Main contributor: Thomas MacEntee

When researching ancestors who served in the United State military, locating records of their awards and decorations can provide significant insight into their service. These records can also be invaluable for understanding the context of their military experiences.

Gather Basic Information

United States Military Awards and Decorations - US Coast Guard
United States Military Awards and Decorations - US Coast Guard

Collect as much information as possible about an ancestor's military service. This will help narrow down the search and avoid confusion with individuals who have similar names. Key details to gather include:

  • Full name
  • Branch of service (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard)
  • Rank
  • Dates of service (if known)
  • Service number (if known)
  • Unit or division
  • Location and time periods of service (e.g., World War II, Vietnam, etc.)

Locate Service Records

The best place to begin is with an ancestor's military service record, as awards and decorations are often noted there. The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) maintains the personnel records for the U.S. military. Request service records for individuals who served in the following branches:

  • Army (after 1912)
  • Air Force (after 1947)
  • Navy (after 1885)
  • Marine Corps (after 1905)
  • Coast Guard (after 1919)

How to Request Records:

  • Online: Use the National Archives’ eVetRecs system to request records.
  • By Mail: Submit Standard Form (SF-180), which can be downloaded from the National Archives website.

Note: Due to a fire in 1973 at the NPRC, many Army and Air Force records from 1912–1960 were destroyed. In such cases, it might be necessary to rely on alternative sources.

Locate Unit Records

If service records are incomplete or unavailable, consider looking at unit histories and records. Unit records often detail battles, commendations, and collective awards such as campaign ribbons or unit citations.

Where to Find Unit Records:
  • National Archives: Visit the National Archives in College Park, Maryland, or use their online catalog.
  • Veterans Organizations: Contact veterans' organizations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) or the The American Legion. They may have access to unit histories or specific award lists.

Consult Award Databases

Several databases specifically track military awards and decorations:

  • Army Awards and Decorations: The U.S. Army has an official awards database, but it’s primarily for modern records.
  • Valor Awards Database: The database at Military Times Hall of Valor is a searchable database contains information on recipients of military honors such as the Medal of Honor, Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart.
  • Congressional Medal of Honor Database: Search for Medal of Honor recipients by war, branch, or name at the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

Check Online Genealogy Databases

Genealogy databases may contain transcriptions or indexes of military awards and decorations including MyHeritage.

Visit a Local Veterans Office

If an ancestor lived in a particular area after their service, local veterans' offices might have records or resources related to military awards. They often keep copies of DD-214 forms (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), which include awards and decorations.

Contact the Appropriate Branch

If an ancestor’s records are not available through other channels, you can directly contact the branch of the military where they served:

  • Army Awards and Decorations Branch: Handles award verification for Army personnel.
  • Navy Personnel Command: Can help locate Navy and Marine Corps award records.
  • Air Force Personnel Center: Assists with Air Force personnel and awards.
  • Coast Guard Personnel Service Center: Maintains records of Coast Guard decorations.

Review Newspapers and Local Archives

Awards and decorations were often mentioned in hometown newspapers. Searching through historical newspapers may yield mentions of awards, especially for significant honors like the Purple Heart or Medal of Honor.

Be Prepared for Delays

Requests for military records, especially for older records, may take time to process. Patience is key, as some requests might take several months.

Explore more about Military awards and decorations

Retrieved from ""