Military Awards, Medals, and Decorations Information

[Eagle3]

I get a lot of the e-mail from shipmates trying to determine what awards and medals they received or should have received during a tour of duty. Military.com has put together some nice resources to help in these kind of searches.


Awards, Medals, & Decorations (http://www.military.com/Resources/ResourcesContent/0,13964,31460,00.html)

Medals awarded while in active service are issued by the individual military services if requested by veterans or by the next of kin of deceased veterans. 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 veterans, the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) verifies the awards to which a veteran is entitled and forwards requests and verification to appropriate service department for issuance.

When requesting medals, type or clearly print the veteran's full name, include the veteran's branch of service, service number or Social Security Number and provide the veteran's exact or approximate dates of military service. The request must contain the signature of the veteran or the signature of the next of kin if the veteran is deceased. If available, include a copy of the discharge or separation document, WDAGO Form 53-55 or DD Form 214.

Fortunately, the paperwork involved in requesting medal replacement is relatively simple. The process is as follows:

* First, get a copy of Standard Form 180, Request For Military Records.
Front (http://www.military.com/Resources/Forms/Standard_Form_180.pdf)
Back (http://www.military.com/Resources/Forms/Standard_Form_180b.pdf)

* It is not necessary to request a duplicate copy of a veteran's discharge or separation papers solely for the purpose of filing a claim for VA benefits.
* Remember to either type or print on the form.
* Fill in the individual's name, social security number, and date and place of birth in section 1, blocks 1 through 4.
* Provide the dates of service in the applicable spaces in section 1, block 5.
* Indicate whether or not the individual is deceased in section 1, block 6.
* Indicate whether or not the person retired from the military in section 1, block 7.
* In section 2, indicate which medals need to be replaced.
* Record a return address and then sign section 3. Only the service member, guardian, or next of kin may sign this form.
* If possible, include a copy of the discharge or separation document, WDAGO Form 53-55 or DD Form 214.
* Mail the completed form and supplementary documents to one of the addresses below.

Army
National Personnel Records Center
Medals Section (NRPMA-M)
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100
-----------------------------------------
Air Force
National. Personnel Records Center
Air Force Reference
Branch (NRPMF)
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100
------------------------------------------
Navy
Bureau of Naval Personnel
Liaison Office
Room 5409
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100
------------------------------------------
Marine Corps
Bureau of Naval Personnel
Liaison Office
Room 5409
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100
--------------------------------------------
Coast Guard
Bureau of Naval Personnel
Liaison Office
Room 5409
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100

Generally, there is no charge for medal or award replacements. The length of time to receive a response or your medals and awards varies depending upon the branch of service sending the medals.

The veteran's full name should be printed or typed, so that it can be read clearly. The request must contain the signature of the veteran or the signature of the next of kin if the veteran is deceased. Include the veteran's branch of service, service number or Social Security number and dates of service, or at least the approximate years. If available, include a copy of the discharge or separation document, WDAGO Form 53-55 or DD Form 214. If possible, send the request on Standard Form 180, "Request Pertaining To Military Records." These forms are generally available from VA offices or veterans organizations.

[Eagle3]

Army News Service reports that servicemembers, veterans and federal employees who served between Sept. 2, 1945 and Dec. 26, 1991 are still eligible for a Cold War Recognition Certificate. In 1998, the secretary of Defense approved awarding the certificate to personnel who served during the Cold War. Thus far, about one million people have responded out of the 22 million entitled to receive the certificate, officials said. An application for the Cold War Recognition Certificate can be found on the Internet at this Cold War site. (https://coldwar.army.mil) The Website informs applicants about the correct procedures and the required documentation to receive a certificate. Applications will only be accepted by fax or mail, officials said. More information on the certificate can be found on PERSCOM's Cold War Web site or by calling customer service at (703) 325-5864. For more on medals, awards, and decorations, see this overview. (http://www.military.com/Resources/ResourcesContent/0,13964,31460,00.html)

[Chaff Dog]

I received the cold war certificate. it is pretty cool.
I also had to replace all my medals when they were lost during a move. probably sold on eBay!!
One question, though;
Has anyone checked to see if Midway is/was eligible for that new Korean Service Mdal (or some similar name). I remember that to qualify, one had to serve in country, or the air above or waters surrounding. I remember at least three team spirits, plus cruises in the SOJ off the Korean cost, and liberty calls (which, by definition counts as in country and waters surrounding!).
Any way, I was just curious.
Anyone have any info?? :shrug:

CHAFF DOG

[Eagle3]

I'd be interested in the Korean Service medal. I was in at least one Team Spirit and did a two week bomb det to Kwang Ju. Sounds like that would count.

