and as the result of such conviction is dismissed or dishonorably discharged from the Coast Guard shall afterwards be enlisted, appointed, or commissioned in any military or naval service under the United States, unless the disability resulting from desertion, as established by this section is removed by a board of commissioned officers of the Coast Guard convened for consideration of the case, and the action of the Board is approved by the Secretary; or unless he is restored to duty in time of war.

§ 2712. Payment for the apprehension of stragglers

The Coast Guard may offer and pay rewards for the apprehension and delivery of deserters, stragglers, and prisoners.

§ 2731. Delegation of powers to make awards; rules and regulations

The President may delegate to the Secretary, under such conditions, regulations, and limitations as he prescribes, the powers conferred upon him to make the awards designated in this chapter, and the President may make any and all rules, regulations, and orders which he deems necessary in the conferring of such awards.

§ 2732. Medal of honor

The President may award, and present in the name of Congress, a medal of honor of appropriate design, with ribbons and appurtenances, to a person who, while a member of the Coast Guard, distinguishes himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty—

• (1) while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;
• (2) while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force;
• (3) while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

§ 2733. Medal of honor: duplicate medal

A person awarded a medal of honor shall, upon written application of that person, be issued, without charge, one duplicate medal of honor with ribbons and appurtenances. Such duplicate medal of honor shall be marked, in such manner as the Secretary may determine, as a duplicate or for display purposes only.

§ 2734. Medal of honor: presentation of Medal of Honor Flag

The President shall provide for the presentation of the Medal of Honor Flag designated under section 903 of title 36 to each person to whom a medal of honor is awarded under section 2732 of this title . Presentation of the flag shall be made at the same time as the presentation of the medal under section 2732 or 2743 of this title. In the case of a posthumous presentation of the medal, the flag shall be presented to the person to whom the medal is presented.

§ 2735. Coast Guard cross

The President may award a Coast Guard cross of appropriate design, with ribbons and appurtenances, to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the Coast Guard, when the Coast Guard is not operating under the Department of the Navy, distinguishes himself or herself by extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of a medal of honor—

• (1) while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;
• (2) while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force or international terrorist organization; or
• (3) while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

§ 2736. Distinguished service medal

The President may present, but not in the name of Congress, a distinguished service medal of appropriate design, with accompanying ribbon, together with a rosette or other device, to be worn in lieu thereof, to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the Coast Guard, distinguishes himself by exceptionally meritorious service to the Government in a duty of great responsibility.

§ 2737. Silver star medal

The President may award a silver star medal of appropriate design, with ribbons and appurtenances, to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the Coast Guard, when the Coast Guard is not operating under the Department of the Navy, is cited for gallantry in action that does not warrant a medal of honor or Coast Guard cross—

• (1) while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;
• (2) while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force or international terrorist organization; or
• (3) while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

§ 2738. Distinguished flying cross

The President may present, but not in the name of Congress, a distinguished flying cross of appropriate design, with accompanying ribbon, to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the Coast Guard, distinguishes himself by heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight.

§ 2739. Coast Guard medal

The President may present, but not in the name of Congress, a medal to be known as the Coast Guard medal, of appropriate design, with accompanying ribbon, together with a rosette or other device to be worn in lieu thereof, to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the Coast Guard, distinguishes himself by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy.

§ 2740. Insignia for additional awards

No more than one Coast Guard cross, distinguished service medal, silver star medal, distinguished flying cross, or one Coast Guard medal shall be issued to any one person; but for each succeeding deed or service sufficient to justify the awarding of a Coast Guard cross, distinguished service medal, silver star medal, distinguished flying cross, or Coast Guard medal, the President may award a suitable emblem or insignia to be worn with the decoration and a corresponding rosette or other device.

§ 2741. Time limit on award; report concerning deed

• (a) No medal of honor, Coast Guard cross, distinguished service medal, silver star medal, distinguished flying cross, Coast Guard medal, or bar, emblem, or insignia in lieu thereof may be awarded to a person unless—
  • (1) the award is made within five years after the date of the deed or service justifying the award;
  • (2) a statement setting forth the deed or distinguished service and recommending official recognition of it was made by his superior through official channels within three years from the date of that deed or termination of the service.
• (b) If the Secretary determines that—
  • (1) a statement setting forth the deed or distinguished service and recommending official recognition of it was made by the person’s superior through official channels within three years from the date of that deed or termination of the service and was supported by sufficient evidence within that time; and
  • (2) no award was made, because the statement was lost or through inadvertence the recommendation was not acted upon; a medal of honor, Coast Guard cross, distinguished service medal, silver star medal, distinguished flying cross, Coast Guard medal, or bar, emblem, or insignia in lieu thereof, as the case may be, may be awarded to the person within two years after the date of that determination.

