memories and mementos to store in your heart and pass on to your sons.
Several months ago, someone here in SE had posted a link to the National Personnel Records Center. I had utilized that link to inquire about my deceased brother's records and medals he had been awarded during his service with the Army in 1969-71. I finally received a reply from them this past week. This is what they wrote to me:
Dear Ms. Butler,
Thank you for contacting the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). We are pleased to verify entitlement to the folowing awards:
BRONZE STAR MEDAL with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster & "V" Device
PURPLE HEART;
AIR MEDAL
ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL;
NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL;
VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL, with 2 Bronze Service Stars;
COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE (1ST AWARD);
REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM CAMPAIGN RIBBON W/DEVICE;
EXPERT BADGE, with Auto, Rifle & Rifle Bars;
MARKSMAN BADGE, with Machine Gun Bar
This Veteran is entitled to the following Foreign Unit Award(s), however, the Department of the Army does not issue them. They may be purchased from dealers in military insignia:
REPUBLIC OF BIETNAM GALLANTRY CROSS UNIT CITATION W/PALM
********************
Anyway, the letter then goes on to explain what the medals were for, and to provide an Awards Case Number so I can check the status of the request at the website http://veteranmedals.army.mil.
They also sent a copy of the Unit Commander's request for the Bronze Star with "V" Device for my brother that briefly tells the story of what he did to earn it (that was in July 1970).
The website states the medals will be sent to me by mid-May. Gives me something to look forward to.
To whomever it was that posted that link to the website for me to request these things, I say THANK YOU, AND GOD BLESS. Having these items of my brother's, and learning bits and pieces of his time away from home when he was in the service (he was almost 9 years older than I), gives me back a piece of him.
Take care,
Marcia/Oregon/USA

Chowhound
Comic Vine
GameFAQs
GameSpot
Giant Bomb
TechRepublic