If you’re like most WW II vets, you never did get all the medals that you were entitled to.  Matter of fact, you may not have gotten all the campaign ribbons that you deserved either.  OK, for a lot of you, it doesn’t really matter much. But have you asked your children or grandchildren if they’re interested?  When’s the last time you got the medals and ribbons out and showed them to the kids?  Never?  Shame on you.  Whatever you’ve got, get them out and show them to the kids, no matter what their ages are.  I can just about guarantee that you’ll see some new found interest in what you did during the War.

     Now, wouldn’t you also like to show the kids everything that you were supposed to get, but didn’t?  Do you realize that for every WW II Campaign Ribbon, there’s a medal to go with it?  You say you never got them?  Well, very few vets got their medals because they often weren’t distributed until after the War, when someone asked for them.  In some cases, vets are due honors they didn’t even know they received, as was the recent case of a Silver Star recipient.

     Here’s how you can get your medals reissued – at no charge in most cases, to you or anyone else.  Your heirs can also have your medals reissued.  But wouldn’t it be a lot nicer if you already had them, so you could show them to the kids?   One way to go about this is to go to the "Military Personnel Records – Military Medals and Awards" web page on the Internet.  If you don’t have a computer with Internet access, or know someone who does, go to your local Library or Schools.  They’ll be glad to assist you.  

     If you are a veteran or next-of-kin of a deceased veteran (this is not applicable for anyone else), the easiest way to apply for your medals and ribbons is to use the new on-line application.  At the end of the application, you will need to print out a "signature verification" page and either mail or fax it to the Military Personnel Records Center.  This is because Federal law requires that all requests for records and information be submitted in writing and each request must be signed and dated by the veteran or next of kin.  Although this on-line application is the same as used to request your records, there will be an area (item #7) where you can request "Military Awards/Decorations".  To use this feature, click on the following link and follow the instructions;

     If you can't use the on-line application, you'll need to submit your request on a specific form, SF180, Request Pertaining to Military Records.  This form can be easily downloaded and printed from the "Military Personnel Records - Military Medals and Awards" site, reachable from the link below.  Adobe Acrobat Reader software is required in order to properly display and print these forms.  If you don't have it, a free version is available by following the link on the Records Center web site.  Be sure to print both sides of the form.  The back contains mailing information that will apply to your request.

     When completing the form, specify that you are requesting a re-issuance of your awards and medals. The Records Center will research what awards you’re supposed to have and then write you a letter telling you what they are. This will take about 6 months. The letter will tell you that it will take another 6 months, from the time you received the letter before you receive the medals and ribbons. So BE PATIENT. It’s well worth the wait – especially for the kid’s sake.

     As a point of reference, everyone in the 494^th is due the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Campaign ribbon and medal (usually with 1 to 6 bronze stars) and the WW II Victory ribbon and medal.  Also, everyone, or nearly so, should be due the American Theater Campaign ribbon & medal.  Finally, nearly all the air crews are due the Philippine Liberation ribbon and medal awarded by the Philippine Government.  Since this is a foreign award, you will have to pay for this one.  And speaking of foreign awards, the 494^th also received the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation.  You may not be told about this one, but you are entitled to the "blue, white and red ribbon framed in gold" to be worn above the RIGHT breast pocket, the blue stripe to the wearer's right.  You will also need to buy this on your own.

     Also, most of the air crews received the Air Medal and ribbon.  The Air Medal has a blank back.  This was to allow for the engraving of the recipient’s name.  t strongly recommended that you have your name, including rank at the time, and your unit (494^th BG, 86?th BS) engraved on the back of this and any other medal that has a blank back.  This will set the medal apart from any other that can be found at any Militaria Show (where you can also buy medals and ribbons).

     Finally, at the end of the above web page, you’ll find some information about a "Cold War Recognition Certificate". Most of you are eligible to receive it since you must have been on active duty sometime from September 2, 1945 through December 26, 1991.  If you are eligible, please apply for it. It may not mean much to you, but it’s going to mean a lot to your children and grandchildren.  Remember, your memory will live on in them.  Don’t let them down.  They’re very proud of you.  For more information concerning the application process, visit the Cold War Recognition Certificate webpage.

     A lot of people want to know more about WWII medals and ribbons - What were the qualifications?  Why were they given?  What do the little stars and oak leaves mean?  One very good book on the subject is:  United States Military Medals 1939 to Present, by Col. (ret.) Frank C. Foster and Lawrence H. Borts, ISBN 1-884452-14-0 (hardcover) & 1-884452-15-9 (softcover).  Also there is a lot of information on various websites.  Most of these sites also sell the nedals and ribbons.  The 494th Bombardment Group Association does not endorse the following website.  They are only listed as a convenience;

     If anyone has any questions or problems with any of the above, please contact me at RAF6917@hotmail.com .  I’ll try my best to help.

Randy Faerber (son of Art Faerber, Co-Pilot, 864^th)