Award Decoration Request

1. The Standard Form (SF) 180, Request Pertaining to Military Records, is recommended for requesting medals and awards. Provide as much information as possible, make sure you specifically request medal/decoration replacement in the remarks and send the form to the appropriate address below.
2. Decorations, medals, badges, citations and campaign ribbons; If your DD-214 has been lost or destroyed, you can obtain a new copy through the Veterans Affairs website. You’ll need to create an account and confirm your identity before you can request your DD-214.
3. Medals of Honor specializes in military awards and decorations, from military award medals to ribbons, military apparel, gifts and more - featured at Catalogs.com.
4. How to Request Your Medals If you are an Army Veteran or the next-of kin (un-remarried widow, eldest child, parent,eldest sibling, eldest grandchild) of an Army veteran, you may request a set of.

• Award Decoration Requested
• Award Decoration Requests

Auxiliary sources of information pertaining to decorations and awards. Listed below are auxiliary sources of information to verify and document eligibility for decorations and awards. Request for an organization record search. If a search of organization records, i.e. Clinical records, morning reports, rosters, etc. Is required to help.

SUBJECT: Requestsfor Army replacement medals and certificates

1. Purpose. This memorandumprovides information and instructions on processing requests for issuanceof Army replacement medals, and replacement of certain certificates.

2. Background. On November 4, 1998, the function of processing Army replacement medalsand certain certificates was transferred to the National Personnel RecordsCenter (NPRC). The memorandum of agreement (MOA) establishes guidelinesand responsibility in regard to processing requests from veterans for thereplacement of Army medals and certain certificates. The MOA alsostipulates that NPRC will not make Army award determinations. Theywill be forwarded to the Department of Army, Total Army Personnel Command(PERSCOM), Alexandria, Virginia.

3. Applicability. The provisions of this memorandum are applicable to personnel in Army Reference Branch, Special Inquiries Section of Air Force Reference Branch, OrganizationalRecords Section of the Records Reconstruction Branch, and the Mail andData Input Section.

4. Instructions. Theinstructions concerning requests for Army replacement medals and certaincertificates are contained in the Attachment.

5. Forms.

NA Form 13020, Response to RequestConcerning Entitlement to Awards
NA Form 13081, Change of RecordRequest
NA Form 13105, NPRC Search Requestand Reply
OMPF, Official Military PersonnelFile
ORB, Officer Record Brief
DA Form 2-1, Personnel QualificationRecord, Part II
DA Form 20, Enlisted QualificationRecord
DA Form 24, Service Record
DA Form 66, Officer QualificationRecord
DA Form 201, Military PersonnelRecords Jacket
DA Form 1577, Authorization forIssuance of Awards
DD Form 3, Application for GoldStar Lapel Button
DD Form 149, Application for Correctionof Military or Naval Record Under the Provisions of Title 10, USCode Sec. 1552
DD Form 214 Series, WDAGO Form 53Series, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and priorsimilar Certificates of Discharge
DD Form 215, Correction to DD Form214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty

DAVID L. PETREE
Director

1. General Information. TheArmy Reference Branch and Special Inquiries Section, Air Force ReferenceBranch, have responsibility for processing requests for Army replacementmedals and certain award certificates. In accordance with the Memorandumof Agreement (MOA) dated November 4, 1998, NPRC has been authorized toprepare DA Form 1577, Authorization for Issuance of Awards, for replacementmedals for veterans, retirees, and their next of kin.

2. Types of decorations and awards. The types of medals awarded to Army members fall into the following categories:

a. Militarydecorations. Military decorations are awarded in recognitionof individual heroism, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service. The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration that can be bestowedon a service member. Other decorations awarded are the DistinguishedService Cross, the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the DistinguishedService Medal, the Silver Star, the Defense Superior Service Medal, theLegion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Soldier's Medal, theBronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal,the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, the Joint Service CommendationMedal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal,and the Army Achievement Medal.

b. Unitawards. Unit awards recognize entire organizations for outstandingheroism or achievement performed during periods of war, international tension,national emergencies, or extraordinary situations that involve nationalinterests. They are not intended to recognize individual actions,but to acknowledge the combined efforts of the organization. Thevarious unit awards that have been authorized are the Presidential UnitCitation, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Valorous Unit Award, theMeritorious Unit Commendation, and the Army Superior Unit Award.

