The military recognizes that military medals are often a cherished part of family history and makes replacement medals, decorations, and awards available to veterans or their next of kin if the veteran is no longer living or able to make the request on his or her own behalf.
Requests for replacement medals, decorations, and awards should be made to the veteran’s respective branch of service, with the exception of Army and Air Force (including Army Air Corps) veterans; requests should be sent to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis where the records will be reviewed and verified. The NPRC will then forward the requests to the respective service where the medal, decoration, or award will be issued.
Who Can Request Replacement Medals or Decorations?
The military won’t issue replacement medals or awards to just anyone. You typically need to be the veteran or next of kin to receive a replacement medal or decoration.
Are you Next-of-Kin, or part of the general public? When it comes to military records requests, there are three categories of people who can make a request. They include the veteran, Next-of-Kin (NOK), and the general public. It is important to note that Next-of-Kin doesn’t include all familial relationships. According to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC), NOK includes:
- For the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps & Coast Guard, the NOK is defined as: the un-remarried widow or widower, son, daughter, father, mother, brother or sister.
- For the Army, the NOK is defined as: the surviving spouse, eldest child, father or mother, eldest sibling or eldest grandchild.
- If you do not meet the definition of NOK, you are considered a member of the general public.
How to Submit a Request
You can request replacement military medals, decorations and awards via form SF 180, Request Pertaining To Military Records. This form can be downloaded from http://www.va.gov/vaforms/.
Each request should be filled out neatly, and should include the veteran’s branch of service, social security number, dates of service, and it should be signed by the veteran or the next of kin if the veteran is incapacitated or deceased. Supporting documentation such as discharge paperwork or the veteran’s DD Form 214 or other military records can help speed the process. Additional information on where to send the form and who is eligible to make the request can be found at the NPRC website.
How Much Does it Cost?
In general, military records requests made by the veteran are fulfilled at no cost. This includes requests made by family members who have the signed authorization of the veteran. There may be an associated fee for requests made by next of kin, especially if the request involves archival records (records are considered archival records 62 years after the veteran’s date of separation from military service).
Members of the general public may be able to request a copy of the servicemember’s military records, but are not able to receive a medal issued by the service. However, they would be able to purchase these from commercial sources (see below for more information on where to buy replacement military medals, rank insignia, and other military decorations).
Where Can I Get Copies of Other Military Records?
Your military personnel file is part of your legacy. I recommend maintaining a copy of your military records forever. This can help you prove your military service, help you support a VA disability claim, serve as a record of when and where you served, and provide your family with something to commemorate your military service.
Most military records are maintained at the National Archives. These records include your service contracts, separation paperwork, records of military awards, decorations, and medals, records of your duty stations, and possibly more.
The following links offer additional references for obtaining these military records:
- Request copies of military records or perform historical research (click this link for more information about pictures of servicemembers in uniform).
- Request copy of DD Form 214.
- Get a Veterans ID Card.
Where Can I Purchase Replacement Medals, Ribbons, Rank Insignia, or other Military Items?
If you are a servicemember or retiree, you can purchase them at your base clothing sales store. Everyone else should look at military surplus stores, or any of the many online stores that specialize in military rank, insignia, medals, ribbons, uniform items, and similar military gear. A quick online search should bring up many results. It’s always a good idea to shop around for quality and price. A good place to start is USAMilitaryMedals.com, which guarantees the quality of the products they sell.
What about replacement dog tags? The military, the VA, and the National Archives do not reissue dog tags to veterans. The military does issue them to currently serving military members. This article explains how to order replacement dog tags.
Photo credit: The U.S. Army.
Good job! I was wondering how someone would go about getting their dog tags as well.
Regards
Rex
How can my son get copies of his military photos that were destroyed by a fire?
How long does it generally take for this process to be completed and medals to be delivered?
My father is a veteran, and I want to obtain replacements of the medals and rewards my father received while in the military.
