(a) The department shall provide and issue, free of charge, to each resident of this state who is a recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy Cross, the Air Force Cross, the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star (Valor), or the Air Medal (Valor), upon presentation of proper application, a memorial registration plate for one (1) motor vehicle or motor home which is registered or leased for private use in the name of any one (1) recipient. One (1) additional plate may be obtained by any eligible recipient upon payment of the regular registration fee for plates, as prescribed under § 55-4-111, and payment of one-half (½) of the fee provided for in § 55-4-204(c)(1). Additional plates may be obtained by any eligible recipient upon payment of the regular registration fee applicable for plates, as prescribed under § 55-4-111, and the fee provided for in § 55-4-204(c)(1). For the purposes of this section, “private use” vehicle means any motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c) or motor home that is not used for rehire or for any other commercial purpose.

(b)

(1) The memorial plates provided for in this section shall be the same as regular registration plates, but shall be of a distinctive design which denotes the importance of these distinguished veterans and the high regard in which this state holds the courageous recipients of these military decorations.

(2)

(A) On and after May 19, 2014, no plate on which the legend reads “Legion of Valor” shall be issued to any person entitled to a memorial or military cultural registration plate under this chapter, including any recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross or Air Force Cross. A recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross or Air Force Cross shall be issued a distinctive Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross or Air Force Cross memorial registration plate, as appropriate.

(B) The Distinguished Service Cross plates provided for in this section shall include an identification legend distinctive to recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross. The legend shall read “Distinguished Service Cross.” The registration number of the plate shall include the letters “SC” and a unique identifying number.

(C) The Navy Cross plates provided for in this section shall include an identification legend distinctive to recipients of the Navy Cross. The legend shall read “Navy Cross.” The registration number of the plate shall include the letters “NC” and a unique identifying number.

(D) The Air Force Cross plates provided for in this section shall include an identification legend distinctive to recipients of the Air Force Cross. The legend shall read “Air Force Cross.” The registration number of the plate shall include the letters “AC” and a unique identifying number.

(3)

(A) A recipient of the Silver Star, the Bronze Star (Valor), Air Medal (Valor), or the Distinguished Flying Cross shall be issued a distinctive Silver Star, Bronze Star (Valor), Air Medal (Valor), or Distinguished Flying Cross memorial plate, as appropriate.

(B) The Silver Star plates provided for in this section shall include an identification legend distinctive to recipients of the Silver Star. The legend shall read “Silver Star — Valor.” The registration number of the plate shall include the letters “SS” and a unique identifying number.

(C) The Bronze Star (Valor) plates provided for in this section shall include an identification legend distinctive to recipients of the Bronze Star (Valor). The legend shall read “Bronze Star — Valor.” The registration number of the plate shall include the letters “BSV” and a unique identifying number.

(D) The Air Medal (Valor) plates provided for in this section shall include an identification legend distinctive to recipients of the Air Medal (Valor). The legend shall read “Air Medal — Valor.” The registration number of the plate shall include the letters “REV” and a unique identifying number.

(E) The Distinguished Flying Cross plates provided for in this section shall include an identification legend distinctive to recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross. The legend shall read “Distinguished Flying Cross.” The registration number of the plate shall include the letters “FC” and a unique identifying number.

(c)

(1) Notwithstanding any provision of this section or any other law to the contrary, eligibility for the memorial plates provided for in this section shall be determined by the department by consulting the appropriate information on the:

(A) DD214 form and a copy of the orders that awarded the medal or copy of the certificate or citation granting the medal, in the case of an applicant who has been discharged from the armed forces;

(B) Copy of the orders that awarded the medal or copy of the certificate or citation granting the medal, in the case of an applicant who has not been discharged from the armed forces; or

(C) A written communication from the department of veterans services, in the case of an applicant who does not possess the documentation required by subdivision (c)(1)(A) or (c)(1)(B).

(2) The form, documentation, or communication required by subdivision (c)(1) shall certify that the application for the plate is submitted by a recipient of the military decorations described in this section, as appropriate.