: Sites like Etsy feature vintage pins, badges, and honors from various eras, including international awards.
Collectors often look for "named" medals (engraved with a soldier's name) or specific historical variants.
For active-duty personnel needing "fruit salad" (ribbons and medals) for dress uniforms, or for veterans who want a second set for display, specialized online retailers offer high-quality, regulation-compliant items. buy military medals online
You will typically need to provide discharge papers (DD Form 214) to verify eligibility. 2. Specialized Military Suppliers
: Enthusiasts often use dedicated encyclopedias like Online Medals to check retail values and authenticity before purchasing rare items. 4. Critical Legal Warnings : Sites like Etsy feature vintage pins, badges,
If you are a veteran or the next-of-kin seeking to replace lost or damaged awards, you do not always need to buy them. The U.S. National Archives provides a process to request replacement medals at no cost for those who qualify. National Personnel Records Center (NPRC).
: While buying most medals for a collection is legal, using them to falsely claim military service or benefits is illegal and carries significant penalties. Obtaining Military Records and Medals You will typically need to provide discharge papers
: It is a federal crime to manufacture, sell, or trade the Medal of Honor without specific government authorization.