How to Get Replacement Military Medals

Military medals can be lost during moves, damaged over time, destroyed in fires or floods, or separated from a Veteran's other military records.

In many cases, the Veteran does not simply need to purchase another medal from a retailer.

The appropriate military service can first verify the Veteran's official entitlement to the award and, when authorized, issue a replacement.

The National Personnel Records Center can play an important role in locating and verifying the underlying personnel records, but NPRC does not itself issue military medals.

Medal issuance is a function of the individual military services.

Can Veterans Get Replacement Military Medals?

Yes.

The National Archives states that, in general, the military services will process replacement medal requests for Veterans at no cost.

This can include officially authorized medals, decorations, and service awards that were previously earned by the Veteran.

Family members can also assist a living Veteran when the Veteran provides the required signed authorization.

Procedures for the next of kin of a deceased Veteran are more complicated and vary depending on the military branch and age of the Veteran's record.

Who Actually Issues Replacement Medals?

The individual military services issue military medals and decorations.

The National Personnel Records Center can review the Veteran's military personnel file to verify which awards were officially authorized and then route or support the request according to the applicable service procedure.

This distinction matters because a request for military records and a request for physical replacement medals are related but are not exactly the same transaction.

If your goal is to obtain the Veteran's complete personnel record rather than replacement decorations, read How to Get Your Complete Military Personnel File .

What Records Are Used to Verify Military Awards?

Military services generally rely on the Veteran's official personnel record when determining which medals and decorations were authorized.

Depending on the Veteran's service history, useful records may include:

DD214 or other separation documents
Official Military Personnel File records
Award orders
Citations
Personnel actions
Service records showing qualifying campaigns or assignments
Other official military documentation

A DD214 often lists awards and decorations, but the DD214 is not necessarily the only record that can establish entitlement.

If you no longer have your separation document, read How to Replace a Lost DD214 .

Step 1: Identify the Veteran's Branch of Service

Start by identifying the military branch in which the Veteran earned the medals.

Replacement medal procedures differ among:

Army
Air Force
Space Force
Navy
Marine Corps
Coast Guard

The branch matters because each military department ultimately controls issuance of its own authorized awards.

The National Archives maintains a current branch-by-branch routing guide for medal requests.

Step 2: Determine Whether the Veteran Is Living or Deceased

The identity of the requester affects how the medal request is handled.

A living Veteran can generally request replacement medals based on their own service.

A family member helping a living Veteran may need signed authorization from the Veteran.

If the Veteran has died, qualifying next of kin may be able to request replacement medals, but the exact rules vary by military branch.

Do not assume the next-of-kin definition used for an ordinary DD214 request is identical to every service's medal-replacement rule.

Who Counts as Next of Kin for Replacement Medals?

Current National Archives guidance uses different definitions depending on the service branch.

For the Air Force, Space Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, NARA currently identifies next of kin as:

An un-remarried widow or widower, son, daughter, father, mother, brother, or sister.

For the Army, current NARA medal guidance defines next of kin as:

The surviving spouse, eldest child, father or mother, eldest sibling, or eldest grandchild.

Someone who does not meet the applicable next-of-kin definition may be treated as a member of the general public for purposes of the medal request.

For broader military-record access rules, see Who Can Legally Request a Veteran's Military Records? .

Step 3: Gather the Veteran's Military Information

The records custodian needs enough information to locate the correct personnel file and verify the awards.

Useful information can include:

Complete name used during military service
Branch of service
Rank
Service number, if known
Social Security number, when applicable
Dates of military service
Date of birth
DD214 or other discharge paperwork
Any existing award orders, citations, or military records

Providing copies of military records you already possess can help establish the awards being requested.

If important identifying information is missing, use What Information Do I Need to Request a DD214? as a general military-record request checklist.

Step 4: Clearly State That You Are Requesting Replacement Awards

Do not submit a vague request asking only for "military records" if the actual goal is replacement medals.

Clearly identify the request as being for replacement military medals, decorations, awards, or ribbons.

If you know which medals are missing, identify them.

If you are uncertain which awards the Veteran was officially entitled to receive, the personnel record can be reviewed to verify the authorized decorations.

Step 5: Use the Correct Medal Request Route

One of the most important differences between a medal request and an ordinary military-record request is where the request is sent.

NARA specifically warns requesters not to assume the standard records addresses listed on SF-180 should be used for every medal request.

Instead, requesters should use the current military awards routing instructions for the applicable service branch.

NARA's replacement-medals page provides the current destinations and identifies where medals are issued and where problems or appeals should be directed.

Can You Request Replacement Medals Online?

For many former service members, yes.

