How should I create a memorial display for a deceased veteran’s family?

2021-06-20T22:48:34-04:00

One of the Marines I served with in Vietnam passed away roughly 30 years ago. A family member of the deceased Marine is wanting to put together a memorial display / shadow box of his medals / ribbons, etc. I have a copy of his DD214 and personal service record book. In reviewing the awards list in his DD214/SRB I’m aware of a couple of awards that were authorized subsequent to his passing. Q: should I just work off of his DD214 or attempt an update to reflect t the additional awards? The deceased Marine is someone I really looked up to and I’ve been in touch with his family for quite some time. Thanks for your thoughts and recommendations.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2021 7:44 PM

2021-06-21T19:44:52-04:00

I think you can request the National Archives to send their copy of his awards record to ensure you have everything. Granted it's slow right now, I've been waiting months for WWII records and they're saying COVID is keeping them from working fully.

Response by SGT Andrew Anderson made Jun 22 at 2021 10:41 AM

2021-06-22T10:41:47-04:00

First of all, just want to thank you for wanting to do something like this in honor of a fellow Marine. As far as your question, personally, I would definitely include any awards authorized after his DD214 was issued as many awards are posthumously awarded and never make it onto a DD214. If he was entitled to an award but was already discharged or deceased, he would still be entitled to that award just as long as all the prerequisites/criteria are met. I'm pretty sure the family can request any award, medal/ribbon he is entitled to that had not been previously issued to him. Take care and thanks for doing what you're doing.

Response by GySgt Kenneth Pepper made Jun 22 at 2021 2:16 PM

2021-06-22T14:16:29-04:00

If you have reason to think he "SHOULD BE" eligible for a unit or campaign awards issued after separating and you've done your due diligence investigating, I don't see the harm in including them in the display.
Personal awards would be a much more touchy subject in my opinion. I imagine he would not want anything attributed to him not earned.
A big Semper Fi to you for taking care of this.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jun 22 at 2021 2:38 PM

2021-06-22T14:38:53-04:00

If there is any documentation you should include it. Things like service stripes, just go off the 214. Service awards…depends on which ones. Go off the criteria and documents you have. So if he has a CAR from the RVN, you’d have the Vietnam Service Medal. Campaign stars correspond to campaigns and his participation in them. Little trickier

Response by SFC Kathy Pepper made Jun 22 at 2021 6:33 PM

2021-06-22T18:33:08-04:00

Check to see if he has a DD215 that includes the awards. After I got out, I received a DD215 with an award I didn’t know about. If he does not have one already, you can gather documentation about these new awards and apply for a DD215. His heirs may have to make the actual request, but you can do the legwork for them. The military may not want to make changes since the awards were authorized posthumously (rather than awarded), but it doesn’t cost anything except time to pursue it. The family might not get sent the actual awards, so you or the family will have to buy them.

Response by SPC Brian Mason made Jun 23 at 2021 8:51 AM

2021-06-23T08:51:00-04:00

I don't think there's a Memorial police.
I have my shadow box and from what that company told me is they mirror what you'd see on a soldier's chest regarding name plate, awards, badges, rank, etc. No one needs to see the DD214 nor the award certificates. I have mine in another binder and each is in a plastic sleeve; the official DD paperwork for it and the fancy embossed award paper.
The military is about order and structure and I'm sure having the shadow box look like that would be preferable.

Response by SP5 Dennis Dorsey made Jun 29 at 2021 12:09 PM

2021-06-29T12:09:07-04:00

I wish I could remember who I contacted with the VA, but I had some awards that were issued in 1969 for the years (1967-1968) I was in Vietnam that were not listed on my DD-214. One was from the South Vietnamese government, authorized by the Army but not on the DD-214.