c. Foreigndecorations and service awards. Awards from foreign governmentsare given in recognition of active combat service or for outstanding orunusually meritorious performance. The non-U.S. service medals thathave been authorized are the Belgian Fourragere, the French Fourragere,the Netherlands Orange Lanyard, the Philippine Defense Ribbon, the PhilippineLiberation Ribbon, the Philippine Independence Ribbon, the United NationsService Medal (Korea), the United Nations Medal, the NATO Medal, the MultinationalForce Observers Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the KuwaitLiberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), the Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait),the Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation, the Republic of KoreaPresidential Unit Citation, the Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation, theRepublic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, the Republicof Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation, and the Inter-American DefenseBoard Medal.

d. Servicemedals. Service medals, campaign medals, and service ribbonsdenote participation by a service member in a campaign, war, national emergency,expedition, or the fulfillment of specified service requirements in a creditablemanner. The U. S. service medals, campaign medals, and service ribbonsthat have been authorized are the World War I Victory Medal, the AmericanDefense Service Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Army of Occupationof Germany Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific CampaignMedal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the Women'sArmy Corps Service Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Army of OccupationMedal, the Honorable Service Lapel Button, the Medal for Humane Action,the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, theKorean Service Medal, the Antarctica Service Medal, the Armed Forces ExpeditionaryMedal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the MilitaryOutstanding Volunteer Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the NCO ProfessionalDevelopment Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, Prisoner of War Medal,the Southwest Asia Service Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, the ArmyReserve Components Achievement Medal, and the Army Reserve Components OverseasTraining Ribbon.

e. Badges. Combat Infantryman Badge, Combat Medical Badge, Parachutist Badges, ArmyAviator Badges, Aircraft Crewman Badges, Drill Sergeant Badge, RecruiterBadges, Marksmanship Badges, Driver and Mechanic Badges, Expert InfantrymanBadge, and Expert Field Medical Badge.

f. Appurtenances. Appurtenances are devices affixed to service or suspension ribbons or worninstead of medals or ribbons. They are worn to denote additionalawards, participation in a specific event, or other distinguished characteristicsof the award. The following appurtenances are shown on the DA Form1577:

(1) Service Stars. Service stars are worn on campaign and service ribbons to denote an additionalaward. A silver star is worn instead of five bronze service stars. Service stars are authorized for wear on the following campaign and servicemedals and/or ribbons:

(a) World War I VictoryMedal
(b) American Defense ServiceMedal
(c) American Campaign Medal
(d) Asiatic-Pacific CampaignMedal
(e) European-African-MiddleEastern Campaign Medal
(f) Korean Service Medal
(g) Armed Forces ExpeditionaryMedal
(h) Vietnam Service Medal
(i) National DefenseService Medal
(j) Humanitarian ServiceMedal
(k) Prisoner of War Medal
(l) Southwest AsiaService Medal
(m) Military OutstandingVolunteer Service Medal

(2) Oak Leaf Clusters. An Oak Leaf Cluster is issued to denote award of second and succeedingawards of decorations (other than the Air Medal), the Army Reserve ComponentsAchievement Medal, and unit awards. A silver Oak Leaf Cluster isworn instead of five bronze Oak Leaf Clusters.

(3) Arrowhead. An arrowhead denotes participation in a combat parachute jump, helicopterassault landing, combat glider landing, or amphibious assault landing,while assigned or attached as a member of an organized force carrying outan assigned tactical mission. It is worn on the service and suspensionribbons of the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, European-African-MiddleEastern Campaign Medal, Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, andArmed Forces Expeditionary Medal. Only one arrowhead will be wornon any ribbon.

(4) Clasps. Clasps are authorized for wear on the Good Conduct Medal, World War I VictoryMedal, American Defense Service Medal, Army Occupation Medal, and AntarcticaService Medal.

(5) 'V' Device. The 'V' device is worn to denote participation in acts of heroism involvingconflict with an armed enemy. It originally was worn only on theBronze Star Medal. Effective February 29, 1964, the 'V' device wasalso authorized for wear on the Air Medal and Army Commendation Medal forheroic acts or valorous deeds not warranting awards of the DistinguishedFlying Cross or the Bronze Star Medal with 'V' device. EffectiveJune 25, 1963, the 'V' device was authorized additionally for wear on theJoint Service Commendation Medal when the award is for acts of valor (heroism)during participation in combat operations. Only one 'V' device isworn on the service ribbons.

