I was asked by PALLADIN if I had any more information on how to replace lost Military medals and awards over in another thread.
It all started a year ago shortly after my Dad past.
I was wanting to build a display case for his burial flag and his medals he received while in WWII.
My mom had his Army jacket with the ribbons on it but not the medals.
She had been married to my dad for 61 years in the same house they bought in 1954 and she had never seen the actual medals.
So somewhere back before they met the medals were lost, perhaps left behind at his mom's house.
We found a website for requesting replacement metals.
It takes Military form SF 180 to replace the medals and of course the government instructions are confusing especially to an 82 year old (mom).
Once we figured it out it took some time to receive the medals, nearly 6 months.
Living WWII Veterans or impending death Veterans will get taken care of first then the deceased requests will be filled.
The group that handles the medal requests has a total of six people working to fill over 20,000 requests, those numbers are increasing as our WWII Veterans decrease.
So if your looking to replace your lost medals or perhaps another family member's medals, I have written a step by step process for filling out the
form SF 180.
Just so you Veterans know it is a lot easier and FREE to replace those medals while you are still alive.
It costs money to have your descendants replace them.
And to some of you Vets who trashed your medals in a fit of rage against the country that betrayed you some 40 years ago, please get those medals replaced.
You went through hell to earn those and they are part of your history that your kids or even grandkids will cherish.
By the time I reached 18 the draft was suspended, but I still had to register.
So I was never in the Military but I have the deepest respect for those of you that were in or are now in.
May GOD bless you all and pass you lots of ammo.
Wandered off a bit but here is a step by step on how to fill out SF 180.
If anyone needs help with requesting the "Ruptured Duck" pin or patch I have that information also.
Replacing Lost Military Medals, Decorations and Awards
Things you need to know before you begin:
1) Branch of Service
2) Is the Veteran Deceased?
3) Do you have the Veteran’s discharge papers? DD Form 214 or WD AGO Form 53-55. Having the Discharge papers will speed the process of obtaining the replacement metals. If you do not have the Discharge papers available the Military will locate the papers for you but this takes time.
Obtain Form SF 180, “Request Pertaining to Military Records”.
http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/standard-form-180.html
Filling out the form with Veteran’s Discharge papers:
Section 1-“Information Needed”
1) Complete lines 1 through 7
Information for Line 5 can be found on the discharge papers. Service number is same as Serial number.
You will need to include a copy of the Discharge papers to re-enforce information on Line 5.
Section 2-“Information and/or Documents Requested
1-“Check items you are requesting”
Check Box-“Other” (Specify)
Type this in Specify box: “Replacement of Lost Military Medals, Decorations and Awards”
2-“Purpose”
Check “Personal’
Section 3-“Return Address and Signature”
1-Requester’s Name: your name if Veteran is deceased
2-Select the appropriate box:
1st Box if Veteran is living
2nd Box if Veteran is deceased and you are next of kin, relationship to deceased Veteran must be: surviving spouse, father, mother, son, daughter, sister, brother. Proof of the Veteran’s death must be attached. Types of proof: Death Certificate, Newspaper Obituary, Coroner’s Report.
3-Send to: Self explanatory
4-Authorization: Self explanatory
Filling out the form without Veteran’s Discharge papers: (little bit different)
Section 1-“Information Needed”
1) Complete lines 1 through 7
If the Discharge papers are not available complete as much of Line 5 as possible.
Section 2-“Information and/or Documents Requested
1-“Check items you are requesting”
Check Box-“DD Form 214 or Equivalent”
Fill in date of Veteran’s discharge.
Check Box-“Other” (Specify)
Fill in Specify box with: “Replacement of Lost Military Medals, Decorations and Awards”
2-“Purpose”
Check “Personal’
Section 3-“Return Address and Signature”
1-Requester’s Name: Veteran’s name or your name if Veteran is deceased
2-Select the appropriate box:
1st Box if Veteran is living
2nd Box if Veteran is deceased and you are next of kin, relationship to deceased Veteran must be: surviving spouse, father, mother, son, daughter, sister, brother. Proof of the Veteran’s death must be attached. Types of proof: Death Certificate, Newspaper Obituary, Coroner’s Report.
3-Send to: Self explanatory
4-Authorization: Self explanatory
Items to be sent in:
1.Form SF 180, “Request Pertaining to Military Records”
2.Copy of discharge Papers, DD 214, or WD AGO 53-55, if available
3.Proof of death if Veteran is deceased
Send to:
National Personnel Records Center
1 Archives Drive
St. Louis, MO 63138-1002
It all started a year ago shortly after my Dad past.
