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Replacement Medals

Cooch
I thought this was the place to ask...my Dad was a Marine during the final stages of the Korean dance. Not a hero...truth to tell he told various stories so that I don't know what was true or even if he saw any combat. He and I did not see eye to eye for most of my life. Assigning blame will last me for the next few decades...he passed from a brain tumor in 1994.

Anyway...I have the flag from his coffin and would like to display any medals that he had. I remember seeing a few when I was younger...but not what they were. As there was a messy divorce and legal mess...I have no idea where they went. I am sure that they aren't any of the "big" ones...but I would like to display what he earned.

Does anyone know how I could go about finding out what he had earned and obtaining copies, if this is possible?

I appreciate any help you can give me....it has taken me a while to decide to do this....overdue...
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Comments

15 comments

Date Votes
  • guntech59
    Try contacting the local Marine Corps recruiter. He may be able to point you in the right direction.
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  • Permanently deleted user
    If you can find hid DD-214 they will be listed on there.

    Also you will wait forever to recieve them from the government (I just got done waiting for 1 year to get some of mine from the Army that I had orders for but never recieved the medal)! It will not cost you much to order them from an army surplus store.
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  • Cooch
    I appreciate that...but I have nothing from him but the flag, a drill, and a circular saw. Pathetic ain't it?

    I have SS, DOB...don't even know his exact dates of service. Anything I can do with that?
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  • idsman75
    Cooch--Let me do some research. There is a government website complete with forms that you can fill out and send it. It may take a bit but it is possible. I'll try to get you your answer sometime by Sunday afternoon. I have to hit the books. Mid-term physics exam on Saturday.
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  • beneteau
    You might start here.
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  • medic07
    Cooch
    use the link that beneteau posted. You may need his SSAN, date of birth and full name. That should help you get started.

    Then once you get the DD Form 214, check with the local VA Office and see if they can help with replacement medals. If not, then you can get them on the internet easily.

    Also, the VA Office will help you get a grave marker (most of us use it as a footstone) that will have the name, branch, rank and conflict he was in...and if he had a significant medal (Bronze or Silver Star, etc) that will be on there as well. These are free of charge and they will ship it to the VA Office. Just take them a copy of the DD 214.
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  • Cooch
    Thanks for the help beneteau. I will start that process. I figure it will take time but hey...I have waited over 13 years to do this anyway.

    He died on opening day of deer season and whenever I sight in my guns I start thinking...

    Thanks again.
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  • ROY222
    Hello,
    Based on what you told us and past experience with questions like these, he most likely earned the following medals.
    National Defense medal,
    Korea Service medal,
    UN Korean Service medal,
    Republic of Korea War Service medal.

    It is also possible that the USMC good conduct and/or achievement and/or commendation medals were awarded.
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  • Flyin_Paulie
    I have a few fairly generic WW11 ribbons and medals I got in a box at a garage sale. If I know which ones you need I will be most happy to send them to you.[:)]
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  • frog21
    I'm gonna use the link also to get my dad's medals, like yours nothing out of the ordinary, but an important piece of the heritage.
    Pretty sure my half sister has my dad's, which is sad because he's not her father, only step. I am his only child they should be with his blood to passed to my daughter, not to her kids. A few years ago she did give me dad's flag along with some other (junk) stuff she had that was his, mostly recognition papers for safe driving etc. My wife has asked several times for old family pics. But she hasn't ever made an effort to give them to me. No divorce here just dad passing away and mom moving in with said half sister and her keeping the stuff that isn't hers.
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  • beneteau
    On July 12, 1973, a disastrous fire at NPRC (MPR) destroyed approximately 16-18 million Official Military Personnel Files. This fire totally destroyed a lot of Army and Air Force personnel records.

    Link
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  • frog21
    Just used the site to get the ball rolling very user friendly, just plug in as much info as you have and go from there.
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  • OldNavyGuy
    Hey Cooch ..... I dis-agree on one point ... I say he was a hero ! He answered the call, he did his duty, he served his country . What more qualification would he need ?

    "Semper Fi"

    Machinist Mate 1st Class, United States Navy, (retired)
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  • joeaf1911a1
    Cooch: If you have his discharge get a Standard Form 180 (on the web
    or from National Personnel Records,9700 Page Blvd, St Louis, MO 63132).
    A next of kin can get a replacement set of his medals at no charge. If no discharge is available, check the County Clerks Office where he lived
    after his discharge. Most of us from WW 2 and Korean War had our discharges filed with this office. Also check where he was employed as
    many times a copy of discharge was used on employment application. With
    most local, state or fed. Govts it was usually needed if aplicable. Next, check with the VFW and American Legion in his area. He might have joined and they would have his record. Your problem is not unique and in most cases with some hard work in digging it can be accomplished.
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  • Turbo72
    My grandfather served in the army in WWII and he too would never talk about the things that he saw and did. When my grandparents passed away I received my grandfather's service flag,his army dress jacket that has pins and patches on it(sorry don't know the name for it), and his purple heart. Is there any way of obtaining any documentation that he might have received with the medal. I do know that he also received a bronze star and my uncle has that one. What exactly is the bronze star given out for?
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