Upon the release of an officer of the commissioned corps of the Service from active commissioned service for retirement, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall present a United States flag to the officer.

An officer is not eligible for presentation of a flag under subsection (a) if the officer 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.

The presentation of a flag under this section shall be at no cost to the recipient.

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title II, § 213, as added Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title VI, § 652(b), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 665.)