Posted on Jan 11, 2016
LTC Operations Officer (Opso)
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Over the years I have seen and heard people who were awarded awards but lost the documentation. It ranged from I got out and lost the box when I moved and now that I am back in I cannot find it to the unit gave me the award but I never got the paperwork to my unit never permed it and I lost it somehow.

Obviously you cannot wear it if you do not have it in your permenant records. So how can they "recover" these awards?
Posted in these groups: Us medals Awards
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Responses: 25
LTC Jason Mackay
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Edited 9 y ago
You need to differentiate between the certificate and the 638. Both should have the Permanent Order number on them. The 638 has it on backside bottom (27b) from the orders authority. The certificate should have it typed on the bottom somewhere, usually under the signature block. Either one is a substantiating document.

Places where awards are supposed to go, and there is a potential place to find them:
- official OMPF (certificate), which can be requested after ETS. Your S1/G1 is supposed to do this upon approval of said award...yeah doesn't always happen. If it does, someone is always compelled to scrawl your SSN obtrusively as possible with a sloppy, lazy elypse vaguely drawn "around" the SSN. While you "technically" have it, it looks crapptastic in a frame.
- there are 4 copies of the 638. One of those copies is retained by the approval authority, That becomes the permanent orders you should be able to get it from them. 1x Unit, 1xOMPF, and 1x individual. Have seen as many as 3x individual. It doesn't get you a certificate if you lost it. Some S1s make a black and white copy.
- Enlisted members (or the S1 on their behalf) are supposed to submit the certificate and 638 when placing in the Official personnel file. Officers typically only need the certificate for iperms.

Unit Citations are easier. Take your ERB / ORB and search the 4x Data Bases on the HRC website. They are linked to DA General Orders that announce them.
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SFC Ronald Burris
SFC Ronald Burris
9 y
Don't forget the DD 214. It is supposed to list all awards on it.
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LTC Jason Mackay
LTC Jason Mackay
9 y
I didn't list the 214 because he is in a RC unit and it never hit his records to start with
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SPC Tanya Cummings Boozer
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This is where I would start. http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/index.html

Takes 3 minutes to complete. I finally just did it myself, as we were awarded a couple medals after I ETS's 23 years ago. They will send you a complete replacement set, no charge, the first time.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
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While the Long Form may have disappeared they should be annotated in your DD214 and always make it a habit when you move into a town put your DD214 on file at the county seat that way if you misplace your DD214 you can always go to the county seat and get a copy.
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CMSgt James Nolan
CMSgt James Nolan
9 y
SSG Everett Wilson - Seriously? That is about as jacked up as I have ever heard.
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Cpl Tracey Chapman
Cpl Tracey Chapman
9 y
This is so important for me thank you gentlemen and women ladies thank you for your help keep up the faith god bless t a chapman Usmc retired
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Cpl Tracey Chapman
Cpl Tracey Chapman
9 y
Can not vote own response
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SFC Ronald Burris
SFC Ronald Burris
9 y
SSG Everett Wilson - Who cut your original orders? This organization is supposed to provide help in doing the right thing to help you out. It doesn't take long to print out new orders on You. So, go back to the people that cut your original orders and let them know that they are responsible for assisting You. They are the ones that control the Order numbers on all orders they cut so they have to be the one that helps out. If you cant get assistance go to the IG or go online and find out where the IG you need to talk with is and call them. That should get your results if what I originally told You doesn't help. You don't have to be active to go to the IG.
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