The National Archives provides an online military-record request process that includes replacement medals among the available request categories.

NARA's current online system uses ID.me identity verification for new requests and electronic responses.

However, the final processing and issuance path still depends on the Veteran's branch and circumstances.

An online request therefore does not mean NPRC itself manufactures and mails every medal.

Can You Use Standard Form 180 to Request Replacement Medals?

SF-180 can be used as part of certain replacement-award requests, but the completed request must be routed according to the applicable medal-request instructions.

This is where Veterans can easily make a mistake.

The National Archives specifically notes that the standard records-location addresses on SF-180 should not automatically be used for the issuance or replacement of medals and awards.

Use the branch-specific Military Awards and Decorations instructions to determine the proper destination.

How Do Army Veterans Request Replacement Medals?

Army procedures depend partly on the Veteran's current status and when Army service ended.

Current Army Human Resources Command guidance states that:

Soldiers currently serving on active duty, in the Army National Guard, or Army Reserve should generally work through their unit.

Army retirees and Veterans whose service ended before October 1, 2002 are currently directed by Army guidance to submit replacement-medal requests through the National Personnel Records Center.

Army retirees and Veterans whose service ended after October 1, 2002 are currently directed by Army Human Resources Command to submit the request to HRC's Awards and Decorations Branch.

Because routing procedures can change, verify the current Army instructions before mailing the request.

How Do Navy Veterans Request Replacement Medals?

Navy Personnel Command currently provides a replacement process for Veterans whose authorized medals or ribbons were lost, destroyed, or became unfit for wear because of age or deterioration.

Current Navy guidance describes the government replacement as generally a one-time replacement under the applicable rules.

Veterans and immediate next of kin of deceased Navy Veterans can use Standard Form 180 to request replacement awards through the appropriate Navy records process.

Navy guidance also notes that miniature decorations and foreign awards are not replaced through this program.

How Do Marine Corps Veterans Request Replacement Medals?

Marine Corps award verification and replacement procedures are handled through current Marine Corps and National Archives routing instructions.

Current Marine Corps guidance states that Veterans and qualifying next of kin are generally entitled to a one-time replacement of authorized awards.

Supporting military records are used to verify what the Marine was officially authorized to receive.

The Marine Corps does not replace every category of decoration through this process. For example, current Marine guidance excludes certain foreign awards and marksmanship badges from its replacement program.

What About Air Force and Space Force Medals?

NARA's current medals guidance includes Air Force, Army Air Corps, Army Air Forces, and Space Force within its Air Force routing information.

The appropriate Air Force personnel organization ultimately handles medal issuance after the Veteran's entitlement has been verified.

Reserve and Air National Guard Veterans can have different servicing personnel organizations from active-component Veterans.

Because routing can depend on the service category, use the current NARA medal-request table rather than sending a request to an outdated address found on an old website.

What About Coast Guard Replacement Medals?

Coast Guard medal requests follow Coast Guard procedures.

NARA's current routing instructions direct Coast Guard medal matters to the appropriate Coast Guard Personnel Service Center and identify the Coast Guard Medals and Awards Branch for applicable problems or appeals.

As with every branch, verify current contact information before mailing sensitive military records.

Does a Veteran Have to Pay for Replacement Medals?

In general, Veterans can receive authorized replacement medals through their military service without a charge.

Exact limitations vary by branch.

Some military services provide only one government replacement set and may require subsequent replacements to be purchased commercially.

Costs can also differ when a family member or member of the general public is seeking medals associated with an older archival record.

Do not send money with a military medal request unless the appropriate government agency specifically instructs you to do so.

Can Family Members Request Medals for a Deceased Veteran?

Yes, qualifying next of kin may be able to request replacement medals for a deceased Veteran.

However, the rules differ by service branch and whether the military personnel file is archival or non-archival.

NARA currently distinguishes between records less than 62 years after separation and records that have become archival at the 62-year threshold.

For some branches, qualifying next of kin can request replacement medals at no cost even when the record is archival.

For other branches, archival next-of-kin requests may require the requester to obtain the Veteran's OMPF, determine the verified awards, and obtain physical replacements through another source.

Because these rules are branch-specific, check NARA's current table before submitting the request.

How Does the 62-Year Archival Rule Affect Medal Requests?

Official Military Personnel Files generally become archival 62 years after the service member separates from military service.

Archival status matters because access rules change and the process for obtaining replacement medals for a deceased Veteran can differ by branch.

NARA's current medal guidance states that, for qualifying next of kin:

Army, Navy, and Marine Corps archival medal requests may currently be accepted through NPRC at no cost.

