Veterans may apply for medals, awards years after service
By DONALD L. COHICK
Veterans are awarded medals for a variety of reasons: Bravery, meritorious service, campaigns and faithful service. These medals are given to the veterans, who wear them proudly.
But, many times veterans are discharged and do not receive their medals or do not receive the ones to which they were entitled. Many veterans have lost their medals from floods, fire or just moving. Some are misplaced, and the family cannot locate them.
Did you know that our government will replace medals, awards and decorations given by the United States of America? It is very simple for a veteran to obtain a replacement set of award emblems. All that is needed is a copy of the separation document (DD214).
The National Personnel Records Center will verify the awards to which a veteran is entitled, and then send the information to the appropriate military department, which then will issue the awards. If the veteran is deceased, a legal next-of-kin will need a death certificate in addition to the veteran’s separation documents.
Many veterans do not even know they qualify for medals. A good example is the Korean Defense Service Medal. This medal was authorized in 2003 by the Defense Authorization Act of 2003. This medal is awarded to any veteran who served at least 30 consecutive days in Korea beginning on July 28, 1954, to a date to be determined. There are some exceptions to requirements. You have to request the awarding of this medal before you can have it issued.
The World War II Victory Medal was not issued to anyone who got out of the service before the war was over, but sending a request for replacement is all that needs to be done for this medal. Many World War II veterans were awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge or the Combat Medical Badge.
Did you know that Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides, in pertinent part, that the Bronze Star Medal is awarded for heroism and for meritorious achievement or service in military operations against an armed enemy?
The Bronze Star Medal is authorized for each individual who was cited in orders or awarded a certificate for exemplary conduct in ground combat between Dec. 7, 1941, and Sept. 2, 1945.
An award of the Combat Infantryman Badge or the Combat Medical Badge is considered to be a citation in orders. Therefore, the Bronze Star Medal is to be awarded to individuals who were authorized either badge — Combat Infantryman or Combat Medical — for service during World War II.
To be awarded the Bronze Star, first apply for a correction of record to have the award posted on a DD215 showing authorization. Then, send it into NPRC to have it issued. Assistance in obtaining separation documents, correction of records and replacement of awards may be obtained at the local county Veteran Affairs Office.
Great post..Thank you!
I know my step dad got 3 purple hearts and each of them were to be given to myself and my 2 sisters yet due to moving and misplacement one was lost so he is getting a replacement..his Army jacket and all the other ones are still intact and will be incased for safe keeping..
"The Bronze Star Medal is authorized for each individual who was cited in orders or awarded a certificate for exemplary conduct in ground combat between Dec. 7, 1941, and Sept. 2, 1945.
An award of the Combat Infantryman Badge or the Combat Medical Badge is considered to be a citation in orders. Therefore, the Bronze Star Medal is to be awarded to individuals who were authorized either badge — Combat Infantryman or Combat Medical — for service during World War II."
Does that mean veterans of the Battle of Bataan that received the Bronze Star Medal for ground combat are entitled to the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB)?
Veterans met circumstances listed in War Department Circular 269,dated 27 October 1943 entitling the CIB. Many have been awarded the CIB, but today's Army refuses to recognize members that fought along side of recipients.
Robert
