How to replace lost or stolen military medals — free for veterans and next of kin through the National Personnel Records Center
The military services replace medals, ribbons and awards that were lost, stolen or never issued, at no cost to the veteran. Requests for Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Space Force records go to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis — online or by mail — and the branch ships the medals. Coast Guard requests go directly to the Coast Guard Personnel Service Center. Next of kin of a deceased veteran can request them too, and the general public can buy copies of older records but not request medals.
What you'll need
- The veteran's full name, service number or Social Security number, branch, and dates of service
- A copy of the DD-214 or other discharge document, if you have one (it speeds the request)
- Standard Form 180 (Request Pertaining to Military Records) if you mail the request, or the National Archives' online request tool
- For next of kin: proof of death (for example a death certificate or obituary) and your relationship
Step-by-step
Step 1: Confirm who can request
Veterans may request their own medals at no cost. Next of kin of a deceased veteran may also request at no cost when the veteran separated less than 62 years ago. The Army defines next of kin as the surviving spouse, eldest child, father or mother, eldest sibling or eldest grandchild; the other services use the un-remarried widow or widower, son, daughter, father, mother, brother or sister. For records 62 or more years old, anyone can order copies of the file from the National Archives, and the public can buy medals commercially, but the services do not issue them.
Step 2: Send the request to the right place
Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Space Force: request online through the National Archives' veterans records tool ("Request medals online" at archives.gov/veterans/replace-medals), or mail Standard Form 180 to the National Personnel Records Center, 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, MO 63138. NPRC verifies your entitlement from the record and forwards the request to the branch, which mails the medals. Coast Guard: send the request directly to the Coast Guard Personnel Service Center, 4200 Wilson Blvd, Suite 900 (PSC-PSD-MA), Stop 7200, Arlington, VA 20598-7200.
Reference: https://www.gsa.gov/reference/forms/request-pertaining-to-military-records
Step 3: Include what the records center needs
Give the veteran's full name, service number or SSN, branch, and dates of service, and say that you are requesting replacement medals and awards. Attach a copy of the discharge document if you have one; it lets staff verify entitlement faster. Mail copies, not originals.
Step 4: Missing awards and corrections
If you believe you earned an award that never appeared on your record, the request is a records correction, not a replacement: ask your branch's awards office or a county veterans service officer about applying through the branch's Board for Correction of Military Records. A CVSO can help assemble the evidence for free.
Step 5: If the record was in the 1973 fire
A 1973 fire at the records center destroyed an estimated 16–18 million personnel files: about 80% of Army files for personnel discharged November 1, 1912 to January 1, 1960, and about 75% of Air Force files for personnel discharged September 25, 1947 to January 1, 1964 with surnames after Hubbard, James E. NPRC can often reconstruct service from other sources (pay records, unit records, state records); include any documents you hold.
Reference: https://www.archives.gov/personnel-records-center/fire-1973
Critical tips
- There is no fee for a veteran's own medals, or for next of kin when the veteran separated less than 62 years ago.
- Processing time varies by branch; the National Archives does not publish a fixed timeline, so allow several months and follow up with the branch if asked.
- Keep your DD-214 with your important papers — most medal requests are verified from it.
- A county veterans service officer can file the request with you: warriorsfund.org/find-cvso.
- In crisis: dial 988 then press 1, or text 838255.