Any person who is serving or has served in any branch of the United States military, including the reserves or National Guard, during any part of Operation Noble Eagle and has not been dishonorably discharged may receive special motor vehicle license plates for any motor vehicle such person owns, either solely or jointly, other than an apportioned motor vehicle or a commercial motor vehicle licensed in excess of twenty-four thousand pounds gross weight. Any such person shall make application for the special license plates on a form provided by the director of revenue and furnish such proof of service during Operation Noble Eagle or proof of status as an honorably discharged veteran as the director may require. Upon presentation of the proof of eligibility and annual payment of the fee required for personalized license plates prescribed by section 301.144, and other fees and documents which may be required by law, the director shall then issue license plates bearing letters or numbers or a combination thereof as determined by the advisory committee established in section 301.129*, with the words "OPERATION NOBLE EAGLE" in place of the words "SHOW-ME STATE". Such plates shall also bear an image of the American flag. The plates shall be clearly visible at night and shall be aesthetically attractive, as prescribed by section 301.130. There shall be no limit on the number of license plates any person qualified under this section may obtain so long as each set of license plates issued under this section is issued for vehicles owned solely or jointly by such person. License plates issued pursuant to this section shall not be transferable to any other person except that any registered co-owner of the motor vehicle may operate the motor vehicle for the duration of the year licensed in the event of the death of the qualified person.
§ 301.3116, RSMo