22 U.S.C. § 2625

Any gift or decoration on deposit with the Department of State on October 15, 1966, shall, when approved by the Secretary of State and the appropriate department, agency, office, or other entity, be released to the donee or his legal representative. Such donee may, if authorized, be entitled to wear any decoration so approved. A gift or decoration not approved for release, because of any special or unusual circumstances involved, shall be deemed a gift to the United States and shall be deposited by the donee in accordance with the rules and regulations issued pursuant to this chapter.