(6) 'M' Device. The Mobilization ('M') device is worn on the Armed Forces Reserve Medal(AFRM) to denote service during a mobilization or contingency designatedby the Secretary of Defense. The 'M' device is authorized to be wornon the AFRM by members of the reserve components who on or after August1, 1990, performed qualifying active duty service in support of the followingdesignated contingency operations:

Persian Gulf War
Operation Restore Hope inSomalia
Operation Uphold Democracyin Haiti
Operation Joint Endeavorin Bosnia
Operation Joint Guard inBosnia

(7) Numerals. Arabic numerals are issued instead of a medal or ribbon for second andsucceeding awards of the Air Medal, Multinational Force and Observers Medal,Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Army Reserve Components Overseas TrainingRibbon. The ribbon denotes the first award and numerals startingwith the numeral 2 denote the number of additional awards. The numeralworn on the NCO Professional Development Ribbon will denote the highestcompleted level of NCO development.

a. Requestfor an organization record search. If a search of organizationrecords, i.e. clinical records, morning reports, rosters, etc. is requiredto help determine eligibility for an award, forward a request to the OrganizationalRecords Section (NRPMR-O). Prepare NA Form 13105, NPRC Search Requestand Reply, in triplicate, including the veteran's name, service number,the award for which eligibility is to be determined, dates to be searched,name of unit, or hospital, etc. Send the original and one copy toNRPMR-O. Attach the third copy to the request and hold with the recorduntil the reply is received. File a copy of the NA Form 13105 inthe record showing the results of the search. Refer to NPRC memos1865.111,1865.113,and 1865.121 forguidance pertaining to organization records searches.

b. GeneralOrders for Vietnam Awards. Requests for missing Vietnam-EraAward General Orders (GO) will be recorded daily, and transmitted weeklyvia FAX to PERSCOM Awards Branch at (703) 325-2581. VIP and congressionalcases may be telephoned in, as required, to PERSCOM at (703) 325-4768.

NOTE: These orders are filed by division or Major Command, and the year; therefore,that information is very important when making a request to PERSCOM fora copy of the GO. Check OMPF/discharge for unit and refer to DA Pam 672-3.

c. CD-ROMlisting of Gulf War Veterans (Desert Storm/Desert Shield). A CD-ROM is available which provides the dates veterans served in SouthwestAsia during Desert Storm and Desert Shield. This information is availableby entering his/her social security number or via name search.

d. AdditionalReference Materials. The following is a listing of referencematerials for WWI, WWII, and Korea to assist in verification of eligibilityfor Army medals:

(2) Silver Star WWII and DistinguishedService Cross Recipients WWI and WWII. Book listing veteransthat received the Silver Star and Distinguished Service Cross during WWIand WWII. These are actually two separate books. The SS Bookis an alpha index in three parts listing recipients of the SS, but it doesnot contain SN. It gives the general order number, year, and headquartersthat published the order. It is a starting point from which to checkthe general order fiche to verify the SN and see if the requester is actuallythe individual that received the SS.

(3) Casualty Listing of WWII andKorean service members. List of veterans that are missing,lost or buried at sea during World War II and Korea for Purple Heart verification. This is an alpha listing which includes all services.

(4) General Order Books WWI. Book of veterans that served during World War I, listed by unit.

(5) PH Policies for WWII. Policy binder for award of Purple Heart during World War II.

(6) General Orders for various awardsduring the 50's. Microfiche index book of units listing fichelocation of Recommendations for Awards, General Orders showing veteranis entitled to the Purple Heart and other awards during the 1950's.

(7) Microfiche index and GeneralOrder awards for WWII and Korea. Fiche index that shows whatmicrofiche to check to find a General Order number for awards, by divisionand year, during World War II and Korea.

(8) Precedent Files WWI. Precedent files of specific award cases of rulings made for World War I.

(9) Microfiche of Korean POW Listings. Microfiche listing of Korea POW's in alpha order.

(10) WWI Card Files and Orders. Alpha card file of Army veterans who were entitled to the Silver Star,Purple Heart and Campaign Stars during World War I. Does not showcampaign stars; however, some show locations of service.

5. Dual Requests. Allrequests received in the Mail and Data Input Section, which contain requestsfor Army medals and additional documents/information, as well as thoseinvolving other branches of service, will be forwarded to the NRPMA MedalsSection.

6. Verifying entitlement to medals(non-fire-related cases).

a. Non-specific requests for all medals. Review separationdocuments and, as applicable, DA Form 20, Enlisted Qualification Record,DA Form 66, Officer Qualification Record, DA Form 24, Service Record, ORB,Officer Record Brief, or DA Form 2-1, Personnel Qualification Record, PartII. Complete the DA Form 1577 in accordance with the instructionsin par. 8, below, basedon the decorations and awards listed on these source documents. Itis not necessary to review the entire OMPF when the requester asks for'all medals' and does not specify certain ones to which he/she believesthat he/she is entitled.

b. Requestsfor specific medal(s). First review the documents listedin par. 6a, above. If the requested medal(s) is/are documented on those source documents,complete the DA Form 1577 in accordance with instructions inpar.8, below. If not, review the entire OMPF for general orders,citations, etc. to substantiate the requester's entitlement to the desiredmedal.