Current NARA guidance states that Air Force, Coast Guard, and Space Force do not accept the same type of next-of-kin archival replacement-medal request.

In those cases, the requester may need to obtain the Veteran's archival OMPF to determine the authorized awards and then obtain the physical medals commercially.

Can the General Public Request a Veteran's Medals?

The general public has different rights from the Veteran or qualifying next of kin.

Once the military personnel file becomes archival, members of the public can generally purchase the Veteran's Official Military Personnel File and use the personnel record to identify authorized awards.

NARA currently advises general-public requesters to obtain the medals themselves from a commercial source rather than expecting the military service to issue a free replacement set.

For non-archival personnel files, public access remains restricted and is subject to federal privacy rules.

What If a Medal Is Missing From the Veteran's DD214?

A missing medal on the DD214 creates a different problem from simply replacing a physical medal that was lost.

If the Veteran was officially awarded a decoration but the DD214 is incomplete or incorrect, the issue may require a military-record correction.

A replacement-medal request does not automatically rewrite the DD214.

You may need to obtain supporting personnel records or award orders and then use the appropriate service correction process.

Read How to Correct a DD214: DD215 Explained for the current correction procedure.

What If You Believe the Veteran Earned an Award That Was Never Approved?

That is also different from requesting a replacement medal.

A replacement request concerns an award already authorized in the Veteran's military record.

Asking the military to newly approve an award, reconsider an award, or upgrade a previously authorized decoration involves a separate awards review or military-record correction process.

Do not describe an unapproved award as a "replacement" merely because you believe the Veteran should have received it.

The service first needs a legal basis to recognize the award in the official military record.

Can You Replace a Medal Purchased Privately?

Commercial medal vendors sell many military decorations, ribbons, mounting systems, and display sets.

Purchasing a medal commercially is different from having the military verify that the Veteran was officially entitled to that award.

For historical displays or subsequent replacement sets, commercial purchase may be appropriate.

But if proof of entitlement matters, first obtain or review the Veteran's official military personnel records.

What If the Veteran's Military Records Were Destroyed?

Some older Army and Air Force personnel files were damaged or destroyed in the 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center.

A destroyed OMPF can make award verification more difficult, but it does not automatically mean all evidence of the Veteran's service or awards has disappeared.

NPRC may use alternate military records and reconstructed service information when primary records are unavailable.

Other records, including orders, unit records, pay records, award documents, or separation papers, may also help establish military service information.

Read How to Get a DD214 if Military Records Were Lost if the underlying personnel file may have been affected.

How Long Does It Take to Get Replacement Military Medals?

There is no universal turnaround time.

A replacement medal request can involve multiple steps:

Locating the personnel record
Verifying authorized awards
Routing the request to the appropriate military service
Processing the replacement
Manufacturing or obtaining the physical medals
Mailing the completed replacement set

Older records, incomplete identifying information, archival files, or personnel records affected by the 1973 NPRC fire can require additional research.

If your request also involves locating a missing DD214, read How Long Does It Take to Get a DD214? .

Do You Need a DD214 to Request Replacement Medals?

A DD214 can be extremely useful, but it is not necessarily the only evidence available.

The Veteran's broader personnel file may contain award orders, citations, service information, and other records used to determine entitlement.

If the Veteran's DD214 is missing, the appropriate records custodian may still be able to locate the Veteran's military personnel file.

For broader records, read How to Request Military Service Records .

Replacement Military Medals Checklist

Before submitting the request, gather as much of the following as possible:

✓ Veteran's complete name used during service
✓ Military branch
✓ Dates of service
✓ Rank, if known
✓ Service number, if known
✓ Social Security number, when applicable
✓ DD214 or other separation paperwork, if available
✓ Award orders or citations, if available
✓ Names of the medals being requested, if known
✓ Veteran's signed authorization if someone is helping a living Veteran
✓ Proof of death and relationship when required for next-of-kin requests
✓ Current mailing and contact information

Most importantly, use the current routing instructions for the Veteran's service branch.

How to Get Replacement Military Medals: The Short Version

The process generally works like this:

1. Identify the Veteran's military branch.

2. Determine whether the request is being made by the Veteran, authorized representative, qualifying next of kin, or another requester.

3. Gather the Veteran's identifying and service information.

4. Provide existing DD214s, award records, or other military documentation when available.

5. Clearly request replacement medals or decorations.

6. Follow the current branch-specific routing instructions provided by NARA or the applicable military service.

7. Allow the records custodian to verify the Veteran's authorized awards before the military service issues replacements.

Remember that replacing a medal is different from correcting a military record or asking the military to approve an award that was never officially authorized.