§ 2742. Honorable subsequent service as condition to award

No medal of honor, Coast Guard cross, distinguished service medal, silver star medal, distinguished flying cross, Coast Guard medal, or emblem, or insignia in lieu thereof shall be awarded or presented to any individual, or to the representative of any individual, whose entire service subsequent to the time he distinguished himself shall not in the opinion of the Commandant have been honorable.

§ 2743. Posthumous awards

In case an individual who distinguishes himself dies before the making of any award to which he may be entitled, as authorized in this chapter, the award may be made and presented within five years from the date of the act or service justifying the award to such next of kin as may have been designated by the individual, or in the absence of such designation, or if the designated person is not alive at the time of the award, or the relationship between such person and the serviceman shall have been terminated before his death, then to such representative as the President designates. In the event of a posthumous award when the award will be made to the parents of the deceased and the parents have been divorced or separated, a duplicate award may be made to each parent.

§ 2744. Life-saving medals

• (a) The Secretary may, under regulations prescribed by him, award a Life-saving medal of gold or silver to any person, including personnel of the Coast Guard, who rescues or endeavors to rescue any other person from drowning, shipwreck, or other peril of the water in accordance with the following provisions:
  • (1) if such rescue or attempted rescue is made at the risk of one’s own life and evidences extreme and heroic daring, the medal shall be of gold;
  • (2) if such rescue or attempted rescue is not sufficiently distinguished to deserve the medal of gold, but evidences the exercise of such signal exertion as to merit recognition, the medal shall be of silver.
• (b) In order for a person to be eligible for the Life-saving Medals the rescue or attempted rescue must take place in waters within the United States or subject to the jurisdiction thereof, or if the rescue or attempted rescue takes place outside such waters, one or the other of the parties must be a citizen of the United States or from a vessel or aircraft owned or operated by citizens of the United States.
• (c) No person shall receive more than one gold medal and one silver medal; but any person who has received or may hereafter receive a gold or silver medal and who again performs an act which would entitle him to receive another medal of the same class may be awarded, in lieu of a second medal of the same class, a gold or silver bar, as the case may be, to be worn with the medal already bestowed, and for every such additional act, an additional bar may be awarded. Medals and bars in lieu thereof, authorized by this subsection, may be awarded posthumously.

§ 2745. Replacement of medals

In those cases where a medal, or a bar, emblem, or insignia in lieu thereof, awarded pursuant to this chapter has been stolen, lost, destroyed, or rendered unfit for use without fault or neglect on the part of the person to whom it was awarded, such medal, or bar, emblem, or insignia in lieu thereof, shall be replaced without charge, or, in the discretion of the Secretary, upon condition that the Government is reimbursed for the cost thereof.

§ 2746. Award of other medals

Coast Guard personnel, notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter, may be awarded medals, bars, emblems, or insignia to which such personnel may be entitled under other provisions of law.

§ 2747. Awards and insignia for excellence in service or conduct

The Coast Guard may award trophies, badges, and cash prizes to Coast Guard personnel or groups thereof, including personnel of the reserve components thereof whether or not on active duty, for excellence in accomplishments related to Coast Guard service, to incur such expenses as may be necessary to enter such personnel in competitions, and to provide badges or buttons in recognition of special service, good conduct, and discharge under conditions other than dishonorable.

§ 2748. Presentation of United States flag upon retirement

• (a) Upon the release of a member of the Coast Guard from active duty for retirement, the Secretary shall present a United States flag to the member.
• (b) A member is not eligible for a presentation of a flag under subsection (a) if the member has previously been presented a flag under this section or any other provision of law providing for the presentation of a United States flag incident to release from active service for retirement.
• (c) The presentation of a flag under this section shall be at no cost to the recipient.

§ 2761. Persons discharged as result of court-martial; allowances to

The Secretary may furnish persons discharged pursuant to the sentence of a Coast Guard court-martial suitable civilian clothing and a monetary allowance not to exceed $25 if the person discharged would not otherwise have suitable clothing or funds to meet immediate needs.

§ 2762. Shore patrol duty; payment of expenses

An officer or cadet of the Coast Guard who is assigned shore patrol duty away from his vessel or other duty station may be paid his actual expenses.