(1) Documentationfound in OMPF. Complete DA Form 1577 in accordance with instructionsin par. 8, below.

(2) Documentationnot found in OMPF. Search appropriate auxiliary sources describedin par. 3, above. If documentation of entitlement to award is found, complete the DA Form1577 in accordance with instructions in par.8, below. If not, furnish a negative reply to the requesterusing NA Form 13020, Response to Request Concerning Entitlement to Awards,and request that the veteran submit copies of documents (i.e.; GeneralOrder, Citation, or DD214) in his/her possession for further consideration. If the requester again requests the medals, but provides no or inadequatedocumentation, refer the case to PERSCOM or AR-PERSCOM, as appropriate. If there is evidence in the OMPF, Official Military Personnel File, thatthose offices have already reviewed the case and disapproved the award,send the requester a DD Form 149, Application for Correction of Militaryor Naval Records Under the Provisions of Title 10, US Code Sec. 1552.

a. Basicmedals for Korea.

Good Conduct Medal (forenlisted personnel)
National Defense Service Medal(Honorable service between 6/27/50 through 7/27/54)
Korea Service Medal ( if servedin Korea)
United Nations Service Medal (ifserved in Korea on behalf of the United Nations)

b. Basicmedals for WWII.

WWII Victory Medal
Honorable Service Lapel Button(ruptured duck)
Bronze Star Medal (based on theaward of the CIB, CMB or Defense of Philippines)
American Campaign Medal
American Defense Service Medal
European-African Middle EasternMedal (if served in those areas)
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal(if served in those areas)

c. Basicmedals for WWI.

WWI Victory Medal
WWI Victory Button (Bronze)

d. Pre-WorldWar I Medals. In 1981, the Army, as well as the other militaryservices, discontinued manufacture of pre-World War I service medals.

8. Completionof the DA Form 1577. NPRC technicians will complete DA 1577,Authorization for Issuance of Awards, and forward number 1 and 2 copiesof the completed form to: U.S. Army Soldier and Biological ChemicalCommand, IMMC, Soldier Systems Directorate, 700 Robbins Avenue, PO Box57997, Philadelphia, PA 19111-7997. The DA Form 1577 will becompleted using the instructionsin figure 1 (click here for a sample completedform). In addition to forwarding two copies of the DA1577 to Philadelphia, forward copy 3 to the requester, and file copy 4in the veteran's service record. When completing the DA Form 1577,using ball point pen, the technician must print clearly and press downhard to ensure the information appears through all copies. Afterthe last entry, enter on the next line 'Nothing Follows.'

a. Feescharged for replacement of medals. The initial DA Form 1577processed for each award is free of charge. Subsequent DA Form 1577'sfor the same award will include a notation in block 12 that a charge isrequired. If payment is required, Philadelphia sends a notice tothe intended recipient with payment instructions. Upon receipt offunds, Philadelphia issues the medal sets.

b. Multiple/ExtraSets of Medals. The following is Department of Army guidancepertaining to requests for Multiple/Extra Sets of Medals. Repeatedand/or multiple requests for replacements sets of medals for veterans orfor eligible surviving next of kin should be handled on a case by casebasis taking into consideration the reasons for replacements and familysituations (for example, divorce, separation, remarriage, death, etc.) Refer unusually difficult requests for multiple sets of medals to PERSCOM,Alexandria, VA for resolution.

c. Awardsavailable. AppendixA and Appendix Bprovide lists of awards and decorations available for issue by Philadelphia.

9. Correction of separation documents. Prepare DD Form 215, Correction to DD Form 214, Certificate of Releaseor Discharge from Active Duty. Add the awards not shown on the DDForm 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. Includethe area of operations for the AFEM; e.g., 'Armed Forces ExpeditionaryMedal (for Bosnia).' Send the original DD Form 215 to the veteranusing NA Form 13081, Change of Record Request, checking the appropriateblock. See the latest revision of NPRC 1865.87, Correction to DDForm 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, for distributionof the remaining copies of the DD Form 215.

