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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How do you recover awards you lost?
TSgt James Potter
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If the award was listed on your DD214 when you got out, isn't that good enough?
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LTC Operations Officer (Opso)
LTC (Join to see)
9 y
Only if it made it.
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LTC Jason Mackay
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LTC (Join to see) what award can you not find? It makes a difference where you can ask.
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LTC Operations Officer (Opso)
LTC (Join to see)
9 y
I never had this but most I heard of were AAMs. They ranged from basic training to ETS awards, Sir.
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Cpl Dave Dziados
Cpl Dave Dziados
9 y
Sirs all military records can be obtained from the dav give them a call in your local erea and they will get them and when they get them they will call you .you will.have to pick them up in person with proper id.
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LTC Jason Mackay
LTC Jason Mackay
9 y
LTC (Join to see) they would be maintained at the awarding unit. If they deactivated, then their parent organization. Cpl Dave Dziados these awards he is talking about never made it to official channels beyond the awarding organization. It is unlikely they made it to St Louis, but if is an interesting angle I had not considered.
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COL Jon Thompson
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Edited 9 y ago
Throughout my career, I have kept an "I love me" book with all certificates, awards, orders, etc. I recommend that everyone do something like that as I have copies of all award certificates and DA638s. Another source is if the SM DD214 as awards should be annotated there. Finally, you can request copies of your official military records through Army HRC. Now if the unit never gave you the paperwork, that might be different.
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MAJ Ann Brechbuhl
MAJ Ann Brechbuhl
9 y
How do I get the award added to my 214, if I have the certificate and 638 with the orders number but ETS'd 20 years ago?
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1SG Charles Hunter
1SG Charles Hunter
9 y
MAJ Ann Brechbuhl - I suggest submitting SF 180 to NPRC with copies of documentation you have. They can issue DD 215 (supplement to DD 214). Don't expect a rapid response, as NPRC is SLOOOOOOOOW!
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SPC Tanya Cummings Boozer
SPC Tanya Cummings Boozer
9 y
MAJ Ann Brechbuhl - This is the form you file to change your DD 214; you will receive a DD 215 which you need to keep with your 214. http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/forms/eforms/dd0149.pdf
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MAJ Ann Brechbuhl
MAJ Ann Brechbuhl
9 y
Thank you!
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SPC Tanya Cummings Boozer
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CPT Maurelli, 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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SGT Leon Riege
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dd214 if it aint on there you didnt get it
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SGT Leon Riege
SGT Leon Riege
9 y
it is your responsibility to make sure you records are correct
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SGT Joe Sabedra
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It should be listed on your DD-214
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Cpl Robert Clark
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http://www.archives.gov is one place to start. VSO's and the VA can help as well.
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SFC Stephen Smithers
SFC Stephen Smithers
9 y
You can Google search for Standard Form 180 (SF180) and fax to National Archives [login to see]
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Cpl Robert Clark
Cpl Robert Clark
9 y
SFC Stephen Smithers - you can also download the SF-180 at archives.gov
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