American Gold Star Mothers lay wreath at Tomb of the Unknowns, Gold Star Mothers Sunday, 09/26/05 Soldiers looking at Vietnam Wall Memorial Francis Turley at a funeral for a forgotten veteran. One of the many markers at Arlington Cemetery remembered by a mother Perpetuating the noble principles for which they fought and died.


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From Our Bylaws

Natural mothers, adoptive mothers or stepmothers, who are citizens or legal residents of the United States or of the territorial and insular possessions of the United States, and whose son or daughter has made the supreme sacrifice while in the service of the United States of America Armed Forces, are eligible for membership in American Gold Star Mothers, Inc.

Husbands and children of members of American Gold Star Mothers, Inc may join as Associate Members using the same application. Associate members pay no dues, hold no offices and may not vote.

If you meet the membership requirements, we would be happy to have you join us. Just print out the membership application, fill it out and send it in. You will need Adobe Reader to print the application.

National membership dues are $15. Local chapter and Dept dues are additional and vary across the country. Most are about $3 to $5. See our list of all departments and chapters to find one near you.

If you have DD Form 1300, Report of Casualty, please submit a copy with your application. If you don't have this document, send in the application form without it. 

Clarifications

The term Gold Star Mother refers to any mother who has lost a child in the service of our country.

An American Gold Star Mother is a Gold Star Mother who has joined the American Gold Star Mothers, Inc organization (AGSM).

AGSM is a private organization and can set its own membership rules. Our qualifications for membership have changed over the years. There is currently no requirement that your service member was killed in action or in a particular theater of operation to be a member. The only requirement is that the death was while on active duty.

There is no requirement that the death was in a particular manner (E.G. combat). Deaths from combat, accident, suicide, PTSD all qualify the surviving mother for membership in our organization. Be aware that the death of a service member after he has been discharged from the service, from causes related to his service do not qualify the surviving mother for membership in AGSM. The DoD does make distinctions in determining which of the Gold Star Pins are awarded based on the manner and place of death but we do not. All served and all undertook the associated risks.

There is no requirement that the death was in a particular place (E.G. a combat theater). Deaths in combat theaters, non-combat areas, U. S. bases, at home or on leave all qualify as long as the service member was on active duty at the time of death.