Veterans are eligible to obtain FREE replacement Medals, Ribbons, and Badges.
That’s right, you can get your chest candy you need for a cool shadow box to put on your wall or desk!
Requesting your Military Awards and Decorations
You can make requests online or via snail mail.
NOTES:
If your DD-214 is MISSING things you will NOT receive them! If you left in a hurry and didn't catch these mistakes on the way out then you will need to request a DD-215.
For more information click HERE.
The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) does NOT issue service medals/decorations. That function is given to each military service department. The NPRC simply verifies awards and forwards your requests and verification to appropriate branches of services.
Online
Click HERE
On the page where you enter your Service Details, be sure to select Military Awards/Decorations.
On the page where you enter your Veteran Information, ensure that you write the specific awards/decorations you are wanting in the comments box provided.
Snail Mail
Fill out a Standard Form 180 and mail it to the address indicated on page 3 of the document.
Next of Kin (NoK)
Next of kin may be able to also obtain FREE replacements.
Here are how each branch defines NoK:
| Branch | Definition of NoK |
|---|---|
| Air Force | Un-remarried widow or widower, son, daughter, father, mother, brother or sister. |
| Army | Surviving spouse, eldest child, father or mother, eldest sibling or eldest grandchild. |
| Coast Guard | Un-remarried widow or widower, son, daughter, father, mother, brother or sister. |
| Marine Corps | Un-remarried widow or widower, son, daughter, father, mother, brother or sister. |
| Navy | Un-remarried widow or widower, son, daughter, father, mother, brother or sister. |
| Space Force | Un-remarried widow or widower, son, daughter, father, mother, brother or sister. |
NOTES:
NoK requests are FREE for all branches if the Veteran separated AFTER 1960.
For Veterans who separated before 1960, the Airforce and Coast Guard will NOT process the requests.
Frequently Asked Questions
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It can take around a year before your stuff arrives in the mail.