I was wanting to build a display case for his burial flag and his medals he received while in WWII.
My mom had his Army jacket with the ribbons on it but not the medals.
She had been married to my dad for 61 years in the same house they bought in 1954 and she had never seen the actual medals.
So somewhere back before they met the medals were lost, perhaps left behind at his mom's house.
We found a website for requesting replacement metals.
It takes Military form SF 180 to replace the medals and of course the government instructions are confusing especially to an 82 year old (mom).
Once we figured it out it took some time to receive the medals, nearly 6 months.
Living WWII Veterans or impending death Veterans will get taken care of first then the deceased requests will be filled.
The group that handles the medal requests has a total of six people working to fill over 20,000 requests, those numbers are increasing as our WWII Veterans decrease.
So if your looking to replace your lost medals or perhaps another family member's medals, I have written a step by step process for filling out the
form SF 180.
Just so you Veterans know it is a lot easier and FREE to replace those medals while you are still alive.
It costs money to have your descendants replace them.
And to some of you Vets who trashed your medals in a fit of rage against the country that betrayed you some 40 years ago, please get those medals replaced.
You went through hell to earn those and they are part of your history that your kids or even grandkids will cherish.
By the time I reached 18 the draft was suspended, but I still had to register.
So I was never in the Military but I have the deepest respect for those of you that were in or are now in.
May GOD bless you all and pass you lots of ammo.
Wandered off a bit but here is a step by step on how to fill out SF 180.
If anyone needs help with requesting the "Ruptured Duck" pin or patch I have that information also.
Replacing Lost Military Medals, Decorations and Awards
Things you need to know before you begin:
1) Branch of Service
2) Is the Veteran Deceased?
3) Do you have the Veteran’s discharge papers? DD Form 214 or WD AGO Form 53-55. Having the Discharge papers will speed the process of obtaining the replacement metals. If you do not have the Discharge papers available the Military will locate the papers for you but this takes time.
Obtain Form SF 180, “Request Pertaining to Military Records”.
http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/standard-form-180.html
Filling out the form with Veteran’s Discharge papers:
Section 1-“Information Needed”
1) Complete lines 1 through 7
Information for Line 5 can be found on the discharge papers. Service number is same as Serial number.
You will need to include a copy of the Discharge papers to re-enforce information on Line 5.
Section 2-“Information and/or Documents Requested
1-“Check items you are requesting”
Check Box-“Other” (Specify)
Type this in Specify box: “Replacement of Lost Military Medals, Decorations and Awards”
2-“Purpose”
Check “Personal’
Section 3-“Return Address and Signature”
1-Requester’s Name: your name if Veteran is deceased
2-Select the appropriate box:
1st Box if Veteran is living
2nd Box if Veteran is deceased and you are next of kin, relationship to deceased Veteran must be: surviving spouse, father, mother, son, daughter, sister, brother. Proof of the Veteran’s death must be attached. Types of proof: Death Certificate, Newspaper Obituary, Coroner’s Report.
3-Send to: Self explanatory
4-Authorization: Self explanatory
Filling out the form without Veteran’s Discharge papers: (little bit different)
Section 1-“Information Needed”
1) Complete lines 1 through 7
If the Discharge papers are not available complete as much of Line 5 as possible.
Section 2-“Information and/or Documents Requested
1-“Check items you are requesting”
Check Box-“DD Form 214 or Equivalent”
Fill in date of Veteran’s discharge.
Check Box-“Other” (Specify)
Fill in Specify box with: “Replacement of Lost Military Medals, Decorations and Awards”
2-“Purpose”
Check “Personal’
Section 3-“Return Address and Signature”
1-Requester’s Name: Veteran’s name or your name if Veteran is deceased
2-Select the appropriate box:
1st Box if Veteran is living
2nd Box if Veteran is deceased and you are next of kin, relationship to deceased Veteran must be: surviving spouse, father, mother, son, daughter, sister, brother. Proof of the Veteran’s death must be attached. Types of proof: Death Certificate, Newspaper Obituary, Coroner’s Report.
3-Send to: Self explanatory
4-Authorization: Self explanatory
Items to be sent in:
1.Form SF 180, “Request Pertaining to Military Records”
2.Copy of discharge Papers, DD 214, or WD AGO 53-55, if available
3.Proof of death if Veteran is deceased
Send to:
National Personnel Records Center
1 Archives Drive
St. Louis, MO 63138-1002