[Chaff Dog]

I think a lot of Midway and Air Wing folks would qualify.
My fear is that documenting all those piecemeal trips to Korea and waters surrounding Korea would be difficult to document. I know you can add several trips together to acquire the total days 'in-country' required. It is the 'how' part that has me stymied!!

CHAFF DOG

[Chaff Dog]

1. I do not believe the time lag matters. I remember reading the qualifications for the medal, and it simply said to qualify, one had to have accumulated the required amount of time in Korea, or in the air above or seas surrounding korea.

2. I am pretty sure we went into the drydock in late 1985, and then participated in Team Spirit after leaving the drydock. I remember it being quite warm for Team Spirit, which would mean the summer of 1986. Yes, I also have my letter opener and key chains!! I forgot about those things until reading your post!!

CHAFF DOG

[Chaff Dog]

Korea Defense Service Medal


Establishing Authority

The Korea Defense Service Medal was established by Section 543 of the 2003 National Defense Authorization Act (PL 107-314) signed into law by President George W. Bush on December 2, 2002.

Effective Dates

The Korea Defense Service Medal is awarded for qualifying service on or after July 28, 1954.

Criteria

This medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who have been assigned, attached, or mobilized to units operating in the area of eligibility for thirty consecutive or for sixty non-consecutive days, or who meet the following criteria:

-- Be engaged in combat during an armed engagement, regardless of the time in the area of elibility;

-- Is wounded or injured in the line of duty and requires medical evacuation from the area of eligibility;

-- While participating as a regularly assigned aircrew member flying sorties into, out of, or within the area of eligibility in direct support of military operations. Each day that one or more sorties are flown in accordance with these criteria shall count as one day toward the 30 or 60 day requirement;

-- Personnel who serve in operations and exercises conducted in the area of eligibility are considered for the award as long as the basic time criteria are met. Due to the extensive time period for KDSM eligibility, the non-consecutive service period for eligibility remains cumulative throughout the entire period.

The Area of eligibility encompasses all land area of the Republic of Korea, and the continuous water out to 12 nautical miles, and all air spaces above the land and water areas.

Order of Precedence

The Korean Defense Service Medal is worn after the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and before the Armed Forces Service Medal.

Devices

No devices are authorized for this medal: only one award of the KDSM is authorized for any individual.

Designer

The Korea Defense Service Medal was designed by John Sproston of the Army's Institute of Heraldry.

Description and Symbolism

Obverse

In the center of a bronze disc, a "circle dragon" surrounded by the words KOREA DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL. At the bottom of the medal, and following its lower contour, are a spray of laurel on the left and a spray of bamboo on the right, joined at the center.

The four-clawed dragon is a traditional symbol of Korea and represents intelligence and strength of purpose. The laurel denotes honorable endeavor and victory, and the bamboo alludes to Asia.

Reverse

In the center of the medal a representation of the land mass of Korea is surmounted by two swords, points up, saltirewise (crossed). The central theme is surrounded by a circlet with five inward points. The swords signify defense of freedom in Korea and the readiness to engage in combat towards that end. The circlet enclosing the central theme recalls the forms of five-petal symbols common in Korean armory.

Ribbon

The ribbon is a field of dark green bisected in the center by a stripe of dark blue. There are white and gold pinstripes to either side of the dark blue, but separated from it by dark green. The white and gold pinstripes are themselves separated by dark green. The dark green represents the land of Korea; the blue indicates overseas service and commitment to achieving peace. The gold denotes excellence, while the white stands for idealism and integrity.

[d41]

Unless you have a shadow box, what are you going to do with another medal? There is a medal # at bupers if you really want to know.