Talk:Obsolete military awards of the United States

Obsolete or Not
This is just a note to let you know that while these awards and decorations are no longer being awarded to currently living persons who have taken part in the events for which they were designed, they are NOT obsolete, nor are they difficult to obtain.

They are still being awarded POSTHUMOUSLY to persons for whom others - especially family - have worked to obtain proof of the awardee's right to such an award. In these cases, the family normally gets the award and the citation.

In addition, decendents of awardees can get replacement medals, and other venues that are displaying such awards can obtain replacements as well.

If you want the information, I can send it to you.

CORNELIUSSEON 18:17, 15 November 2005 (UTC)

Policy of Medals Reissuance
To the best of my knowledge, here is the offical policy of the miltiary with regards to the reissuance of awards and decorations to family members.


 * Army awards from after 1940 are generally issued without restriction to veterans or, if deceased, next of kin. Multiple sets are not authorized and if medals have already been once reissued, further replacements are charged a fee.
 * Air Force awards are issued without restriction to veteran or next of kin (if deceased). The Air Force has a large stock of medals and can provided additional replacements without a fee.
 * Army awards from 1918o 1940 are very difficult to verify due to the 1973 National Archives Fire. Generally, only basic service medals are issued such as the American Defense Service Medal and World War II Victory Medal.
 * Army awards from 1900 to 1918 are only issued to the veteran if still living. Per Army policy: "For over 80 years, the Army has more than met its obligation to World War I veterans and their descendants by issuing and reissuing medals.  The Army cannot provide medals in perpetuity to all future descendants of Army war veterans.  However, these awards can be purchased from civilian dealers in military insignia."
 * Army awards of the 19th century are no longer issued by the military service. This si since 19th century records are archival under the authority of the National Archives and Records Administration and NARA does not issue medals.
 * Navy and Marine Corps awards after 1940 are issued to the veteran or next of kin. The Departent of the Navy only provides a single replacment set but will provide additional sets under certian circumstances
 * Navy and Marine Corps awards before 1939 are no longer issued by teh Department of the Navy. This is since pre-1940 records of the USN and USMC are now archival under the authority of the Military Personnel Records Center.
 * Coast Guard medals from any period may be issued to the veteran or next of kin. The Department of the Navy is the issuing authority.  The Navy will not, however, issue medals and awards of the Revenue Cutter Service.
 * The Medal of Honor is a special case. There is an office in Alexandria, Virginia that handles replacement requests for the MOH.
 * Awards and decorations of the National Guard are issued by the State Adjutant General, usually without much restriction as to time and who is requesting them.
 * Source: Regulations for the reissuance of awards, National Personnel Records Center -Husnock 22:55, 15 November 2005 (UTC)

Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal
I removed this medal from the previous page because it is not yet obsolete. Echo5Joker

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