OT: Military medal displays / Shadow Boxes

[bulldogcountry1]

I’ve been wanting to make shadow boxes for years to honor my grandfathers who served in WWII. One of the issues is that I have none of the original medals for one GF and only some for the other. Purchasing new medals is quite expensive, and, obviously, won’t have the same meaning.

I’ve seen examples of digital recreations of them, but I don’t know how they are done. I assume there is some software or a website that does it. That seems like a viable option.

If anyone can offer advice or ideas, I would appreciate it.

 

[Jeffreauxdawg]

Veterans, authorized representatives, or their survivors are allowed to request replacement medals from the NPRC. No charge for WW2 vets I believe. They will check against the service members records to make sure all the right medals are sent.

https://www.archives.gov/personnel-records-center/awards-and-decorations

Otherwise army surplus stores and the internet is the way to go.

 

[GloryDawg]

You are missing the picture. I have lost many of my metals and replaced them. When I was little our house burned down and all my dads metals were destroyed. He ordered new ones. My point is if he earned it he has earned it and that's what matters. The metal it self is there to be worn on the uniform. A lot of guys have replacement metals and ribbons. Spend the money and buy some more. Just find his DD214's and see what metals he has earned and see what you have and do not have. He could have multiple DD214's if he reenlisted. Every time you get discharged you get a DD214 and it will list the metals and ribbons you earned during that enlistment. It will not have metals and ribbons earned from other enlistments.

 

[Mobile Bay]

Veterans, authorized representatives, or their survivors are allowed to request replacement medals from the NPRC. No charge for WW2 vets I believe. They will check against the service members records to make sure all the right medals are sent.

https://www.archives.gov/personnel-records-center/awards-and-decorations

Otherwise army surplus stores and the internet is the way to go.

I can tell you with my mothers experience with them trying to get her fathers records and medals, don't even bother trying with them. Go directly to the U.S. representatives office in your district.

 

[SouthOfI10]

I just had one done recently for my uncle who was shot down over Germany in WW2.... I found an Air Corp patch and second lieutenant bars online at a place on the west coast.... I had his medals and awards but added the patch and bars to the display along with his flag

 

[bulldogcountry1]

I wrote a military records office years ago, and they sent me a letter back saying they lost a lot of records in a major fire. I had read that might be the case beforehand.

I do have discharge papers for both, so I effectively know all the medals they earned. There are more details I found out through reading, like anyone who earned a CIB in WWII retroactively got a bronze star medal.

 

[greenbean.sixpack]

You are missing the picture. I have lost many of my metals and replaced them. When I was little our house burned down and all my dads metals were destroyed. He ordered new ones. My point is if he earned it he has earned it and that's what matters. The metal it self is there to be worn on the uniform. A lot of guys have replacement metals and ribbons. Spend the money and buy some more. Just find his DD214's and see what metals he has earned and see what you have and do not have. He could have multiple DD214's if he reenlisted. Every time you get discharged you get a DD214 and it will list the metals and ribbons you earned during that enlistment. It will not have metals and ribbons earned from other enlistments.

Medals, not metals.

 

[Jeffreauxdawg]

Medals, not metals.

Don't be persnickety. He was a marine. Pretty sure they insert a metal plate in their heads first week at Parris Island. Makes them think they are bulletproof.**

 

[CochiseCowbell]

Don't be persnickety. He was a marine. Pretty sure they insert a metal plate in their heads first week at Parris Island. Makes them think they are bulletproof.**

Plus it improves their mettle, which is paramount when meddling in foreign affairs.

 

[Jeffreauxdawg]

Plus it improves their mettle, which is paramount when meddling in foreign affairs.

Well done...

But don't forget about the ridiculous amounts of methyl they spew when they tell their stories 20 years later about the metal in their heads and medal they earned while proving their mettle when politicians sent them to meddle.

 

[GloryDawg]

Medals, not metals.

Understand. It was bait.