How to replace lost military medals + awards
Step-by-step guide for veterans (or family members of deceased veterans) to replace lost, stolen, or destroyed military medals + awards. Free for veterans + immediate family. 4 steps using SF-180 (records request) and direct service-branch replacement programs. Useful for veterans wanting to display awards, family members preserving veteran history, or replacing items lost in fires/floods/moves.
What you'll need
- SF-180 (Request Pertaining to Military Records) — for records-only
- DD-214 (showing awards earned)
- Photo ID
- For deceased veterans: death certificate + proof of next-of-kin relationship
Step-by-step
Step 1: Confirm what medals + awards you earned
Your DD-214 lists awards. If your DD-214 is incomplete or you suspect missing entries, request a complete service record via SF-180 (mail to NPRC). Common awards include campaign medals (e.g., Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal), service medals (e.g., National Defense Service Medal), unit awards (e.g., Presidential Unit Citation), achievement medals (e.g., Army Achievement Medal), valor awards (e.g., Bronze Star, Silver Star, Medal of Honor — separate replacement processes).
Step 2: Identify which service branch to contact
Each service branch handles its own medal replacement. Army: National Personnel Records Center (NPRC), 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis MO 63138 — replaces medals via SF-180. Navy: Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS), 5720 Integrity Drive, Millington TN 38055. Marines: HQ USMC (MMSB-30), 2008 Elliot Road, Quantico VA 22134. Air Force / Space Force: HQ AFPC, 550 C Street West, Suite 12, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph TX 78150. Coast Guard: USCG PSC, MAS-1, 4200 Wilson Blvd Ste 1100, Arlington VA 20598.
Step 3: Mail the request with required documentation
For VETERAN: SF-180 + copy of DD-214 + photo ID. For DECEASED VETERAN (next-of-kin): SF-180 + death certificate + proof of NOK relationship (marriage cert for spouse, birth cert for child, etc.). Specify "REPLACEMENT MEDALS + AWARDS" in Section II. Free for veterans + immediate family. Service branches may charge a nominal fee for general public requests (researchers, historians).
Step 4: Wait for delivery (3-6 months typical)
Medal replacement is slower than DD-214 records replacement — 3-6 months typical (vs 30-60 days for records). Service branches manufacture medals on-demand. Free shipping. If your request is denied or the branch claims the award is not on your record, contact the branch awards office directly to dispute. CVSOs can help with disputed awards if your DD-214 is unclear.
Critical tips
- For Medal of Honor or Distinguished Service Cross / Navy Cross / Air Force Cross / Coast Guard Cross: replacement is via the awarding branch + DoD Medals Program. Different process. Contact the awarding branch directly.
- Burial flag is FREE for any veteran (separate from medal replacement). Available at any National Cemetery, VA regional office, or U.S. Post Office. See /api/v1/howto/get-burial-benefits.json.
- For lost DD-214 specifically (not medals): use eVetRecs at vetrecs.archives.gov first — typically faster than SF-180. See /api/v1/howto/get-dd214.json.
- For UNIT awards (Presidential Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, etc.): may not be on DD-214 if award was issued post-separation. Contact your unit's veterans association or the U.S. Army Center of Military History.
- Display cases / shadow boxes are NOT provided by VA — purchase separately. Many veteran-owned businesses make custom shadow boxes; some accept Wounded Warriors Emergency Aid bridge-funding for veterans in need.