Wear Your Medals on Veterans Day

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Air Force Medals

The Department of Veterans Affairs calls on all veterans to express their patriotism and pride on Veterans Day and other major patriotic holidays through a display of medals earned in their military service.

Join your comrades in public display of your military decorations. It's a way to show your community the spirit of America's veterans and remind your neighbors of the service and sacrifice of those who guarded democracy.

As we salute America's heroes on Veterans Day, Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, wear your medals and show your pride, whether participating in public observances or relaxing with family and friends. Your medals tell a story of service in the cause of freedom that all Americans need to hear.

Update your Military.com profile with the badges and ribbons you earned through service.

Wearing Your Medals

The Veterans Pride campaign was launched to promote veterans wearing their military medals on Veterans Day, Memorial Day and the Fourth of July.

Beginning with Veterans Day 2006, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) joined with major veterans service organizations to bring veterans together across the country in a symbolic demonstration of unity and patriotism.

Click on a link below to see the correct order of precedence for each military service's awards.

A Veteran's Story

A veteran's military medals tell stories of service, sacrifice, bravery and accomplishment. Each story is as unique as the veteran who wears those medals. Sharing them with family, friends and the public on Veterans Day allows America's veterans to tell their stories to the entire nation and helps teach America's youth the true meaning of citizenship and freedom.

Replacement Medals

Medals awarded while in active service are issued by the individual military services, if requested by veterans or their next of kin. Requests for replacement medals, decorations and awards should be directed to the branch of the military in which the veteran served. However, for Air Force (including Army Air Corps) and Army veterans, the National Personnel Records Center verifies awards and forwards requests and verification to appropriate services. More information is available at the National Archives.

Learn more about military awards, medals and decorations at Military.com.

Shop for military medals, ribbons, display cases and more at the Military.com Medals of America webpage.

Stay on Top of Your Veteran Benefits

Military benefits are always changing. Keep up with everything from pay to health care by subscribing to Military.com, and get access to up-to-date pay charts and more with all latest benefits delivered straight to your inbox.

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