Ordering Replacement Medals Question

So I plan on ordering a set of replacement medals of my grandpa I have some originals but just the bronze star and i think one or two other of his medals.

I plan to mail the SF 180 along with his 214 since they dont have it on record and it lists what medals he was awarded, but do i have to also request the world war 2 victory medal i know it was eligible i guess for anyone between the times of the war, but if its not on his 214 would i still receive it ?

 

I can't really say, but I can tell you that my grandfather died in the Battle of the Bulge, and still received his victory medal. I'm not sure if that's what you're asking, though.

 

yea i wasnt sure if they would still send it to me, or if they would make me send a amended change form for the dd214. Thanks for answering.

 

Depending on when your Grandfather was discharged the WW2 Victory Medal may not have even been on the drawing boards.

I would assume that the NARA would recognize that he is elidgible for the Medal; however, it wouldn't hurt to cover your bases and request one anyway.

 

When you send in the form 180 and request replacement medals, the NARA will review his records and send all the medals that he is entitled to--including the WWII Victory Medal. (eldgible to any service person with at least one day service during WWII, serving anywhere). Most WWII vets get the Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign, European-Africa-Middle East (EAME) Campaign, or Asiatic Pacific Campaign (sometimes both), and the Victory Medal. If he stayed after the war on occupation duty he will also receive an Occupation Medal. Of course, they will also send the decorations, like Bronze Star, Purple Heart etc. On the Form 180 ask to have the decorations (including Good Conduct) engraved with is name--this is also free.
They may send his marksman medals but usually not. They will not send any foreign awards, like Croix de Guerre, Phillippean Liberation Medal etc., But do ask if he has been awarded any foreign medals, they will have them listed in the records. You can buy them from a retail house, like Medals of America--this really adds to a display.
You can also buy a copy of his Division patch from them, or on bay.
I enjoy helping vets get replacement medals in exchange for their stories and the wonderful experience of having an actual connection with a particular Division when doing research--the smiles it brings is my award. Many vets were only given the ribbons because brass was in short supply, and have never seen the actual medals
that they have earned. Any problems, give me a yell.

 

Thanks a lot everyone for all of your help

 

We have a local VA office and my wife and I went there and they took care of all of the paper work for my grandfather and my wifes grandfather. It took about a year or so but everything they were entitled to, showed up in the mail on day.

I sent in a form as well for my great grandfather (may have been the 180, I am not sure. It has been several years ago.) and simply requested his medals be re-issued. They issued his WW1 victory medal and lapel pin. They said his good conduct medal had been re-issued in 1936.

Good luck! It is worth the wait.

Now, if anyone knows how to get a relatives medals who has no next of kin, let me know.......

 

If your relative has no other next of kin--you are it.. If there are other living relatives you can have them sign the 180. I have never been asked to prove "next of Kin" however, they have telephoned the veteran that I was helping once and asked if they sent in a request. You are right about the wait when ordering replacement medals, especially if the records were burned in the fire at NARA. They use other records to establish what the service person is entitled and it takes more time.
Having the service number is very important because that's how they locate the records. A copy of the DD214 or equivelent is excellent.
Good luck

 

Having tried to get my grandpa's records, since his originals were lost in the fire, I know it's a hard path. But stick with it. I got info on gramps from everyone in the family and was able to fill everything out I needed. As for a relative with no next of kin....ummm.....if you are related....you ARE the next of kin. That's pretty much it.

 

After I wrote, "no next of kin" realized how stupid that sounded. What I meant was, he was my uncle, served in the 517th PIR. No children, never married, all brothers and sisters are dead. I know on the one form, they specify a direct relative. Guess I would be it. I will give it a shot and see what happens. Thanks

 

thankfully i sent them copies of his 214, since it was lost in the fire, so hopefully it speeds up the real long process, and by speed up i know it will still be months but hopefully not as long as if it wasnt sent along. though im sure they would try to validate that it is actually his 214 and not doctored in any such ways

 

I thought I read somewhere that next of kin in these cases are considered spouses, children, parents, and siblings. Can you really get replacement medals for, say, an uncle? How common was it for medals to get issued to a KIA's next of kin during and after WW2?

 

If there is no next of kin to your uncle i believe then you would be it, but i could be wrong.

I received today an email from the NARA saying they were sending me out a letter with information on the medal request i sent in, so glad it got to them quickly. They said they were going to keep on record my grandpas discharge papers for future inquiry by relatives/foia requests, which im happy about because this paper I have the only physical copy and my brother has a digital copy thats it.

I know it will still take a long time just glad they got the request and it seems like smooth sailing just have to wait now. Ill let you all know an update when i get the letter in the mail from them.

I dont want to pay the 20 dollars but i plan to also order his final pay form, which is the only document they have on record from him.

 

I figure id give an update, wont be another one til december or january but i am receiving in the mail:

Bronze star medal
Good Conduct medal
American Campaign medal
European african middle eastern campaign medal with 3 bronze service stars
world war ii victory medal
honorable service lapel button wwii

 

Where do you order the replacement medals? All I have are my grandfathers ribbons.

 

Awards and Decorations

That has all the information you will need.

I actually just 3 days ago received my grandfathers medals, i will post pictures in the next few days.

 

Thanks! Can't wait to see your pictures!

 

thanks guys!