Medals issued to Soldiers?

During the war, only the ribbons were issued for the campaign medals, i.e. the Pacific Campaign, American Campaign, etc. The actual medals themselves were not produced until 1946. At that point, the individual soldier had to request them. I pretty sure this is how it was - please correct me somebody if I am wrong.

I only had my grandfather's ribbons - Good Conduct, European Campaign, and American Campaign. He was discharged in January 1946 and these were the only awards listed on his discharge papers. I submitted the request for his medals, and they provided the three listed as well as the Victory Medal.

 

I wasn't sure if they were going to send the Victory Medal. So I put it in the request. Whats sucks is my grandfather never even got to see his medals 2 of which he most likely didn't even know he earned. The Victory Medal, and the American Campaign Medal.

I'm hoping for a fast turn around. I want to put them in a display case and give them to my grandma.

 

It took about six months. Sent in the paperwork and just waited. Then one day there they are in the mail.

Oh, yeah, I forgot this too. They also sent the "ruptured duck" discharge pin with the medals. I don't remember if it was listed on his discharge paper or not. You can read about it here. Honorable Service Lapel Button - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

6 months would be nice, I herd it could take up to a year. And it says lapel pin issued on his discharge papers but I didn't know what that meant. So thanks for the info. However my grandma didn't have one, It may be on his uniform which my uncle has.

 

They emailed me my request number, But no time frame. They probably wont tell me that until they get the verification signature.

 

Update!

I got a response in the mail today about the medal request we submitted.



So sadly no American Campaign Medal. But I'm happy to see they are sending a new qualification badge. The thing is it says with a Carbine bar, The original has 2 bars Rifle and Bayonet.

Like LRusso216 said they gave me a case number. I checked the status and The approximate ship date is between 03/24/2011 and 04/24/2011.

 

Thanks!

Tho the waiting will be excruciating, I'm just happy to have confirmation that they are sending them. I wasn't sure if the DD214 I sent was gonna be good enough, It's hard to read. I also have a copy of his fire damaged OMPF coming. So that's something to look forward to that should't take as long to get here.

a copy of James W. Cunningham's 30pg scrapbook is also on it's way.