Replacement of a Discharge from Military Service

A veteran or next of kin may request a copy of the veteran's discharge from military service from the National Records Center, Military Personnel Records, 9700 Page Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63132-5100. The National Records Center recommends submitting the request using:

http://www.archives.gov/facilities/mo/st_louis
/military_personnel_records/standard_form_180.html

Requests require the signature of the veteran or next of kin, if the veteran is deceased. Please include the veteran’s full name, date of birth, branch of military service, service number and approximate dates of military service. The requirements of federal law do not permit telephonic, faxed or e-mail requests. The workload of the National Records Center may not permit a prompt response to a request.

A veteran who received Michigan’s WW II (Public Act 12 of 1947,
MCL 35.921), Korean, or Vietnam bonus may request by letter a copy of the discharge from military service from the:

Veterans Affairs Directorate
3423 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
Lansing, MI 48906

The Veterans Affairs Directorate also has the DD Forms 214 for a veteran discharged since 1980 who requested their branch of military service provide the State of Michigan a copy of their discharge record. Requests require the signature of the veteran or next of kin, if the veteran is deceased. The next of kin must include a copy of the veteran’s death certificate. Please include the veteran’s full name, date of birth, branch of military service, service number and approximate dates of military service. Michigan's DD-214 Request form includes all of the needed information.

Replacement of Military Awards

Medals awarded while in active service are issued by the individual military services if requested by veterans or by the next of kin of deceased veterans. When requesting medals, type or clearly print the veteran’s full name, branch of military service, service number or Social Security Number and provide either the exact or approximate dates of military service. The request must be signed by the veteran or the next of kin if the veteran is deceased. If available, include a copy of the military discharge or separation document.

Requests for medals from the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard should be sent to:

US Navy Liaison Office
National Records Center
Room 3475
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100

Requests for medals from the Army or Air Force should be sent to:

National Personnel Records Center
Military Personnel Records
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100

Information on awards and decorations can be found on:

http://www.archives.gov/facilities/mo/st_louis
/military_personnel_records/awards_and_decorations.html

The SF 180 can be found at:

http://www.archives.gov/facilities/mo/st_louis
/military_personnel_records/standard_form_180.html