Navy Gold Star

Navy Gold Star is the Navy’s official program for providing long-term support to surviving families of Sailors who pass while on Active Duty.

If you are visiting this page because you are a surviving family member of a deceased service member, please accept our heartfelt sympathy and gratitude for your loved one’s service and sacrifice in defending our nation. Your loved one has given the ultimate sacrifice, and we know that there is nothing we can say or do that will completely comfort you in your loss. There is no greater calling than to serve our nation with honor.

Often, after the loss of a loved one, unresolved issues or questions may present themselves months or years after a loss. The Navy is dedicated to providing long-term casualty assistance to foster resiliency for Surviving families of deceased Service Members for as long as they desire. Navy Gold Star Coordinators provide dedicated outreach and support when, and for as long as, you desire. Coordinators are located all over the United States and are ready to help you in any way they can. Navy Region Southwest serves as the hub for Navy Gold Star families stationed and residing in Pacific and Far East OCONUS locations. Navy Gold Star Coordinators use an all-inclusive approach to delivering services through a combination of available government and non-government programs and organizations — Chaplain services, personal financial counseling, school liaison assistance, family employment and clinical counseling. For more information about the Pacific Navy Gold Star Program, complete the ONLINE REFERRAL FORM or call 1-619-532-2886 and a Fleet & Family Support Center Navy Gold Star Coordinator in San Diego will contact you.

For more information about the Navy Gold Star program, visit https://www.navygoldstar.com/

Eligibility

Personnel eligible to participate in the NGS program include the widow, parents, and next of kin. The term "widow" includes widower; the term "parents" includes mother, father, stepmother, stepfather, mother through adoption, father through adoption, and foster parents who stood in loco parentis; the term "next of kin" only includes children, brothers, sisters, half-brothers, and half-sisters; and the term "children" includes stepchildren and children through adoption.

Participation in the Navy Gold Star program does not provide or grant authorization to Survivors for additional benefits/privileges beyond what the Survivor was entitled to prior to the death of the service member.

Remembering the Fallen

Gold Star Lapel Button

Gold Star Pins signify the ultimate sacrifice made by our Sailors and their Families. This symbol consists of a gold star on a purple background, bordered in gold and surrounded by gold laurel leaves. It is designated for eligible survivors of service members who lose their lives during any armed hostilities in which the United States is engaged, dating back to World War I. This includes service members who lose their lives while deployed in support of military operations against the enemy or during an international terrorist attack.

Next of Kin of Deceased Personnel Lapel Button

This symbol consists of a gold star within a circle that commemorates his or her honorable service. The gold star is also surrounded by sprigs of oak that represent the branches of the Armed Forces. It is designated for eligible survivors of service members who lose their lives while serving honorably under circumstances not defined above. This includes service members who lose their lives while assigned to a Reserve or National Guard unit in a drill status. It is authorized for issue retroactive to March 29, 1973.

For more information on Gold Star Pins, visit: https://www.goldstarpins.org/

Gold Star Service Flag

The Gold Star Service Flag is displayed in memory of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Gold Star Parking

Navy Gold Star makes life easier for the families of the fallen through specially marked parking spaces. They bear this signage and symbolize a Sailor’s sacrifice and that of those left behind. If you’re driving and see these dedicated spaces, please leave it vacant. It’s reserved, with much gratitude, for the families of those who gave