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Medals Medals awarded while in active service are issued by the appropriate service if requested by veterans or, if deceased, their next of kin. Requests for medals from the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard should be sent to the U.S. Navy Liaison Office, National Personnel Records Center, Room 3475, 9700 Page Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63132- 5100. Requests for medals from the Army should be sent to the U.S. Army Reserve Personnel Center, ATTN: ARPC-VSE, 9700 Page Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63132-5100. Requests for medals from the Air Force should be sent to the National Personnel Records Center (Military Personnel Records), 9700 Page Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63132-5100. The veteran’s full name should be printed or typed, so that it can be read clearly. The request must contain the signature of the veteran or the signature of the next of kin if the veteran is deceased. Include the veteran’s branch of service, service number or Social Security number and exact or approximate dates of service. If available, include a copy of the discharge or separation document, WDAGO Form 53-55 or DD Form 214. If possible, send the request on Standard Form 180, "Request Pertaining To Military Records." These forms are available from VA offices or veterans organizations.
Records Review of Discharges Each of the military services maintains a discharge review board with authority to change, correct, or modify discharges or dismissals that are not issued by a sentence of a general court martial. The board has no authority to address medical discharges. The veteran or, if the veteran is deceased or incompetent, the surviving spouse, next of kin or legal representative may apply for a review of discharge by writing to the military department concerned, using Department of Defense Form 293. This form may be obtained at a VA office. If more than 15 years have passed since discharge, DD Form 149 should be used. Service discharge review boards conduct hearings in Washington, D.C. Traveling review boards also visit selected cities to hear cases. In addition, the Army sends teams to locations to videotape the testimony of applicants for later review by a board in Washington, D.C. Discharges awarded as a result of unauthorized absence in excess of 180 days make persons ineligible for VA benefits regardless of action taken by discharge review boards, unless VA determines there were compelling circumstances for the absences. Boards for the correction of military records also may consider such cases. Veterans with disabilities incurred or aggravated during active military service may qualify for medical or related benefits regardless of separation and characterization of service. Veterans separated administratively under other than honorable conditions may request that their discharge be reviewed for possible recharacterization, provided they file their appeal within 15 years of the date of separation. Questions regarding the review of a discharge may be addressed to the appropriate discharge review board at the following addresses: • Army — Army Discharge Review Board, Attention: SFMR-RBB, Room 200A, 1941 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA 22202-4504. • Navy and USMC — Navy Discharge Review Board, 801 N. Randolph St., Suite 905, Arlington, VA 22203. • Air Force — Air Force Military Personnel Center, Attention: DP-MDOA1, Randolph AFB, TX 78150-6001. • Coast Guard — Coast Guard, Attention: GPE1, Washington, DC 20593. Replacing Military Records If discharge or separation papers are lost, duplicate copies may be obtained by contacting the National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records, 9700 Page Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63132-5100. Specify that a duplicate separation document or discharge is needed. The veteran’s full name should be printed or typed so that it can be read clearly, but the request must also contain the signature of the veteran or the signature of the next of kin, if the veteran is deceased. Include branch of service, service number or Social Security number and exact or approximate dates and years of service. Use Standard Form 180, "Request Pertaining To Military Records," available from VA offices. It is not necessary to request a duplicate copy of a veteran’s discharge or separation papers solely for the purpose of filing a claim for VA benefits. If complete information about the veteran’s service is furnished on the application, VA will obtain verification of service from the National Personnel Records Center or the service department concerned. In a medical emergency, information from a veteran’s records may be obtained by phoning the appropriate service: Army, 314-538-4261; Air Force, 314-538-4243; Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard, 314-538-4141. Correction of Military Records The secretary of a military department, acting through a board for correction of military records, has authority to correct any military record when necessary to correct an error or remove an injustice. Applications for correction of a military record, including review of discharges issued by courts martial, may be considered by a correction board. A request for correction generally must be filed by the veteran, survivor or legal representative within three years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice. The board may excuse failure to file within the prescribed time, however, if it finds it would be in the interest of justice to do so. It is the responsibility of the applicant to show why the filing of the application was delayed and why it would be in the interest of justice for the board to consider the application despite the delay. To justify any correction, it is necessary to show to the satisfaction of the board that the alleged entry or omission in the records was in error or unjust. Applications should include all available evidence, such as signed statements of witnesses or a brief of arguments supporting the requested correction. Application is made with DD Form 149, available at any VA office.
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