I lost my dogtags in a car crash how can i get some replacements from the VA why is it so difficult in order to get them replaced… i would gladly pay extra just to get them made by the us gov
I am 83 years old and cannot find my dogtags. My wish is for a replacement and I do not know the procedure. Please let me know how I can get them replaced. Thank you for your assistance. Joe P Sepulveda
Would like to know the info. That was on my wife’s dads army tags
So I can use that info. To out on a pair of dog tags and give it to her
For a Christmas present. It would be very touching, cause her dad meant
Everything to her. Please email me the info. Or a phone number to reach
You. Thank you for your help.
I’m confused as to why it is not possible to have lost dog tags replaced.
I recently found that my dog tags from army in 1964-1966 are lost.
I would like to have them replaced. Are the commercially produced dog tags acceptable/recognized by the Army/Gonernment?
Input would be much appreciated.
My dad recently died and the only copy of his official Army photograph, the one in front of the flag and in his uniform, is in my grandfather’s house. We have no access to it. How do I obtain a copy of this photography?
I found some dog tags and am trying to find the owner, Phill George. I’ve searched Facebook and messaged a few but it will go to their other folder and may never been seen.
so if i need to get all my medals replaced due to them being lost or stolen, i just write the NPRC? also what do i need to do in order to get a complete copy of my medical records from the military
i am getting a tattoo for my grand parents and its a cross with my grandpas dog tags rapped around it. I’m not sure if he still has them and i don’t want to ask him because i want to surprise them with my tattoo. so i was wondering if there is a way of finding out my grandpas dog tags so i can get the tattoo.
How do you find out what medals and things he received ? I was young when he past anyone who had a clue has passed as well other than his sister and she doesn’t know
My dads WWII records were lost in the fire, but a friend of mine says I can still obtain his medals and ribbons. He was a top turret gunner in a B-17 stationed in England.
Three of my great uncles fought in WWI, Frederick and Theodore Biel and Frank Kaib. I know my Uncle Frank suffered from shell shock and did spend some time institutionalized, but I remember him as a really great guy. Uncle Frank brought his wife, my Aunt Ida back with him at some point. I have some really great photo’s of them in uniform. Is there any way that I could get their military records. I’d love to see exactly where they served and what medals they earned during their service. Is this a possibility?
My grandfather died 10years ago he was in the army guard my mother lost all his medals . my mother only has 1 month left to live and I want to fulfill her last wish and get them for her. I just want to know where can I get a list of medals he had. Please I don’t have much time. Any help is appreciated.
I requested replacement medals from nam and others. I sent my DD214 to speed up the process. That was 3 months ago. Still haven’t heard a word from them. Any way to contact them or is this normal. Thanks for doing what you do here.
Hi Ryan,
I am trying to obtain my mothers navy pictures, she was enlisted February 22, 1974- September 16, 1976. She passed away October 31, 2003 to breast cancer that spread. I’ve wanted to replace the big group picture that she was in that was ruined. I have all of her military paperwork. If you can please direct me in the right direction.
Thank you,
Ann Marie
How does a person go about replacing (government ) DOG TAGS , anything I have checked into are substandard and I am almost positive not up to government specs .
Any help in pointing me in the right direction would be nice , either getting government issue or someone that is up to government standards .
Mine have disappeared over the years I entered the Army in 1971.
Thank You
George OBrien
My husband has his original dd214 when he got out of the Army in 1970. It has his medal awards listed. When we requested a copy of his dd214 it did not list these medals, including the Purple Heart he earned. He lost his medals and we want them replaced. How do we get the dd214 updated to include all his awards?
How would I find out my dad’s army information? He died 3 yes ago and I want to have some dog tags made to put on his urn and a second set made for me to wear in remembrance. Also I have no idea if he received any medals or awards as I came along a long time after his service to this country but I would love to honor him in this way. I have been trying since he died to find out and no luck. Any help would be appreciated thanks.
Ryan My Father served in World War ll and I so proud to call him my Father. He Passed away Nov. 2013. When he was buried I reiceved his Military Flag for his Service and was my honor to get the Burial Flag which sits atop my table along with his medals and Purple Heart which I have on display to honor him and his service and for his Grandchildren my Girls who he helped me raise because he loved them and they equally loved and cared for him in his final days. The question I’m asking is that a neighbor of mine told me a story my Dad told her about when him and his comrades where under fire by the enemy and when it was all over my Father realized he had to get them to safty and carried I’m not sure how many maybe four or so… Read more »
Hello, my dad served in Germany in WW11. He passed away at the end of Nov 2015. His medals were taken during a break in and I was wondering if there’s a chance I could get a replacement set. I know the criteria is different if you served in in the Army. Navy, Marine and Air Force includes many more family members!
