Many pawn shops, military surplus stores and vendors sell military medals, ribbons, and awards, but there is also a way to obtain replacements (sometimes for free) from the Government.
Requests for the issuance or replacement of military service medals, decorations, and awards should be directed to the specific branch of the military in which the veteran served. However, for Air Force (including Army Air Corps) and Army personnel, the National Personnel Records Center will verify the awards to which a veteran is entitled and forward the request with the verification to the appropriate service department for issuance of the medals.
Generally, there is no charge for medal or award replacements, if requested by the Veteran. Only one replacement is allowed per medal or decoration.
There may be a small fee charged for replacements requested by family members of deceased servicemembers. The length of time to receive a response or your medals and awards varies depending upon the branch of service sending the medals, but the process can take several months (up to one year) due to manning and funding shortfalls at the National Military Personnel Records Center.
The Standard Form (SF) 180, Request Pertaining to Military Records, is recommended for requesting medals and awards. Provide as much information as possible, make sure you specifically request medal/decoration replacement in the remarks, and send the form to the appropriate address below:
Army
National Personnel Records Center
Medals Section (NRPMA-M)
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100
Air Force (including Army Air Corps& Army Air Forces)
National Personnel Records Center
Air Force Reference Branch (NRPMF)
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100
Navy/Marine Corps/Coast Guard
Bureau of Naval Personnel Liaison Office
Room 5409
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100
Where the Medals are Mailed From:
Army
U.S. Army Soldier& Biological Chemical Command, IMMC
Soldier Systems Directorate
700 Robbins Avenue
P.O. Box 57997
Philadelphia, PA 19111-7997
Air Force
Headquarters, Air Force Personnel Ctr
AFPC/DPPPR
550 C Street West, Suite 12
Randolph AFB, TX 78150-4714
Navy/Marine Corps/Coast Guard
Bureau of Naval Personnel Liaison Office
Room 5409
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100
Where to Write for Problems/Appeals:
Army
Commander PERSCOM
Attn: TAPC-PDO-PA
200 Stovall Street
Alexandria, VA 22332-0471
Air Force
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 of the Marine Corps
Military Awards Branch (MMMA)
3280 Russell Road
Quantico VA 22134-5100
Coast Guard
Commandant U.S. Coast Guard
Medals and Awards Branch
(PMP-4)
Washington, DC 20593-0001
