10 U.S.C. § 1521: Posthumous commissions

was appointed to a commissioned grade but was unable to accept the appointment because of death; successfully completed the course at an officers’ training school and was recommended for appointment to a commissioned grade by the commanding officer or officer in charge of the school but was unable to accept the appointment because of death; or was officially recommended for appointment or promotion to a commissioned grade but was unable to accept the promotion or appointment because of death. A commission issued under subsection (a) shall issue as of the date of the appointment, recommendation, or official recommendation, as the case may be, and the member’s name shall be carried on the records of the military or executive department concerned as if he had served in the grade, and branch if any, in which posthumously commissioned, from the date of the appointment, recommendation, or official recommendation to the date of his death. A commission issued under subsection (a) in connection with the promotion of a deceased member to a higher commissioned grade shall require certification by the Secretary concerned that, at the time of death of the member, the member was qualified for appointment to that higher grade.