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Getting Military Medals
You Believe You Earned

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on Getting Military Records
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Requesting Change to Military Disharge Status or other Military Status

Obtaining Records | Presidential Memorial Certificates
Military Medals Discussion Forum

You can quickly determine which medals you earned simply by examining your military discharge form (DD-214, WD 53-55, NAVPERS, etc). Listed on the form are all the medals your final military unit deemed, at the time of your discharge, you were authorized to possess.

You can purchase replacements of medals you are authorized from any military medal retailer. (Use your favorite search engine to locate a retailer, or contact a local veterans organization to recommend a retailer.)

If you do not have a copy of your discharge form, or you feel your discharge form does not accurately list all the medals you received, you need to request a copy/review of your military records to determine if orders were cut, and placed in your military personnel file, awarding you other medals.

If you feel you deserve a medal or award you were never authorized you may apply as a first-time recipient for that award to your military department's Awards Branch using form DD-149. You will also be required to submit military record documentation, eyewitness statements and other evidence confirming your eligibility for the medal or award you are applying for.

TO APPLY FOR A FIRST TIME AWARD YOU THINK YOU DESERVE YOU NEED TO

  • 1. obtain a copy of Form DD-149

  • 2. complete the form with the fullest amount of info you know about your military service

  • 3. send the completed DD-149 to the appropriate address on the back of the form

    HOW TO OBTAIN FORM DD-149
    Click Here to Download the .PDF copy

    Or,
    Pick-Up DD-149 at any VA facility

    Service
    Branch    		 Where to write in case of
    a problem, appeal, or first-time award authorization
    Army Commander
    PERSCOM
    Attn: TAPC-PDO-PA
    Army Awards Branch
    200 Stovall Street
    Alexandria, VA 22332-0471
    Air Force
    (including
    Army Air
    Corps &
    Army Air
    Forces)    		 Headquarters
    Air Force Personnel Ctr
    AFPC/DPPPR
    550 C Street West, Suite 12
    Randolph AFB, TX 78150-4714
    Navy Chief of Naval Operations
    (OPNAV 09B33)
    Awards & Special Projects
    Washington, DC 20350-2000
    Marine
    Corps    		 Commandant
    Headquarters
    United States Marine Corps
    Awards Branch (MHM)
    Washington, DC 20380-0001
    Coast
    Guard    		 Commandant
    U.S. Coast Guard
    Medals and Awards Branch
    (PMP-4)
    Washington, DC 20593-0001

    Replacement Medals and Display Recognitions