Military Awards and Decorations
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 personnel, the National Personnel Records Center will verify the awards to which a veteran is entitled and forward the request with the verification to the appropriate service department for issuance of the medals.
The eVetRecs is preferred for requesting medals and awards. Provide as much information as possible in the comments field. Should you prefer to submit your request using a SF180 then provide as much information as possible and send the form to the appropriate address from the following tables:
| Army | |
|---|---|
| Where to write for medals |
National Personnel Records Center 9700 Page Avenue St. Louis, MO 63132-5100 |
| Where medals are mailed from | U.S. Army TACOM Clothing and Heraldry (PSID) P.O. Box 57997 Philadelphia, PA 19111-7997 |
| Where to write in case of a problem or an appeal |
Commander U.S. Army Human Resources Command Attn: TAPC-PDO-PA 200 Stovall Street Alexandria, VA 22332-0474 |
| Air Force (including Army Air Corps & Army Air Forces) | |
|---|---|
| Where to write for medals | National Personnel Records Center 9700 Page Avenue St. Louis, MO 63132-5100 |
| Where medals are mailed from | Headquarters Air Force Personnel Ctr AFPC/DPPPR 550 C Street West, Suite 12 Randolph AFB, TX 78150-4714 |
| Where to write in case of a problem or an appeal |
Headquarters Air Force Personnel Ctr AFPC/DPPPR 550 C Street West, Suite 12 Randolph AFB, TX 78150-4714 |
| Navy | |
|---|---|
| Where to write for medals | Navy Personnel Command Liaison Office Room 5409 9700 Page Avenue St. Louis, MO 63132-5100 |
| Where medals are mailed from | Navy Personnel Command Liaison Office Room 5409 9700 Page Avenue St. Louis, MO 63132-5100 |
| Where to write in case of a problem or an appeal |
Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV 09B33) Awards & Special Projects Washington, DC 20350-2000 |
| Marine Corps | |
|---|---|
| Where to write for medals | Navy Personnel Command Liaison Office Room 5409 9700 Page Avenue St. Louis, MO 63132-5100 |
| Where medals are mailed from | Navy Personnel Command Liaison Office Room 5409 9700 Page Avenue St. Louis, MO 63132-5100 |
| Where to write in case of a problem or an appeal |
Commandant of the Marine Corps Military Awards Branch (MMMA) 3280 Russell Road Quantico VA 22134-5100 |
| Coast Guard | |
|---|---|
| Where to write for medals | Navy Personnel Command Liaison Office Room 5409 9700 Page Avenue St. Louis, MO 63132-5100 |
| Where medals are mailed from | Navy Personnel Command Liaison Office Room 5409 9700 Page Avenue St. Louis, MO 63132-5100 |
| Where to write in case of a problem or an appeal |
Commandant U.S. Coast Guard Medals and Awards Branch (PMP-4) Washington, DC 20593-0001 |
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.
Cold War Recognition Certificate
In accordance with section 1084 of the Fiscal Year 1998 National Defense Authorization Act, the Secretary of Defense approved awarding Cold War Recognition Certificates to all members of the armed forces and qualified federal government civilian personnel who faithfully served the United States during the Cold War era, from Sept. 2, 1945, to Dec. 26, 1991.
Who is eligible? All members of the armed forces and federal government civilian personnel who faithfully served the United States during the Cold War era, Sept. 2, 1945, to Dec. 26, 1991.
This Center will, upon request, provide copies of DD 214's and other separation documents, as appropriate, to authorized requesters. These documents may be used to apply for the Certificate. Complete instructions for obtaining a copy of your DD 214 may be found under How to Request Copies of Military Service Records. However, this center does not have the application form available, nor will we be able to supply the Certificate itself. For more information concerning the application process visit the Cold War Recognition Certificate webpage.
"NARA ensures, for the Citizen and the Public Servant, for the President and the Congress and the Courts, ready access to essential evidence."
