§ 404-e. Distinctive plates for purple heart recipients. 1. Any purple heart recipient residing in this state or the spouse of any such recipient shall, upon request, be issued a license plate bearing the words "combat wounded" and inscribed the purple heart medal imprint. If a distinctive plate is issued to a purple heart recipient pursuant to this section, additional distinctive plates may be issued for every vehicle registered in the name of the purple heart recipient residing in this state or the spouse of such purple heart recipient. Application for said license plate shall be filed with the commissioner in such form and detail as the commissioner shall prescribe.

2. The distinctive plate authorized herein shall be issued upon proof, satisfactory to the commissioner, that the applicant or the spouse of the applicant is a purple heart recipient.

3. A distinctive plate issued pursuant to this section shall be issued in the same manner as other number plates upon payment of the regular registration fee prescribed by section four hundred one of this article, provided, however, that no service charge shall be charged for such plate.