10 U.S.C. § 8766: Loan or gift of articles to ships’ sponsors and donors

The Secretary of the Navy, under regulations prescribed by him and without expense to the United States, may lend or give—(1) to the sponsor of a vessel the name plate or any small article of negligible or sentimental value from that vessel; and (2) to any State, group, or organization named in section 8765 of this title any article, material, or equipment, including silver service, given by it.