Military awards represent honor, sacrifice, and dedicated service. Whether you are a veteran, a family member, or researching a loved one’s military history, there may come a time when you need to verify military awards or replace medals that have been lost, stolen, damaged, or never issued.
Fortunately, the U.S. military provides official ways to confirm military decorations and request replacement medals. Understanding the process can save time and help ensure that military records accurately reflect a veteran’s service.
This guide explains how to verify military awards, where to find official records, and how to replace military medals through the proper government channels.
Why Verify Military Awards?
There are several reasons someone may need to verify military awards.
Common situations include:
- Replacing lost or stolen medals
- Creating a military shadow box
- Confirming awards for family history or genealogy
- Correcting military records
- Applying for veterans’ benefits
- Researching a deceased veteran’s service
- Authenticating military memorabilia
Official military records are the best source for determining which awards a veteran earned.
Where Are Military Awards Recorded?
Military awards are documented in a service member’s official military personnel file. These records include decorations, medals, ribbons, badges, unit awards, and campaign participation.
One of the most important documents is the DD Form 214, commonly called the DD214. This document summarizes a service member’s military career and typically lists authorized awards at the time of separation from active duty.
However, awards approved after separation or administrative corrections may not always appear on an older DD214. In those situations, additional military records may be needed.
How to Verify Military Awards
The easiest way to verify military awards is by reviewing official military records.
Helpful sources include:
- DD Form 214
- Official Military Personnel File (OMPF)
- Military service records
- Award orders
- Unit records
- Branch-specific personnel offices
Veterans can request copies of their records through the appropriate government agencies if they no longer have them.
Family members of deceased veterans may also be eligible to request records under certain circumstances.
How to Request Military Service Records
If military records are missing, veterans or their next of kin can request copies from the National Personnel Records Center or the appropriate military service.
The request generally requires information such as:
- Full legal name
- Branch of service
- Service number or Social Security number (if available)
- Dates of service
- Date of birth
- Purpose of the request
Providing as much information as possible helps locate records more quickly.
Processing times vary depending on record availability and request volume.
Replacing Lost or Damaged Military Awards
Veterans sometimes discover that medals have been lost during a move, damaged over time, or misplaced after decades of storage.
The good news is that replacement medals may be available through the veteran’s military branch.
Eligible veterans may request official replacement medals if the decorations were previously authorized.
First-time replacement requests are often provided at no cost, although policies vary depending on the branch of service and individual circumstances.
Replacement requests generally include:
- Proof of military service
- Identification
- Military records confirming eligibility
- Completed request forms
If original government-issued medals are unavailable, authorized replacement medals can also be purchased from reputable military suppliers.
Can Family Members Request Replacement Medals?
Yes, in many cases.
The next of kin of a deceased veteran may request replacement medals if they meet the eligibility requirements established by the veteran’s branch of service.
Generally, eligible family members include:
- Surviving spouse
- Parent
- Child
- Sibling
- Other authorized next of kin
Supporting documentation such as a death certificate and proof of relationship may be required.
What If an Award Is Missing?
Occasionally, veterans discover that an award they earned does not appear in their military records.
This may happen because:
- Administrative errors occurred.
- Award paperwork was delayed.
- Records were incomplete.
- Decorations were approved after separation.
- Personnel records were lost or damaged.
If documentation exists proving eligibility, veterans may request a correction to their military records through the appropriate military review board.
Can Military Records Be Corrected?
Yes.
Each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces has procedures for correcting official military records.
Veterans who believe an award was omitted may submit supporting evidence such as:
- Award orders
- Witness statements
- Unit records
- Performance reports
- Operational documents
Military review boards evaluate the evidence before approving corrections.
Protecting Military Awards
After replacing or verifying military medals, proper storage helps preserve them for future generations.
Consider:
- Displaying medals in a shadow box
- Keeping paperwork with the medals
- Storing decorations in a cool, dry location
- Avoiding direct sunlight and excessive humidity
- Photographing medals for insurance and documentation
Keeping copies of military records with the medals also makes future identification much easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I replace military medals for free?
Many veterans may receive one official replacement set from their branch of service at no cost if eligibility requirements are met.
Can family members request replacement medals?
Yes. Eligible next of kin may request replacement medals for deceased veterans according to military branch policies.
How long does it take to replace military awards?
Processing times vary depending on the military branch, record availability, and the number of requests being handled.
Can I verify someone’s military awards?
Veterans can verify their own awards through official military records. Certain records of deceased veterans may also be available to eligible family members or through public archival resources.
What if my DD214 doesn’t list all my medals?
Additional military records, award orders, or approved corrections may be needed to document awards that were omitted or approved after separation.
Explore More Military Awards
If you’d like to learn more about military medals, decorations, ribbons, badges, unit awards, and award eligibility, visit our Military Awards and Decorations: The Complete Guide, which serves as the central resource for all military awards topics.
Final Thoughts
Military awards are more than decorations—they are lasting symbols of service, sacrifice, and achievement. Whether you are verifying a veteran’s record, replacing lost medals, or preserving a family legacy, using official military records is the best way to ensure accuracy.
By understanding how to verify military awards, request service records, and obtain replacement medals, veterans and their families can preserve these important pieces of military history for future generations.