§ 2763. Compensatory absence from duty for military personnel at isolated duty stations

The Secretary may grant compensatory absence from duty to military personnel of the Coast Guard serving at isolated duty stations of the Coast Guard when conditions of duty result in confinement because of isolation or in long periods of continuous duty.

§ 2764. Monetary allowance for transportation of household effects

• (b) of section 476 of title 37 shall be available hereafter to pay a monetary allowance in place of such transportation to a member who, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, participates in a program designated by the Secretary in which his baggage and household effects are moved by a privately owned or rental vehicle. This allowance shall not be limited to reimbursement for actual expenses and may be paid in advance of the transportation of the baggage and household effects. The allowance shall, however, be in an amount that will result in savings to the Government when the total cost of the movement of baggage and household effects is compared with the cost that otherwise would have been incurred under subsection
• (b) of section 476 of title 37 .

§ 2765. Retroactive payment of pay and allowances delayed by administrative error or oversight

Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, the Coast Guard may authorize retroactive payment of pay and allowances, including selective reenlistment bonuses, to enlisted members if entitlement to the pay and allowances was delayed in vesting solely because of an administrative error or oversight.

§ 2766. Travel card management

• (a) The Secretary may require that travel or transportation allowances due a civilian employee or military member of the Coast Guard be disbursed directly to the issuer of a Federal contractor-issued travel charge card, but only in an amount not to exceed the authorized travel expenses charged by that Coast Guard member to that travel charge card issued to that employee or member.
• (b) The Secretary may also establish requirements similar to those established by the Secretary of Defense pursuant to section 2784a of title 10 for deduction or withholding of pay or retired pay from a Coast Guard employee, member, or retired member who is delinquent in payment under the terms of the contract under which the card was issued and does not dispute the amount of the delinquency.

§ 2767. Reimbursement for medical-related travel expenses for certain persons residing on islands in the continental United States

In any case in which a covered beneficiary (as defined in section 1072(5) of title 10 ) resides on an island that is located in the 48 contiguous States and the District of Columbia and that lacks public access roads to the mainland, the Secretary shall reimburse the reasonable travel expenses of the covered beneficiary and, when accompaniment by an adult is necessary, for a parent or guardian of the covered beneficiary or another member of the covered beneficiary’s family who is at least 21 years of age, if—

• (1) the covered beneficiary is referred by a primary care physician to a specialty care provider (as defined in section 1074i(b) of title 10 ) on the mainland who provides services less than 100 miles from the location where the beneficiary resides; or
• (2) the Coast Guard medical regional manager for the area in which such island is located determines that the covered beneficiary requires services of a primary care, specialty care, or dental provider and such a provider who is part of the network of providers of a TRICARE program (as that term is defined in section 1072(7) of title 10 ) does not practice on such island.

§ 2768. Annual audit of pay and allowances of members undergoing permanent change of station

The Commandant shall conduct each calendar year an audit of member pay and allowances for the members who transferred to new units during such calendar year. The audit for a calendar year shall be completed by the end of the calendar year.

§ 2769. Remission of indebtedness

The Secretary may have remitted or cancelled any part of a person’s indebtedness to the United States or any instrumentality of the United States if—

• (1) the indebtedness was incurred while the person served as a member of the Coast Guard, whether as a regular or a reserve in active status; and
• (2) the Secretary determines that remitting or cancelling the indebtedness is in the best interest of the United States.

§ 2770. Special instruction at universities

Coast Guard personnel may be assigned for special instruction at private or state colleges or universities, and their expenses, including tuition, books, laboratory equipment and fees, and school supplies, may be defrayed by the Coast Guard.

§ 2771. Attendance at professional meetings

Coast Guard personnel may be directed to attend meetings of technical, professional, scientific, and other similar organizations and may be reimbursed for expenses thereby incurred at the rates authorized by law.

§ 2772. Education loan repayment program

• (a)
  • (1) Subject to the provisions of this section, the Secretary may repay—
    • (A) any loan made, insured, or guaranteed under part B of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1071 et seq.);
    • (B) any loan made under part D of such title (the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, 20 U.S.C. 1087a et seq.); or
    • (C) any loan made under part E of such title ( 20 U.S.C. 1087aa et seq.).
  • (2) The Secretary may repay loans described in paragraph (1) in the case of any person for service performed on active duty as an enlisted member of the Coast Guard in a specialty specified by the Secretary.
• (b) The portion or amount of a loan that may be repaid under subsection (a) is 33⅓ percent or $1,500, whichever is greater, for each year of service.
• (c) If a portion of a loan is repaid under this section for any year, interest on the remainder of such loan shall accrue and be paid in the same manner as is otherwise required.
• (d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize refunding any repayment of a loan.
• (e) The Secretary shall, by regulation, prescribe a schedule for the allocation of funds made available to carry out this section during any year for which funds are not sufficient to pay the sum of the amounts eligible for repayment under subsection (a).