His proud daughter.
Ryan, I transferred from the Navy to the MA Air National Guard. All of my medals transferred except my 2 Navy/Marine Corp achievement medals. I have the original certificate that came with the medal as well as my DD214 which has them both listed. The problem is, my unit states that I need the citation that went with the certificate. I never received these so I am not really sure what to do now. I have been search the internet all day. Thank you in advance!
My father received a medal from the country of Vietnam. How would I go about getting a replacement for that?
My great uncle STAFF SCT. ROBERT RUTH was in WWII he joined the Army right after the attack on Pearl Harbor he went to North Africa and then took part in the allied invasion of Sicily and he also took part in the invasion of Italy before being reassigned to England in 1944 where he was under Gen. George Patton. and on June 6th 1944 he took part in the fourth amphibious landing on Normandy on D-Day in France with the seventh army and his tank crewmates headed across country in their fourth invasion. the only difference is that the crew would not return from this battle’ he was a top turret gunner in his tank. he was killed in action on July 29th 1944 in France he was killed instantly by mortar shell fragments he died at his post faced by a German self propelled 88mm gun.their is more… Read more »
Hello Ryan
I was wondering if the NPRC is able to obtain my Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal with a combat “V”award, I lost my actual citation award, not my medal. I am just hoping to get the actual award citation when I got awarded it> Do you think they are able to retreived that?
I would love to have anything from my fathers time he served. He was Staff Sargent John Everett Coburn Sr. I have nothing and I am unsure how to obtain it.
I would also like to know if there is anyway to obtain pictures taken while in service? My husband served from 1972 – 1976. Robert Lewis McIlroy. He did not purchase. His children and I would love to see him in uniform. Is there some kind of permanent file that can be accessed? Thank you so much for your time.
Can you help me find a list of the medals awarded to my brother Michael T. La Medica who served in Worl War II and was killed in action on February 4, 1944. I would like to aquire a set of them for the younger people in our family. I thank you for any help you can give me.
Dolores La Medica
My husband died in Viet Nam in 1968 while serving in the Army. I remarried, but when I try to complete the online eVetRecs, the only option available under next of kin is un-remarried spouse. The instructions on the website state the next of kin for an Army service member is a surviving spouse. Does that mean the only way I can obtain replacement medals for his medals that are lost is by mail?
Hello,
I’m not sure if you’ll see this message; however, I recently obtained my father’s entire military file from the National Archives with the assistance of my Congressman’s office. My father received an Other Than Honorable Discharge. He did receive a few medals while he was a Marine in Vietnam. I did speak to a few different people who told me even though he had an OTH discharge, I can still get his medals. Though, I had read some conflicting information online. Can you confirm if I would be able to get his medals even though he had an OTH discharge?
Thanks so much,
Stacey
How do I go by getting a copy of husband’s marine grad and dress blues pictures? Veterans Day is coming and kids are asking for pictures to honor their father at school.
I applied for and received my father’s military records. He enlisted in 1940 and retired in 1969 as a MSGT (Medical). It included his full records including subsequent and final DD-214, medical records, etc. He was a Combat Medic in both WW-2 and Korea. He has listed, among others, Combat Medics award (two times, one for each war) and a Purple Heart and Bronze Star (listed as awarded in April 1945. Isn’t there a Certificate issued for the Purple Heart and Bronze Star giving the facts of the case award? They did not include any information about the awards other than entry on his DD-214 and a mention in a subsequent medical record. How can I find out the details connected to the awards? Many thanks for your comments.
Sincerely,
George
My father passed away this past Sunday, we have his DD=214 but there are no remarks as to any badges, medals, decorations on it. He enlisted in ’76 but its as if they were trying to get him out as fast as possible so almost every section states “NA”. My spouse who recently retired wants to set up a rack for my nephew which my father adopted but I have no way of knowing what he earned. How do I find out that information when I dont have my fathers SSN?
