Flying The U.S. Flag At Half-Staff

When flown at half-staff, the flag should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The term "Half-Staff" means the position of the flag when it is one-half the distance between the top and bottom of the staff (the term "half-mast" is a naval term and inappropriate in Air Force usage). The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day. On Memorial Day the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff.

By order of the President, the flag should be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government and the Governor of a State, territory, or possession, as a mark of respect to their memory. In the event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag is to be displayed at half-staff according to Presidential instruction or orders, or in accordance with recognized customs or practices not inconsistent with law. In the event of the death of a president or former official of the government of any territory, or possession may proclaim that the National flag shall be flown at half-staff.

The flag shall be flown at half-staff

• thirty days from the death of the President or a former President
• ten days from the day of death of the Vice President, the Chief Justice or a retired Chief Justice of the United States, or the Speaker of the House of Representatives
• from the day of death until interment of an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a Secretary of an executive or military department, former Vice President, or the Governor of a State, territory, or possession
• on the day of death and the following days for a Member of Congress (Senator, Representative, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico).

Flags carried by troops are never at half-staff.