Upon the release of a commissioned officer from active commissioned service for retirement, the Secretary 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.
(
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 853v of this title prior to repeal by