10. Certificates. Awardcertificates will be prepared upon request from the veteran and next ofkin, if the same certificate was never previously issued. AppendixC provides a list of available Army Military Award Certificates. The following Army policy guidance applies to the issuance of award certificates:

a. AwardOrders. NO CERTIFICATE WILL BE ISSUED TO THE VETERAN WITHOUTAN ORDER, except for the Bronze Star Medal, World War II (based onthe CIB and CMB) or the Purple Heart (WWII and Killed-In-Action (KIA)).

b. Certificatesissued for decorations only. Award certificates are pre-signedby authorized officials and issued for decorations only. Certificatesare not issued for service medals, with the exception of the Good ConductMedal, effective January 1, 1981.

c. Othercertificates for decorations not issued. The following othercertificates for decorations not issued by NPRC are:

Joint Service CommendationMedal
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
Defense Distinguished Service Medal

Chief, Military PersonnelDivision
Personnel and Security Directorate
Washington Headquarters Services
Washington, DC 20301-4000

11. Citations. Citationsare normally issued in an original only at the time of the award. Therefore, in many cases, copies are not available in the service record. If available, provide photocopy upon request.

12. Special instructions for certaindecorations and awards.

a. Medalof Honor. All requests received for the Medal of Honor willbe forwarded to PERSCOM Awards Branch, Alexandria, VA. Prior to forwardingrequest to PERSCOM, attach a copy of the veteran's final separation document.

b. RetiredGeneral Officers. All requests for Retired General Officerawards and medals will be forwarded to PERSCOM Awards Branch, Alexandria,VA.

c. GoldStar Lapel Button. The Gold Star Lapel Button is issued towidows, widowers, parents, and next of kin of members of the Armed Forcesof the United States who lost their lives during WWI, WWII, United NationsAction in Korea; or who lost their lives after June 30, 1958, while engagedin military operations involving conflict with an imposing foreign force;or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflictin which the United States is not a belligerent party against an imposingArmed Force. Request for replacement of Gold Star Lapel Button (lost,destroyed, or unserviceable) must be submitted on DD Form 3, Applicationfor Gold Star Lapel Button. However, if DD Form 3 is not availableand the NOK provides sufficient documentation not found in OMPF, NPRC mayissue the Gold Star Lapel Button based on a letter request.

d. WorldWar II Army Air Corps medals. Upon receipt of requests forWWII Army Air Corps medals, check separation document for unit and referto DA Pam 672-1. EXCEPTION: Forward DFCand Air Medal requests to the Air Force, in accordance with NPRC1865.110, Request for awards and certificates.

e. PurpleHeart. Requests for the Purple Heart not supported by documentation(other than while POW) are returned to veteran with instructions to providemedical records, assigned unit, and date of injury. Upon receipt,NARA will check morning reports (prior to 1975), other NARA sources, andforward packet to PERSCOM Awards Branch for determination.

f. PurpleHeart for injuries while a prisoner of war (POW). For PurpleHeart requests for injuries while a POW, return request with instructionsto provide medical records, assigned unit, date of injury, sworn statementfrom witnesses, Repatriation Physical Examination and/or VA medical documentation. Upon receipt, NARA will verify POW status from NARA source and forwarddocumentation to PERSCOM, Alexandria, VA for determination.

g. Republicof the Philippines Medals. The Philippine Liberation Medaland the Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation Badge are not suppliedby the U. S. Army Soldier and Biological Chemical Command. Adviserequester to write to the following address to obtain these medals andsend a copy of the DA Form 1577 completed by NPRC along with the requiredfee: Defense and Armed Forces Affairs Office, Embassy of the Philippines,1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036. Do notforward request or DA Form 1577 directly to the Philippine Embassy. ThePhilippine government charges an assessment fee of $7.00 for both medalsto defray the administrative cost of processing, shipping and handling. (The Department of the Army does provide the Philippine Liberation Ribbonat no charge.)

h. Criteriafor award of the Combat Infantryman Badge. The followingare the criteria for the award of the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB). NPRC can verify entitlement to the CIB if all three conditions are met:

(2) Assigned to infantry unit, and

(3) Participation in combat (campaigns)while assigned to infantry unit and holding an infantry MOS.

j. AppendixE. Appendix Eprovides a list of awards issued for actions and humanitarian reasons sincethe cold war (1945).

Award Decoration Requested

13. National Guard Medal Requests. Requests from National Guard (NG) veterans requesting replacement medalsfor their active duty service will be processed, if the records are availablein NPRC's holdings. Requests for medals for which records are notavailable, or for state awards, will be returned to the veteran with instructionsto write to the Adjutant General of the state in which he/she served.

Award Decoration Requests