§ 2773. Rations or commutation therefor in money

• (a) Enlisted members of the Coast Guard, civilian officers and civilian crews of vessels, and working parties in the field shall be allowed a ration or commutation thereof in money, in such amount and under limitations and regulations prescribed by the Secretary.
• (b) Money for commuted rations shall be paid, under such regulations as the Secretary shall prescribe, on proper vouchers, or pay rolls, to persons entitled to receive it, or to the officers designated by the Commandant to administer the financial affairs of the messes in which such persons may be subsisted.
• (c) Money paid for commuted rations to the designated officer may be deposited in general or limited depositories of public money or in any bank in which deposits are insured. Such funds shall be expended and accounted for under such regulations as the Secretary shall prescribe.
• (d) Nothing contained in this section shall be construed as modifying or changing in any manner the provisions of law pertaining to subsistence allowances for enlisted members, but no ration or commutation thereof shall be allowed a person receiving a subsistence allowance.

§ 2774. Sales of ration supplies to messes

Ration supplies may be purchased by the cabin, wardroom, warrant officers’, and other authorized messes and payment therefor made in cash to the commissary officer. The prices to be charged for such supplies shall not be less than the invoice prices, and the cash received from such sales shall be accounted for on the ration return and may be expended for the general mess.

§ 2775. Flight rations

There may be furnished to officers, enlisted members, and civilian employees, while actually engaged in flight operations, an aircraft flight ration in kind, chargeable to the proper Coast Guard appropriation, which flight ration shall be supplementary to any ration or subsistence allowance now granted to such personnel. No part of an aircraft flight ration shall be furnished without cost to any person in a travel status or to any person to whom a per diem allowance is granted in lieu of actual subsistence.

§ 2776. Payments at time of discharge for good of service

Enlisted members discharged by dishonorable discharge, bad-conduct discharge, or any other discharge for the good of the service, may, upon discharge, be paid a sum not to exceed $25. The sum paid shall be fixed by and in the discretion of the Commandant, and shall be paid only in cases where the person so discharged would otherwise be without funds to meet his immediate needs.

§ 2777. Clothing for destitute shipwrecked persons

The Coast Guard may furnish clothing and subsistence to destitute shipwrecked persons, and the Coast Guard may reimburse, in cash or in kind, Coast Guard personnel who furnish clothing and subsistence to destitute shipwrecked persons.

§ 2778. Advancement of public funds to personnel

The Commandant, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, may advance public funds to personnel when required to meet expenses of members detailed on emergency shore duty. Funds so advanced shall not exceed a reasonable estimate of the actual expenditures to be made and for which reimbursement is authorized by law.

§ 2779. Transportation to and from certain places of employment

• (a) Whenever the Secretary determines that it is necessary for the effective conduct of the affairs of the Coast Guard, he may, at reasonable rates of fare fixed under regulations to be prescribed by him, provide assured and adequate transportation by motor vehicle or water carrier to and from their places of employment for persons attached to, or employed by, the Coast Guard; and during a war or during a national emergency declared by Congress or the President, for persons attached to, or employed in, a private plant that is manufacturing material for the Coast Guard.
• (b) Transportation may not be provided under subsection (a) unless the Secretary or an officer designated by the Secretary, determines that—
  • (1) other transportation facilities are inadequate and cannot be made adequate;
  • (2) a reasonable effort has been made to induce operators of private facilities to provide the necessary transportation; and
  • (3) the service to be furnished will make proper use of transportation facilities and will supply the most efficient transportation to the persons concerned.
• (c) To provide transportation under subsection (a), the Secretary may—
  • (1) buy, lease, or charter motor vehicles or water carriers having a seating capacity of 12 or more passengers;
  • (2) maintain and operate that equipment by enlisted members or employees of the Coast Guard, or by private persons under contract; and
  • (3) lease or charter the equipment to private or public carriers for operation under terms that are considered necessary by the Secretary or by an officer designated by the Secretary, and that may provide for the pooling of government-owned and privately owned equipment and facilities and for the reciprocal use of that equipment.
• (d) Fares received under subsection (a), and proceeds of the leasing or chartering of equipment under subsection (c)(3), shall be covered into the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts.