Where to Buy Replacement Military Medals: A Guide for Veterans
Losing a military medal, especially a valuable and irreplaceable one, can be a traumatic experience for veterans. Medals symbolize their bravery, achievements, and dedication to serving their country. Therefore, replacing lost or damaged medals is essential to maintaining a sense of pride, continuity, and recognition. But, where can veterans purchase replacement military medals?
Where to Buy Replacement Military Medals: Top Sources
To answer this question, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of trusted sources where veterans can purchase replacement military medals.
Department of Defense (DoD)
- The DoD produces replacement medals through the Uniformed Services Identification Preservation System
- To request a replacement, fill out the DD Form 369, available on the DoD Forms and Publications.
- Contact the Army Award, Army Reserve Personnel (ARP), Navy & Marine Corps, and Air Force Personal for further information
- VA Certify Awards and Certify Claims
- Contact the Veterans Affairs’ Office of Military Service in Chicago
- Ensure medals are lost, not duplicated
Non-Appropriated Funds (NAF)
- The Armed Services Exchanges (AME) on base
- Medals can be customized, including name plates
- Beware: Non-standard and possibly costly medals may not meet military specifications
Commercial Suppliers and Private Enterprises
- Check Army & Navy Coin Collectors’ Directory of Army, Navy and Medal Collectors
- Use reliable dealerships and collect rare, mint-condition, medals for serious collectors
Alternative Sources and Services
Additional resources and services worth exploring include:
+ [United States Institute for Peace's Medal Archive and Replacement](https://www.usip.org)
+ [Military Uniform Center (MUC) Authorized Representative for Medal Manufacturing and Customized Products](http://militaryuniform.com)What You Should Know
Before ordering or requesting a replacement, make sure:
• Your record accurately reflects all issued medals and awards.
• To confirm compatibility between original medals and their designs (color, metals).
• Contact service-related branches and authorities when unclear or doubtful.
* Always follow the standard DoD instructions and formal documentation to maintain the highest quality replacement medal.Tables for Easier Decision Making
| Replacement Process | Process | Department/Organization |
|---|---|---|
| Original issued by military | Service-Branch Medal Office (BOA) | |
| Requests approved through DoD ID Preservation System | National Military Records (NMDRS) | |
| Original received in replacement | Returned Service Record, or DoD records update |
DoD-approved Medal Manufacturers
| Manufacturer | Certificates/Credentials | ISO9001 Certified (2000/2015)? | NATO/DefSeco Supplier? | Service/Defender |
[Supplier table is sample based]Common Practices
Verify Authentication and Materials:
Ensure that you choose genuine products and documents (i.e., documents showing serial numbers or unit names).
Use trusted distributors who abide by ISO9001/2015 and relevant standard manufacturing requirements.
Document purchase dates and transactions
Remember that a lost military medal should be reported as lost to maintain the medal records.
Replacing lost military medals, however, allows our esteemed veterans to wear those symbolic decorations once again and take pride in their unwavering service.
Prior to the request of replacements, the information below are provided by the most up-to-date resources which make easy understanding.
Hope now your all confusion got resolved Where to buy replacement military medals
