When someone signs up to the army, they are promising to serve with the utmost dedication and service. They have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend their fellow countrymen in the United States of America.
As a service member who has served in the military, there are many ways in which your efforts can be recognized and rewarded, including a series of medals from the United States Department of the Army.
Military medals are an important part of a person’s legacy and often is regarded as one of the most cherished family heirlooms—passed down through generations.
But chances are, some military medals might get lost. Whether that be in a movie or just getting tucked away in a storage box, there may come a time where it is needed to seek replacement military medals
How does one even go about doing this? There are several options which we will walk you through.
- If you are a veteran
Those that are veterans of the United States military are able to go straight to their specific military department. They will need to fill out a signed authorization form requesting a replacement medal, but it normally comes at no cost to that individual.
- If you are next-of-kin
This is where getting a replacement military medal can get a bit trickier but is still very much possible! The military recognizes how valuable these medals are to a service member’s family and want to help in whatever way they can. It depends on what service branch the person was a part of and the cost for replacement might vary.
- If you are part of the general public
This is were semantics come in to play a bit more. If the service member was in the military before 1959, a veteran official military file must be purchased first before determining what awards were given before replacement requests can be assessed. However, if the service member was part of the military after 1959, anyone in the public can access information around what service members were awarded what medals for free, as part of the Freedom of Information Act.
- Special exemptions:
If the medal that is wanting to be replaced is the Purple Heart, then the request can only be made by the veteran themselves or the next-of-kin. In the military, this is defined as the un-remarried widow, son, daughter, mother, brother or sister. If a person does not meet these criteria, no request for a replacement can be made. In this case, not even the Freedom of Information Act can come in to play.
- Military stores
If none of the options above work for you, there is also always the option to purchase replacement military medals from military stores—many of which are online. There are a range of stores that are certified to sell authentic replacement medals in the highest of quality. It is a great alternative that eliminates the need for bureaucratic paperwork and lengthy replacement processes. Instead, with just one click on a button, the replacement medal will be custom made and sent safely to your home.
Replacement military medals are often a necessity. The process should be simple as the main objective in wanting a replacement in the first place is as a way to commemorate and honor the exemplary service a military member has showcased during their career. The comforting news is that whether the replacement medal is given through the military branch directly or through an online store, there are multiple avenues to get the replacement medal.
So hang your military medal with pride and know that you have served your country well.
