where do i start in trying to get a vietnam vet.his metals? he left 1 day early to come home and didn't get.

Question

my dad wanted to come home one day early and didn't get his metals and i would like to help him get those.

Answer 1

First tell him I said

Welcome Home,

I hope that he registered his DD214 with your local clerk if not, go to http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/get-service-records.html then you can request it on line at their web page; fax it or write them. If after you receive your DD214 you need awards and medals download a Form SF 180 Requests Pertaining to Military Records, http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/replacement-medals.html complete it and send to one of the following:

Bureau of Naval Personnel (Navy, Coast guard and Marines)
Liaison Office Room 5409
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100

National Personnel Records Center (Air Force)
Air Force Reference Branch (NRPMF)
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100

National Personnel Records Center (Army)
Medals Section (NRPMA-M)
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100

Best of luck. Thank-you and God Bless you and the Southern People.

Answer 2

If you go directly through the VA it may take a while to get the medals. Contact the U.S. House of Representatives member from your area or one of your two U.S. senators. They get requests like this all the time and have the contacts to expedite the process.

You can look up the federal officials that represent you at the following websites:
www.house.gov - at the top of the page you can enter your zip code and the site will direct you to the correct Representative
www.senate.gov - at the top right of the page there is a drop down menu with all the Senators

Whomever you contact will need a copy of your father's DD-214 form (often called "discharge papers"). This should list your father's dates of service and provide information on the commendations that he earned. With that information they can proceed with getting the medals ordered for your father.

Answer 3

Contact the veterans office in your local area. They can point you in the right direction. Look in the yellow pages under government listings, it will be the blue pages in the beginning.
You'll have to buy the medals, but a service record should be on file stating what medals and accommodations he has received, and what these medals were for.
Might not be the best answer, but it's a start. Good luck.

Answer 4

Contact your local Veterans Administration and start there. The main VA office is in St. Louis so that's where I would go next. They can look up his records and go from there. Good luck. He deserves them and should have them. Also, see if your dad still has his discharge papers (DD-214), that would help a great deal.

Answer 5

?? Do you mean receiving his Orders ?? Are they on his DD 214 ?? Otherwise contact the VA Office. They will be able to assist you.

To receive a copy of his DD 214 mail to this address with the dates, SSN of when your father served.
National Personnel Records Center
Military Personnel Records
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100

Answer 6

you say "he left one day early", did he desert
or did he receive an early ETS(expiration
term of service)? If he left under honorable
conditions the Department of Veterans Affairs
might be able to help. you could try some pawn
shops around military bases, they usually have
a fine selection of metals and ribbons.

Answer 7

Check with the VFW or the American Legion.
They should be able to tell you where to write.
The VA will send him all his medals and won't cost him a penny.
Needs his DD214 and all his dates and locations of service.
The medals are beautiful and a work of art.