What to do with Army medals
 

Not exactly travel related but it could be....in going thru my dad's things, I found some medals he had been awarded during WW II. We have no kids to leave them to. What does one do with medals, and dog tags? Is there an Army museum that takes them?

Put them in a shadow box that you hang on the wall. What a wonderful way to remember loved ones, and makes a unique art wall. the Exposure catalog has the boxes

I agree with cigalechanta. If you live near a base, you might find someone that can custom make a shadow box for you as well.

Florida State University might be very interested in them:

http://www.fsu.edu/%7Eww2/

I agree with the shadow box idea. I'm sure he was proud of them and as Cigalechanta said, it is a great way to remember loved ones. Mine are mounted in a scrap book that I take to all the reunions. When I'm gone they will go a nephew.

The shadow box is a great idea for now; but there is no one to "leave" them to, so when that times comes, I need to know what to do with them.

Find out what "outfit" he was with (that should be on his papers somewhere, if you don't already know). Then find the reunion groups on the Internet. Almost all divisions of all the Armed Forces have reunion/update sites. Send your question to a veteran in charge of the appropriate site and ask for recommendations. It might turn out that some of the old-timers have lost various medals through the years and your dad's could serve as replacements, which they can then pass down to their own children.

Hopefully they will end up better than in a 25 cent bin of pins at a garage sale. I saw this several weeks ago.

Hang them and later donate them to his local organizzation that may REALLY appreciate them

Or a community theatre would love to have them.

My brother put my dad's in a shadow box. :-)

Ask friends or the local vets group.. My dad had several WWII campaign medals, but only one of each and 4 kids. I have been buying some on ebay...trying to get 4 full sets and make shadow boxes for all us.

As MelJ says, your father's unit might be interested. If not, you could try: http://www.amervets.com/donate.htm

If you have any of your father's letter that you'd like to donate, try the Legacy Project www.warletters.com

Thank you everyone. I will check out all your leads. There is no way I would ever throw them out or put them in a garage sale.

Icuy,
The government will provide a one time replacement of all medals earned to the veteran or a surviving family member. Depending when he served, he may have become eligible for additional medals.

In order to obtain them you will need a COPY, not the original) of his DD214 or other discharge paper and government form 180. You can google government form 180 to obtain a copy.

In section ll, line 2 enter your request for replacement medals and an update of form DD214.

Mail to:
National Personnel Records Center
Bureau of Army Personnel
Liason Office Room
9700 Page Avenue
St Louis, MO 63132-5100

If vet is Navy or Marine, It would be Bureau of Naval Personnel
Liason Office Romm 5409

It could take three to twelve months to get a reply.

When I requested replacement medals and update last year, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that I had also become eligible for the Navy Combat Action Ribbon and the Repubic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.

There are several companies that sell medals and shadow boxes and you can find them if you google Military Medals.

You got some very good advice on this. You can contact a local VFW for assistance, or if there is a nearby historical society that may be interested or can give advice.

I have some of my father's medals and other items from his service in the Army and his tour of duty in Korea. I'd never think of just letting them go without knowing that they were with someone that really appreciated them.

The D-Day Museum in New Orleans might be very interested. If you could include a bit about your father's service and even a picture, they might be used for display. We visited the museum for the first time a couple of years ago and were very impressed with how well it was done.

The National D-Day Museum
945 Magazine Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
504-527-6012

www.ddaymuseum.org

Maybe a solution.

Orange travelcat:
What medals do you have?

Icuy:
What medals are you looking for?

Ronkala- Thank you so much for the information. I'll be writing the records center today! It will mean a lot to have these.

I am looking for the following:

2 more of the "National Defense" medal

3 each in the mini size of:

"American Campaign" with "1941-1945" on the back,

"European, African,Middle Eastern Campaign" with "1941-1945" on back

"World War II" with "Freedom from fear and want..." on the back, and

"China Service" with "United States Navy for service" on the back.

My late father was a naval aviator for 20 years, then he retired and became an inter-city high school teacher for another 20 years. A humble, honorable, and smart man who was also a good husband and father to 4 rotten kids who grew up to be good adults thanks to his role modelling.