I retired from the army in 1993. I recently discovered that some newer medal have been authorized for some of the activities that I was involved in. Is there a way for me to have those medals added to my file so I can wear them. My granddaughter is getting married and I am giving her away and she wants me to wear my uniform for the ceremony.
Joined the Air Force in 1961 and left service in 1969. Went through the process of enlistment put on the dog tags and enjoyed 8 years of service. The other day I was cleaning out a drawer and ran on to the one dog tag that I have (other dog tag is missing and I have no idea as to where it is). I looked at it and realized that my first name was spelled wrong. I have no idea as to how I missed that but after this long I just now noticed the mis-spelling.
It reads as follows:
Moore, Rogers A
AF18621810
T63 O Pos
Methodist
It should read:
Moore, Rogers A
AF18621810
T63 O Pos
Methodist
How do I go about getting a dog tag with the right first name spelling?
Rogers A Moore
I am trying to find a source for awards certificates that my father should have been given at the time he was given the awards back in the ‘ 50’s during the Korean War. He was awarded the Bronze Star w/v- National Defense Medal- U.N. Service (Korea) Medal as well as the Korean Service Medal (three) times. I find it hard to believe, that after hours of searching on this computer, that this information is not easily available to veterans who lay their lives on the line for this country past or present. Can you help at all with this matter? I am working on a shadow box for him. Thanks for any help that you can provide and may God bless all those who serve honorably.
Ryan, I requested my Father’s WWII medals be replaced. After 3 months I received a call from National Archives that my younger sister had already been given a replacement set in 2016. My Father was in the Army. I am the eldest child, so I am considered next of kin. What can I do or who should I contact to see if I can get the medals?
Hey Ryan I have my dads military records. Well I think I have everything I see a section on there with the metals he received but is there anyway to find all of the army qualification badges and stuff like that that he received.
Thank you
Hi, I am just wondering if you can restore military plaques ? My grandfather who has passed away has a few plaques that has a little bit of fire damaged to them like the metal on it has melted a little bit and the wood is messed up on it so My grandmother wants to fix them or gets new ones. So i am asking can yall do that? Thank you!
Sincerely,
Meagan
Im sure this was answered, but im trying to help out my father as a suprise. He served in the Vietnam War and after leaving the service in 1972, there were medals he never recieved at all. How do i get this process started? Should i send a direct email to anyone in particular or is there a link to a site i can have these medals issued to him?
Hi Ryan, I don’t understand why the Army won’t allow any sons or daughters to request a duplicate medal? My dad (who passed away 53 years ago at the age of 50, served in the Army during WWII. I do have his purple heart, but didn’t even know, until doing some research, that he had also received two other medals. I was only 5 when he died, so I have no way of knowing what happened to them, and my mom is no longer living. I only know that is the only medal I have. I have older half-siblings, but my dad’s marriage to my mom was a 2nd marriage, and I do know they don’t have the other medals, but I’m not really in touch with them (and the oldest is almost 80 anyway.) Kind of a strange and unique situation. Do you have any suggestion for me? I… Read more »
I never received my certificate for honorable discharge. I requested it from St Louis several years ago and was sent another copy of my DD214! I don’t know who to contact or even ask about what I want.
How could I get my fathers dog tags corrected they got his name spelled wrong on them and he just passed away a few months ago
I am the eldest child (NOK) of a WWII BSM eligible army veteran, what will the cost be? I sent all required docs.
I have been trying for years but have not come across or been directed in the right direction for my certain situation. Howto obtain my american flag in a wooden frame with a small plaque of name on it, i dont know no if that is considered an award, let me explain upon returning from iraq every soldier was given a wood framed glass enclosed american flag as they were sent to the uits and distributed thru the supply sgt. my supply sgt. justt never gave me mine i did one box with my name on it which first made me awhere i had one coming, and as time went on i never recieved mine so i asked the supply sgt. and he looke around whether he knew it was there or not i still wonder, but he informed me he coild not licate it and shortly after he PCS,… Read more »