How do you get organized to put your or your family's military awards into a display?
It may have been years since you served. You may only have a photograph or a document about your family military service. This site is
designed to help you find the answers and if you have any questions, we are just a phone call, fax, letter or E-mail away.
Our customers tell us their family's military award display is one of their most prized possessions. It occupies a place of honor in their
home and is always the most viewed and commented on by guests. It clearly says your family took an active role in defending freedom. The crushing
defeat of the Nazi and Japanese axis, the collapse of communism and other totalitarian regimes make the United States leader of the free world.
Without our Armed Forces, this could not have happened. Your family's military awards are an important part of American history. They show the high
standards to duty, honor, and country for each generation to see and honor.
With a hundred years combined Army, Navy, Marine and Air Force experience we guide you step by step in putting together an authentic
first-class military awards display.
 
We encourage you to include special mementos and any original medals or insignia you have. (We can re-drape dirty ribbons on your medals.)
Photographs, dog tags, pieces of shrapnel, only your imagination limits what the significant is for you or your family to go in the display case.
We have over 2,000 military medals, ribbons, badges, insignia and patches to put your case together the way you want it. Everything that you
receive in your case will be new and meet or exceed the United States Institute of Heraldry's approved standards.
This catalog is organized so you can turn to your service: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Army Air Force, Merchant Marine, or Coast Guard.
Awards are shown for World War II, Korea, Vietnam and Southwest Asia. Displays show the generally awarded medals with skill badges and suggested
layouts. Commonly awarded foreign medals are displayed in some sample cases along with commemorative medals where appropriate. As you look through
the sample displays, you will see various ways to combine insignia, badges, patches, medals and ribbons with a brass plate to make a very handsome
testimonial to military service.
Military medals come in two types - Decorations and Service Medals. Decorations are individual awards for valor or meritorious service.
They almost always come in a distinctive shape, such as a star, cross or hexagon. Service medals are circular which distinguish them from
decorations. They are awarded for participation or service in a particular campaign, expedition, occupation or emergency duty.
Campaigns, battles, assault landings such as Normandy, and additional awards are indicated by small metal devices attached to the ribbon of
the medal. Attachments come in stars, oak leaf clusters, numerals, etc. and are very important for correctly showing the holder's service. These
attachments and how they are placed are shown in detail in the Medals Department.
There are three basic ways to display awards are: ribbon bars, miniature medals and full size medals. Award displays are always enhanced by
the use of patches, skill badges, uniform insignia and engraved brass nameplates.
We made the display case on the left for a 101st Airborne Vietnam veteran. We placed his Division patch at the top center, with his Sergeant
stripes to the left and his Medical Corps insignia to the right. The Combat Medical Badge and Parachutist Badge are next, just above his eight
ribbons, displayed in the proper order with their attachments. The bronze engraved plate at the bottom center gives his name and rank, and the
date this case was given to the Sergeant as a gift. "Giving" works both ways ... some veterans give a case to their children.
Many veterans have a display made with the miniature medals mounted for wear. The beauty of this design is that it allows the miniatures to
be displayed, and removed for wear. Many veterans also use miniature displays to present to their sons and daughters.
The best and most traditional way to display military honors is full size medals. A veteran's display with full size medals is more valuable
because it represents an individual American veteran's personal accomplishments and has real historical significance. This is, in addition, to the
medals treasured sentiment and important place in family heritage.
Many military medals are by famous artists such as James Earl Frazier, Francis Millet and Paul Manship. Others are by the U.S. Mint or the
Institute of Heraldry. These beautiful medals are more than our nation's grateful acknowledgment of fidelity. They recall the men and women, events,
deeds and circumstances which forged our great country.
When selecting a case size, one size larger than you think is generally best. It provides adequate margin and does not crowd the awards.
Your brass plate should state name, rank and unit. Identify your selection by Case number and background color. Don't crowd your medals, plan on a
generous margin.
We are proud to be recommended by service branches, members of Congress and Veterans groups and are proud to serve you - America's
finest citizen. Put us to work for you today! |